How do I clean a leather armchair?

12 July 2022

A beautiful leather sofa is luxurious, and if you want to make sure it stays that way, you need to know how to clean leather. Wear and tear, of course, is inevitable; we’ll never tell you to stop overdoing it on Netflix.

But as long as you clean and maintain your leather properly, the material will only improve over time. You know, like a fine wine.

“The best way to think about leather is that it’s like your skin. Good-quality aniline leather is a natural, breathable material; it changes over time,” explains the furniture designer Timothy Oulton . And just like skin, leather needs regular care to keep it in tip-top shape.

Lightly grained full-grain leather sofas , aniline leathers and all other leather furniture should be dusted with a dry cloth. They should also receive a monthly application of leather cream to preserve the material’s suppleness and hydration.

Leather cream is also used to clean any dirt or stains that arise.

We asked Oulton and Christophe Pourny, New York-based restoration expert and author of The Furniture Bible, to share their top tips on cleaning sofas and other leather furniture. As well as secrets for giving new life to rooms in poor condition.

1. Gather your materials

Here are the cleaning products you’ll need to tidy up your leather surfaces:

Saddle soap
Water
Leather cream
Soft cloth
Rubbing alcohol
Cotton buds

2. Start with soap and water

To treat light stains, soak a clean, damp washcloth in warm, soapy water. Use it to wipe the stain from your leather. “There are specific soaps for leather, generally called saddle soaps,” explains Mr. Pourny.

Darker stains, like those from an ink pen, are another story. According to Pourny, “a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol (or isopropyl alcohol) can do the trick”. Just make sure you apply it directly to the stain, so that the alcohol doesn’t spread the stain over more of the leather.

3. Dry the leather thoroughly

Be sure to dry the leather thoroughly with another clean, dry cloth to prevent mildew. Leave overnight.

4. Apply leather cream

Rehydrate the material by applying leather cream with a clean cloth. Let it penetrate, then polish to a shine if desired. At this stage, the cream acts as a moisturizer and stain remover for the leather, and in 80% of cases, the stain will be permanently removed.

Leather care tips

Now that you know how to clean leather like a pro, here are a few more tips on how to maintain leather furniture to last a lifetime.

Be aware that some leathers are made to look older.

Aniline-dyed leather furniture, where the dye penetrates the entire material, is not only durable, it’s also designed to look as if it’s lived in, explains Oulton.

“Rather than covering and sealing the surface with a colored coating, we work the dyes and waxes into the leather by hand. This gives the impression that the furniture wears and doesn’t wear. It’s very easy to live with, and develops a rich patina over time.”

Design your furniture layout to protect the leather.

“In most cases, it’s the ambient conditions that lead to leather cracking extreme temperatures and lack of humidity,” explains Oulton. “Placing a sofa right under your air conditioning or next to a radiator or in front of a roaring fire will dry out the leather.”

Sunlight can also have this effect, says Pourney, so avoid putting furniture right next to a window or glass door, or hang light-blocking curtains.

Keep pets away from leather furniture.

Cats, and sometimes dogs, will use leather as a (very expensive) scratching post, so teach them to stay away from the sofa. “I think this is the biggest cause of damage we hear about from customers who call the studio.”

If the leather cuts or tears, turn to a professional for help.

Don’t risk further damage to the leather by trying to repair it. Cleaning leather is a DIY job, but repairing it is not.

“For large cuts, we recommend contacting a professional who can blend the color and texture by applying heat, and make repairs to the leather,” explains Pourny.

Speaking of professionals, take any furniture or leather goods to a cobbler or leather care expert rather than a dry cleaner.

If this doesn’t work, go to a shoe repair shop or a respected leather care expert for help. “Even if it’s a bit controversial, avoid taking your garment to your local cleaner, even if they advertise suede and leather care,” says Pourny.

“I don’t know anyone who’s had much luck with them, and the damage will be irreversible.”

Can I use vinegar to clean my leather sofa?

White vinegar can be used to clean a leather sofa , but first test the solution in an inconspicuous area.

Mix equal parts water and vinegar, then wipe the sofa with a microfiber cloth. Work from top to bottom, occasionally rinsing the cloth in the homemade cleaning solution,” explains Lucy Searle, editor-in-chief of Homes & Gardens.

Make sure the cloth is just damp, not wet, to avoid damaging the leather, and work gently.

Dry the sofa with a clean, soft towel.

You can remove ink from leather with vinegar, but do so with caution.

Can I use dish soap to clean my leather sofa?

You can use washing-up liquid to clean a leather sofa. To clean leather, always use a mild dishwashing soap,” explains Lucy Searle. Mix it with warm water in a bowl and use it to moisten a microfiber cloth, then wipe the sofa with this solution.

Use a cloth dampened with plain water to wipe a second time, and dry with a third cloth. Be sure to follow the same rule that applies to leather: work gently and never rub.