Cleaning and Caring for Leather Upholstery

Cleaning and Caring for Leather Upholstery

Every six months or so, your leather upholstery should be cleaned with a mixture of water and mild facial soap (such as Dove or Neutrogena); wash and rinse thoroughly with soft cloth, paying special attention to arm rests and head rests where body oils tend to discolor fabric.
When washing leather upholstery, it is best to use distilled water to avoid discoloration from any chemical contaminants (such as chlorine) that might exist in tap water.
After washing and rinsing, buff your upholstery with a clean white cloth to restore luster.
Periodically you can revive your furniture a mixture of 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts linseed oil. Use a clean white cloth to apply the mixture in a circular motion. Allow it to set for 10 minutes then buff with a clean cloth. You may need to buff the furniture twice before sitting on it.

Additional Tips and Advice

Using a leather protectant (available at most furniture stores) will help keep your leather upholstery looking its best.
Wipe up spills immediately or they may soak into the fibre of your upholstery and will be harder to remove.
NEVER use any kind of oils (such as mink oil), furniture polish, or any product containing waxes or silicone (including many car care products) on leather furniture as it may damage the leather and leave it feeling sticky. Consequently be very careful when using Pledge, or any other type of furniture polish, around your leather pieces.
Generally, it is not good to use saddle soap, varnish, ammonia-based cleaners (i.e. Windex) or bleach on leather, all of which may be too harsh, causing serious damage or discoloration.
To keep your furniture pieces from drying out, avoid placing leather upholstery in direct sunlight and keep at least two feet away from any heat source (i.e. heating vents, fireplaces, radiators, etc.) and air conditioning sources.
NEVER use baby wipes or any other alkaline cleaner on your leather upholstery as it may damage the finish.