How to clean a leather sofa

LEATHER sofas are not only comfortable and stylish — they have the added bonus of being far simpler to clean than upholstered couches.

Here's everything you need to know about cleaning your leather sofa.

How to clean a leather sofa

Thankfully, leather sofas are incredibly straightforward to clean and any spills can be wiped away easily.

It is recommended that you give your leather sofa a deep clean a couple of times a year if you want to keep it looking like new.

If you're in need of a great cleaning hack to keep your leather couch sparkling, here are the steps you need to follow, according to Furniture And Choice.

You'll need:

• Rubber gloves
• A handheld vacuum cleaner (though this is optional)
• At least two microfibre cloths
• White wine vinegar or gentle soap

Vacuum and wipe

Firstly, wipe off any grime and dirt from the surface of your sofa.

This is a simple but crucial step as it prevents dirt being rubbed into the material when you're wiping it with the cleaning solution.

If you are using a vacuum cleaner, try using the soft brush fitting to avoid scratching the sofa and leaving marks.

A microfibre cloth can be used if you don't have a vacuum cleaner.

Mix up a gentle cleaning solution

Make sure the cleaning solution is as gentle as possible for use on a leather sofa.

A simple solution can be prepared using everyday products you can find in your home.

Many people have had success using a bar of soap to clean their leather sofas.

You can also add a few drops of soap to warm water for a more diluted solution.

Note that mild PH-balanced soaps are preferable for cleaning leather.

You can also make a mixture of half water and half white wine vinegar.

There are also a number soaps made for use on leather available, but beware as these can harden or darken the surfaces of your sofa.

Test it out

Once your solution has been made, test it on a small area of your sofa by adding a small amount to a part that isn't highly visible and letting it dry.

You can then check that your solution hasn't caused any discolouration.

Wipe with a microfibre cloth

Once you're happy the solution is right for your sofa, get your two microfibre cloths ready.

One of the cloths will be used to clean — the other to dry.

Wearing gloves, dunk one of the cloths in the cleaning solution and then wring it out so that it's damp.

If using a bar of soap, wipe the bar against the damp cloth to transfer some soap onto it.

Working from the top to the bottom of the sofa, rub the surfaces gently, ensuring you reach the corners.

Finally, use the second cloth to dry the sofa with a gentle buff.

It is important to make sure the sofa is thoroughly dried to avoid mould or mildew.

How to condition a leather sofa

If you want to take an extra step to keep your sofa looking its best, consider applying a leather conditioner.

These are best applied every six to 12 months, taking care to always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

To condition your sofa:

• Use rubber gloves to apply a small amount to a microfibre cloth
• Work it gently into the leather
• Use a dry cloth to remove any excess and give it time to set (according to the product's instructions for use)

According to car cleaning experts, olive oil is also a great leather conditioner.