Useful tips and recommendations on how and with what to clean a leather sofa at home
A leather sofa is a modern and high-status piece of furniture: it fits perfectly into any interior, combining comfort and durability. However, such a sofa requires regular and proper care.
It is important not only to handle it carefully and wipe the dust daily, but also to clean it as quickly as possible when stains appear.
In this article we will tell you how and with what you can clean a leather sofa at home.
Content
How to remove stains using improvised means?
Folk remedies - the simplest and most inexpensive for cleaning stains on leather upholstery.
If after some time no problems arise, you can start working on the entire surface.
How to clean with soapy water?
Most fresh stains can be removed with a simple solution of liquid or laundry soap, without requiring the use of more aggressive substances and effort.
To prepare a solution with a liquid product, you will need 1 liter of water and 10 drops of soap.
When using laundry soap, you will need a bar no larger than a matchbox and 800 ml of warm, but not hot, water. The soap must be grated or crushed with a knife.
The product must be applied to the contaminated area for 10-15 minutes., and then wash off with a clean damp cloth.
The composition is safe for leather furniture and can be used on a regular basis to keep upholstery clean and fresh.
Vinegar + water
In 0.5 l. water at room temperature must be diluted with 1/3 cup 9% table vinegar, add 1.5 tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of liquid soap or dishwashing detergent.
After applying the liquid, the stains will become brighter, but after drying they will completely disappear.
Hydrogen peroxide
Add 150 ml of hydrogen peroxide to 250 ml of hot but not boiling water and 5 tablespoons of soda, mix thoroughly and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
Apply the product locally, holding the spray bottle at a distance of 10-15 cm from the sofa upholstery, wait a few minutes until the edges of the stains begin to blur.
Directing cold air from a hair dryer onto the surface, dry the moisture until it disappears completely.
Ammonia
Dissolve 1 tablespoon of ammonia in 500 ml of warm water and 10 drops of liquid soap. Use a fluffy rag soaked in the solution to wipe the entire surface of the sofa, paying special attention to dirt.
Without making any effort, swipe over the dirt several times. Then wipe the cleaned area with a mild soap solution.
Ammonia can only be used to get rid of stains on light-colored upholstery., otherwise, it will “eat” the color of darker skin.
Talcum powder or baby powder
This method is effective for removing grease stains; it is powerless for other types of stains.
To 1 tablespoon of talc or baby powder based on it, add 1 tablespoon of table salt. finely ground.
Sprinkle the resulting powder onto the stains in a thick layer, leave for 20-30 minutes, and then remove with a vacuum cleaner.
Wipe the surface with a slightly damp cloth soaked in water with a drop of fabric softener.
Aspirin
The algorithm is as follows:
- Crush an aspirin tablet in a mortar and dilute it in 10 ml of hot, but not boiling, water.
- Apply locally to the stain and rub lightly with a cotton pad or soft microfiber cloth.
- Wipe the entire surface of the sofa with a well-wrung cloth soaked in warm water.
Petrol
In gasoline, purified from impurities, moisten a cotton swab or cotton pad and gently, without applying force, rub the stain.
After removing it, immediately use a soft sponge with a drop of liquid soap or dishwashing detergent to remove any remaining fuel from the upholstery.
After the procedure, to avoid drying out the skin, treat the surface with glycerin.
This method is a last resort, because it harms the capricious leather upholstery of furniture.
It should be used to remove traces of paint, felt-tip pen, ink or nail polish, since these chemicals are difficult to clean with other methods.
Specialized compounds
The choice of household chemicals for removing stains from leather furniture is truly impressive: there is an effective and safe product for every taste and budget.
Wet wipes House Lux
This cleaning method is absolutely safe and suitable for minor stains and stains., napkins do not require additional means, for example, water, and after using them, the upholstery does not need to be rinsed.
An additional advantage of such a cleanser is that it adds shine to the skin and moisturizes it thanks to an organically selected combination of washing and caring ingredients.
The price is also attractive – from 60 rubles for 30 pcs.
Eco Mist
Water-based formulas are safe for children and people with allergies. They do not contain chlorine or petroleum products and are odorless. Contains exclusively natural herbal ingredients.
Despite being environmentally friendly, such products effectively and effortlessly cope with most stains, excluding chemical dyes and old stains.
The cost of a 400 ml bottle starts at 270 rubles.
Bagi Super-skin
A real heavyweight among cleansers falls into the semi-professional category. To work with it, you need a medical mask and household gloves..
It copes with all types of stains, however, furniture should be cleaned in a well-ventilated area due to the high content of chemical components.
The composition contains beeswax, which protects leather products from drying out and cracking, and also restores the natural color and shine. Fragrances give furniture an unobtrusive aroma.
For 400 ml of product produced in a package with a spray bottle, you will have to pay from 400 rubles.
Grass Leather Cleaner
Products in this category are designed for cleaning with subsequent care and prevention of the appearance of new contaminants. They are effective even in the fight against stubborn stains, are quickly absorbed and do not require rinsing.
Glycerin contained in them in large quantities:
- moisturizes the skin,
- adds shine,
- Prevents cracks and scuffs from appearing on furniture.
Thanks to deep penetration into the structure of the upholstery, the solutions protect it from fading and premature loss of color.
Available in a bottle with a spray or in the form of a gel that requires dilution with water. The price for 600 ml varies from 350 rubles.
Cleaning using technology
If the stains that have formed on leather furniture have not had time to dry, a washing vacuum cleaner will help to remove them effectively and quickly.
Before starting work, vacuum thoroughly dust, pet hair and food crumbs from the surface, then apply the cleanser locally where necessary.
In the fight against old and difficult to remove stains, beautiful A steam cleaner will be a helper. The method does not require the application of chemicals, so it is safe and can be used on a regular basis.
The principle of operation is based on the breakdown of contamination by hot steam supplied under high pressure. To get started, just fill the reservoir with water, adding a drop of fabric softener if desired.
In addition to being effective in combating pollution, This method will allow you to disinfect furniture and eliminate any creases that have appeared on the skin. and add shine to the product.
How to wash white or light-colored furniture?
Light skin, especially white skin, looks impressive and bright, but is most susceptible to dirt and stains.
They should be removed as quickly as possible with a soap solution with the addition of ammonia.. This composition is the least dangerous for delicate upholstery, but at the same time it works no worse than chemical agents.
You can also use medical alcohol diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio.
For cleaning white leather furniture toothpaste or tooth powder will do. It is important that their color is white, without colored inclusions.
Just apply a small amount to the stain, rub it with a soft sponge, and then walk over the surface with a well-wrung out microfiber cloth.
Such aggressive substances will lead to disastrous consequences in the form of:
- the appearance of abrasions,
- thinning,
- cracking of the material.
Despite the fact that white leather upholstery is subject to much more stains than darker ones, the range of products for eliminating them is wider, because the risk of whitish spots is minimized.
How to clean a white leather sofa using improvised and inexpensive means:
How to remove scuff marks?
A significant drawback of leather furniture is the appearance of scuffs and scratches. You can restore damaged upholstery using improvised means and special compounds. The chosen method depends only on what is available in the house.
Liquid skin
The most effective restoration method leather products - the use of a composition whose texture resembles gouache, the so-called liquid leather.
It is extremely difficult to find such a product for unusual upholstery colors, but to eliminate defects on a black, white or brown leather sofa, the composition can be purchased at a hardware store.
Apply the paste evenly to the damaged area using a porous sponge., which will create a natural texture of the skin.
All you have to do is wait until it dries completely, which usually takes about 2 hours, after which the product will look like new.
Olive oil
To remove small abrasions, you should soak a cotton pad or piece of soft cloth in sunflower oil so that it is sufficiently damp, then gently rub the damaged area and area around in a circular motion for 3-5 minutes.
In that case, when the defect is more significant, olive oil should be applied in a thick layer to the scratched area, cover it on top with a cotton cloth folded in half without any impurities in the composition.
Leave in this state until the material is saturated with oil. Using a warm iron, unplugged from the outlet, make continuous circular movements over the fabric for 10 seconds.
This will allow the oil to penetrate the skin and fill the defect from the inside. After removing the tissue, leave the oil for 1-2 hours, then use a damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
Shoe polish
Thanks to the wide selection of shoe care products, choosing a cream that matches the color of the sofa upholstery will not be difficult.
Apply a small amount of cream onto a cotton swab or cotton pad. and apply light rubbing movements to the damaged area.
Allow the product to dry, then use a suede or velor cloth to walk over the restored surface several times.
Wax
Both special ones, available in any hardware store, and natural bees are suitable. Enough heat the wax to a low temperature and use a soft cloth to treat the abrasions with it, it will restore the structure of the skin and return it to its original shine.
Which one of methods and means for cleaning a sofa choose, everyone decides for himself.
Conclusion
So, leather is a natural material, unique and extremely capricious. It does not have the ability to self-heal, but like nothing else it is susceptible to various types of contamination and the occurrence of defects.
The original appearance of leather furniture can be preserved only with careful attention to it and regular proper care.
