How to Care for Your Leather Couch and Keep It Looking Fresh

Selecting the right cleaner for your leather sofa—and knowing the proper method to apply it—will help maintain its sleek, new appearance. Like any piece of furniture, regular use can lead to minor damages or stains. However, leather is exceptionally tough and has a long lifespan.

In addition, leather couches are a great choice for homes with children and pets, offering both style and practicality. To perfect your leather cleaning routine, we consulted a professional cleaning expert. Follow these suggestions to breathe new life into your leather sofa.

How Often Should You Clean Your Leather Couch?

For deep cleaning, aim to clean your leather couch once or twice a year, depending on its color and how many stains it has. Expert cleaner John Mahdessian suggests cleaning lighter leather every six months, while darker leather can be cleaned annually—this applies to leather recliners as well.

It’s important to address stains promptly, and leather sofas should be vacuumed and dusted regularly, ideally every one to two weeks.

Things to Consider Before You Begin

Before cleaning your leather sofa, check whether it's still under warranty. Manufacturers often provide specific cleaning instructions, and failing to follow them could void your warranty. Always adhere to the manufacturer's guidelines and keep these tips in mind:

• Avoid applying harsh chemicals to your leather sofa, such as alcohol, ammonia, leather shoe polish, or bleach-based products. These substances can damage the leather and are not intended for use on furniture. • Don’t use sanitizing wipes or sprays as they can harm the leather’s finish. • Be cautious with water—excess moisture can leave stains. It’s best to use a damp cloth instead of a soaking wet one.

How to Clean a Leather Sofa Using Leather Cleaner

For regular cleaning, a traditional leather cleaner designed for furniture works wonders in keeping your leather sofa looking its best. Leather cleaners break down dirt and stains, with some products offering a 2-in-1 formula that includes both a cleaner and a conditioner. You can also use separate cleaner and conditioner products for optimal results.

Essential Items You’ll Need

• Vacuum • Duster (optional) • Microfiber cloths • Leather cleaner and conditioner

Step 1: Vacuum and Dust Your Couch

• Vacuum your leather sofa to remove any crumbs and debris. • Dust the surface if needed to eliminate any remaining dirt. • If your couch cushions are removable, take them off and vacuum underneath. Don’t forget to vacuum the edges of the cushions and the couch frame. • For recliners, be sure to check the bottom, as dirt tends to collect in the crevice where the chair reclines.

Step 2: Apply Leather Cleaner to a Cloth

Instead of spraying the cleaner directly on the furniture, spray it onto a cloth. This method helps prevent unsightly spray marks on your leather sofa.

Step 3: Wipe Down the Couch

Begin by gently wiping the cloth across the top of the couch, making sure to clean the edges and all the hard-to-reach spots. Work your way from top to bottom to avoid uneven streaks. Add more cleaner to the cloth as needed, but avoid soaking it.

Step 4: Apply Leather Conditioner

After cleaning, wipe away any leftover cleaner before conditioning the leather. Take your preferred leather conditioner (whether spray or bottle form) and apply a small amount to a clean cloth, then gently rub it into the couch. Conditioners like Leather Honey are excellent for infusing oils that refresh the leather, leaving it smelling great and well-moisturized.

Step 5: Let the Conditioner Dry

Once you've finished working the conditioner into the leather, allow it to sit for about an hour to absorb and dry. This helps prevent any oil transfer onto clothes. After it dries, your leather couch will look as good as new, just like when you first bought it.

How to Clean Your Leather Couch Using Dish Soap

Fortunately, leather couches are less porous than upholstered ones, making them easier to clean. If you don't have a specialized leather cleaner or prefer to avoid chemicals, mild dish soap can help keep your sofa looking fresh. For best results, use distilled water to avoid water stains, and be cautious not to oversaturate the leather.

What You’ll Need

• Distilled water
• Dish liquid
• Microfiber cloths

Step 1: Vacuum or Dust the Couch

Use a dry microfiber cloth or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove crumbs, lint, and other loose debris from the surface of the couch.

Step 2: Clean With Soap and Water

In a large bowl, mix a few drops of mild dish soap with distilled water. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution, ensuring it's moist but not dripping wet. Gently wipe the entire surface of the couch, repeating as needed, and be sure to rinse the cloth regularly.

Step 3: Rinse the Couch Using Distilled Water

Take a second microfiber cloth, dampen it with distilled water, wring it out, and use it to wipe off any soap residue from the surface. Be cautious not to use too much water. Finish by drying the couch with a clean, dry microfiber cloth and apply a leather conditioner for extra care.

How to Remove Grease Stains From a Leather Sofa

Grease stains can appear on your leather couch from things like hair products, lotions, greasy food, and even your pets. While leather conditioner offers some protection, natural leather is slightly porous, and you may still get grease spots. Here’s how to remove them:

1. For fresh stains, blot the affected area (don’t rub!) with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to soak up as much grease as possible.
2. Sprinkle cornstarch over the stain to absorb the oil. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or longer depending on the severity of the stain. You may need to leave it overnight.
3. Afterwards, use another clean microfiber cloth to blot away the cornstarch. Clean the area with either leather cleaner or dish soap as described above.
4. Let the couch dry. Don’t skip this step! Remember, water can weaken leather, so it’s important to wipe down the couch with a dry rag from top to bottom to absorb any excess moisture.

How to Keep Your Leather Sofa Clean for Longer

The first rule of leather care? "Keep it out of the sun," advises Mahdessian, to prevent fading. This applies to faux leather too, which is often used in more affordable sofas. Additionally, keep your leather couch away from heat sources like fireplaces or radiators, as excessive heat can cause the leather to crack.

"Mahdessian recommends using home furniture polish on your leather once a month to give it a beautiful shine. Furniture polish, a waxy product typically designed for wood, can be used on leather to help preserve its surface. With regular use, this will keep your leather refreshed and looking like new for years to come with minimal effort."

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can you remove scratches from leather furniture?

  For minor scratches or gouges, a leather conditioner can help blend the damaged area into the rest of the leather. For deeper scratches or tears, leather glue or a repair kit with a color-matching filler can be used. While some people recommend natural oils like olive oil for surface scratches, this may cause discoloration and stains on the leather.

• How do you keep leather furniture smelling fresh?

  Baking soda is a great natural deodorizer. Sprinkle it on your leather furniture and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Be sure not to leave it too long to avoid drying out the leather. Afterward, gently brush it off and vacuum the surface thoroughly using a brush attachment. Finish with a leather conditioner to restore moisture.

• Is it safe to use Febreze on a leather couch?

  Avoid using Febreze on leather furniture! Since Febreze contains alcohol, it can cause permanent damage to your leather couch. Instead, try using a natural deodorizer like a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and distilled water to freshen up your couch. Alternatively, lightly mist the air around the furniture with an odor eliminator rather than applying it directly to the leather.