How Often To Condition A Leather Couch

Your leather couch is a focal part of your family's life, and the only way to keep it looking clean is to care for it regularly. Much like leather shoes, leather furniture needs regular cleaning and care to help it stay supple and bright. Here are handy hints to tell you how to clean, and how often to clean your leather couch.

How to prevent your leather couch from drying out:

DO:
1. EVERY WEEK: Vacuum your couch, then wipe it down with a damp cloth. This helps keep the leather soft and supple, as well as removing any body oil or food spills that may dry out the leather.
2. EVERY TWO MONTHS: Condition your couch with a leather conditioning product. Pay particular attention to areas of heavy wearing, and areas where your family's skin and hair come into direct with the couch. A good quality conditioning product removes body oils as well as adding gentle, leather-specific moisture to keep your couch from cracking.
3. ASAP: Wipe up spills as soon as they occur with a dry, absorbent cloth.
4. ASAP: Use a microfiber cloth to resolve scratches.

DON'T
1. Do not use a coloured cloth on your leather couch. The colour may transfer to your leather causing staining.
2. Don't place your couch directly underneath an air conditioning or heating unit.
3. Don't place your couch in direct sunlight
4. Don't place your couch near ground heaters or fireplaces as it can shrink and dry out the leather
5. Don't use normal household cleaning products such as solvents or ammonia on your couch as it can damage and dry out the leather.
6. Don't use detergent on oil or butter spots. Wipe with a clean, dry cloth, then leave the spot alone as the oils will absorb into the leather over time. If the stain remains, use your leather cleaning product or ask a specialist for help.

How to prevent your leather couch from getting mouldy

If you live in a humid climate, you may notice black or white spots forming on your leather couch. These spots are usually mould or mildew that form on moist, warm and dark areas of your furniture.

1. EVERY TWO MONTHS: Ensure your leather conditioning product con-tains a mould inhibitor. Most great products will, and can be used every two months for heavy use couches. If you don't use your couch very often though, use a leather conditioning product every four months.
2. ASAP: Wipe up spills with a damp cloth as soon as they occur, and let your couch air dry by opening windows and doors to enhance airflow. Ensure the spot is dry within a few hours to prevent mould growth.

While mould and dryness can prematurely age your leather couch, most leather couches last a lifetime when you look after them. Always spot test your leather cleaner, and use the tips above to help your family enjoy your leather couch for many years to come.

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash