Leather Upholstered Sofa - Care Instructions

Leather sofas can last a lifetime if looked after well. They build character as they age, which is not something you can say about any other material. Hence, it pays dividend to pay it the time and attention it deserves. We have written this guide to help you keep your sofa in tip top condition for years to come.

Please beware that dye from some clothing (none colour fast clothing) can transfer onto leather/fabric, which is more noticeable on lighter shades of leather and fabric materials. Please check the labels on your clothing.

Clean your leather sofa regularly

You may think a leather sofa doesn't need as much cleaning as a fabric one. On the contrary, they need to be cleaned just as often. We recommend once to twice a week at the bare minimum.

Just follow these steps. 

1. Using a dry soft cloth, dust down every part of the sofa. For hard to reach places, use a vacuum cleaner. Please make sure you are using the softest brush head to avoid damaging the leather.

2. Remember, leather doesn't like getting soaked. So using a slightly damp cloth go over your sofa once more. We always recommend using distilled water, since the level of chlorine in some parts of the world can be too high. It's best to avoid using any tap water and never use any detergents or cleaning products.

3. Leave the sofa to totally dry before using it, as you may find the leather lose it's shape. It is best to do the cleaning right before bed, to ensure the sofa is not used.

4. Apply a good leather conditioner every 6 to 12 months. This will help the leather to maintain its own natural oils, keeping it soft and supple for many years to come. Avoid conditioners that contain silicone or wax, as these will make the surface sticky.

    

Keep out of direct sun light and extreme heat

Leather is prone to cracks, and the only way you can keep them at bay is by keeping your sofa soft and supple. Direct sunlight, fireplaces, radiators and warm/hot pipes have a devastating effect on leather, as they dry out the natural oils leaving it exposed to the elements.

Plump up your cushions to maintain form and prolong life span

Alongside an everyday cleaning regime, it’s essential to plump up your sofas cushion seats, arms and back to ensure your sofa maintains its shape and provides you with optimum support. This is especially important if your sofa is filled with feathers or loose fibres. Since they are not as resilient as high density foam and cannot return to their original shape. This will also reduce the amount of feather that can escape through their casing and reduces the frequency of re-filling the feathers.

Tackling spills and stains

Although leather has a reputation for being more stain resistance, it can still be marked by accidental spills. Be quick, once there is a spill time is of the essence. First, remove as much of the liquid as possible by using kitchen towels or dry cotton cloth. Do not rub, just blot the affected area. Rubbing or wiping would ingrain the stain into the leathers pigmentation.

If you act quick enough, the majority of accidents can be taken care of just by blotting up the spillage. For the more stubborn stains you may need the services of a professional cleaning company. Please do not attempt treating stains with detergents or leather cleaning products.

Grease and oil stains – We strongly suggest using a professional cleaner with the know how and the right tools to remove such stains.

Wine stains – If acted quickly, you should be able to avoid any marking by blotting up the wine with a soft microfiber cloth. If there is still any visible marks, using mild soap and water mix up a solution in a bowl until you have a good layer of foam on the top. Use a sponge and take only the foam (no liquid at all) and apply it to the affected area. Then let it dry and condition the entire sofa. If there are still any marks, please contact a professional.

Other things to watch out for

Leaving none colour-fast items of clothing, throws, scatter cushions, etc. on your sofa risks the transference of the colour onto the leather. These types of stains are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to remove. Always check the labels of clothing and other materials and keep well away from your leather sofa.

Jeans and clothing with studs, buckles or sharp buttons can scratch or scuff the leather. Take care when using forks, knives, scissors, etc. while on the sofa.

If your pets are allowed to use the sofa, you may find it more convenient to cover their space with a special blanket so they don't accidentally damage the leather with they claws.

Caring for your fabric sofas from Daia Home

Here at Daia Home, you can be assured that the leather used on your sofa is of outstanding quality. Every part and material is carefully chosen with longevity and luxury in mind. We see each piece as a work of art that needs preserving, so that they can be relished for years to come.