How to Clean a Leather Sofa

Leather furniture requires specific methods of care. With regular maintenance and the right products, you can keep a leather sofa  clean and in good condition. Use the tips below to clean your leather sofa.

EditSteps

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   Vacuum in between the sofa's seat cushions. Using a hose attachment with the vacuum is the best way to clean the hard-to-reach areas. Vacuuming ensures that dust and dirt will not be pressed into the leather as you continue  the cleaning process.
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   Select a cleaner. Common cleaners include saddle soap and leather dew. Ensure that any products you use to clean the sofa are safe for leather.
   • Test the cleaner on a spot that is not easily visible before using it on the entire sofa. Make sure that the leather has dried fully and that no stains or discolorations are left behind before using the product on the entire sofa.
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   Dampen the cloth. A cloth that is too wet will leave stains on the leather.
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   Apply  the cleaning product. Dip the damp cloth into the cleaning product. Applying medium pressure, wipe the cloth over one cushion.
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   Rinse the cloth in clean water. Rinsing the cloth will keep you from carrying dirt from one cushion to another. Alternate wiping one cushion and rinsing the cloth until you have cleaned the entire surface of the sofa.
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   Rinse the sofa. With a clean, damp cloth, wipe each cushion again, rinsing the cloth in clean water after each pass over a cushion. Do not use a cleaning product for this round, since you are rinsing the surface that you just washed.
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   Dry the sofa. Pass a dry cloth over the cushions to buff the sofa and make the leather shine.Dry the cushions as soon as possible after washing and rinsing them.
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   Eliminate stains. Apply a small amount of toothpaste or hairspray to stains. After a few minutes, use a damp rag to wipe the stained area. If the stain does not come off, do not scrub it, as you may damage the leather. Call a professional cleaner to remove tough stains.
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    Finished.