Leather Furniture Care: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leather furniture can last a long time if well cared for. However, many people do not understand the correct way to care for leather furniture, and end up making these common mistakes. Here are 8 things you should avoid doing when carrying out leather furniture care.

Not doing a patch test

Every single product you use to clean your leather should be patch tested first - even products designed for leather. Use a hidden area and use the product as directed, checking carefully for any discolouration or wear. This could save you from accidentally ruining a whole sofa!

Acting too slowly

If you have a house full of people, it can be tempting to leave spillages until everyone has left. However, any stain should be tackled as soon as possible to prevent it from soaking into your furniture and leaving a permanent mark. Always blot instead of scrubbing, to avoid driving the stain in further. 

Using heat to dry it

Leather is very malleable when warm, so you could warp the shape of your furniture forever. It can also dry out your leather too quickly, leading to cracks and faster weathering. Instead, let your sofa air dry. 

Using regular cleaning products 

Many people dismiss products specifically designed for leather furniture care as an unnecessary expense, but they are specially formulated to clean leather. Using your existing cleaning products could lead to damage, particularly if you use something with bleach in. Instead, look for specialist leather care products or hire a professional leather cleaner.

Trying internet cleaning hacks

There are many online ‘hacks’ encouraging the use of household items for leather furniture care. For example, hairspray won't really fix peeling leather, and the chemicals in it will actually age your furniture faster! Another popular myth is using food oils to condition leather, which can lead to rotting and poor smells. Be careful when trying anything not designed for leather - if it feels too easy, it probably is! 

Using too much water

Leather is very porous, so it absorbs water. Using a damp cloth is a good way to manage regular leather furniture care, but be careful that it is not soaking – and consider the type of leather (see below). Applying too much water to your sofa could leave it trapped in the upholstery, leading to mould.

If a damp cloth is suitable for your type of leather, be sure to clean panel by panel so any effect on the leather is consistent.

Treating all leather the same

There are a multitude of different kinds of leather, and they all need to be cared for in specific ways. You should read the label of your furniture to find what kind of leather it contains, then use this to purchase the appropriate products. You may find that your house contains many different kinds of leather furniture!

For example, putting a damp cloth on pigmented leather may be fine, but on aniline it’s not so great – and putting any water on Nubuck leather could ruin it.

Not using a professional cleaner

A professional cleaner has specialist products designed to clean your leather and other upholstery. Located all over the country, every National Carpet Cleaners Association cleaner is accredited for their expert hands. Our directory helps you to find nearby cleaners using only your postcode and the job you need doing. 

Search our directory for local carpet cleaners