How do you clean leather-based furniture?

You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner. (LTT Leather Shampoo) With light coloured leather dye transfer from clothing can be a problem although using a good quality leather protector (LTT Leather Protect) will help inhibit this. Black obviously does not show this problem.

DO NOT use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones. (Most 'conditioners' contain waxes or oils) and furniture polish (pledge) contains silicones which will eventually destroy the finish on the leather. Most car cleaners also contain oils or waxes so should not be used as they leave residues on the surface of the leather which attract more dirt which eventually leads to cracking.

BABY WIPES are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkiline cleaners to neutralise urine (acid) on babys skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.

Saddle soap is too harsh to use on todays leathers.

A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it. They are not cheap in the long run as you would need a lot to clean. A bottle of foam cleaner should do your car about 3-4 times.

Fairy liquid contains more salt these days to get dishes clean and this will break the finish down on your leather. This has been verified by the manufacturers (as with the baby wipes).

You should also follow cleaning with a good water based leather protector which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.

Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. Wiping over with a damp cloth regularly will help to do this.

It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of body oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this. The only 'moisturizer' a leather needs is from water.

The alternative is a brand new product on the market called Lazy Leather. This is the latest technology in cleaning and combines an effective cleaner with a protector. It is quick and easy to use and should be used as a maintenance product once your suite has been cleaned or from new if you have just bought it.

Using incorrect care products is usually the cause of deterioration in the leather as unfortunately most car care products contain waxes and oils or silicones which do not do the leather any good.

Source(s):

Leather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries

Professional knowledge

I went to the boot store where i bought my boots told them about my leather furniture and they gave me the stuff alot cheaper than the furniture place, try that

Here by are the caring and conditioning skills you need to master:

1. Wipe the dirt with damp cloth

   Use a damp cloth to remove the dirt. While using a wet cloth will destroy the texture of the leather completely. Wipe the sofa regularly, as the dirt is not always easy to see.

2. Using leather cleaning cream

   Remove the stains by using leather cleaning cream. Daubing the cream onto the leather with a piece of dry cloth. If you use detergents which contain chemicals, you will permanently destroy the leather.

3. Adopt leather conditioner

   Every time you have cleaned the leather, use a dry cloth with leather conditioner and move in a circular motion. After about 15 minutes, use another dry cloth to wipe the sofa again. You will see a shinning sofa same as it was delivered to your home.

4. Using wax or oil replenishing product

   The leather was coated with wax or oil by the manufacturer. It is irresistible that the coat will be worn after your daily use.

5. Using petroleum jelly regularly

   Soften sofa will become dry and rough as time passes. So applying petroleum jelly regularly and then wipe the grease away with a dry cloth, making sure not to remain any grease on the sofa.