Furniture upholstery takes more abuse the than you might suppose, especially on pieces that are popular. From natural falling debris such as dust, dirt, hair, pet dander, pet fur/hair, pollen, and other allergens, along with sweat and other such contaminants to potential food and beverage stains, odors, or even pet stains, your upholstery periodically needs tender love and care to keep up on aesthetics, condition and longevity. With regular care, maintenance, and professional deep cleaning, your upholstery can last beyond the projected lifespan. Today, we at Heart of Texas Chem-Dry would like to share some maintenance tips specifically on leather upholstery.

Leather Upholstery Cleaning & Maintenance Tips

1) Leather Upholstery Cleaning. To keep your upholstery in optimal condition, basic cleaning goes a long way. If possible, it is recommended that the leather is wiped down on a daily basis. There is never too much cleaning, if daily hits are a challenge, do as often as possible. At the minimum, utilize a microfiber cloth, dry, and wipe down all the leather; front and back, sides, cushions, under cushions creases, button tufting, and crevices. To increase the depth of cleaning, it is far more optimal to use your vacuum and the upholstery attachment to suck up the debris in a like manner as we suggested the wipe down.
2) Never Use Abrasive Cleaners or Supplies. Liquids should always be avoided when cleaning your leather, in the event you are dealing with a spot, smudge, or blemish, minimum water only should be used. Never use harsh soaps, detergents, cleaning solvents, or ammonia based cleaners on your leather. When treating said blemishes, never use anything more abrasive than a microfiber cloth. Leather is easily scratched and scuffed; cleaners and harsh tools will ruin your leather fast.
3) Leather Conditioning. Leather will dry out if not properly treated, particularly more so in dry climates, it is important that the leather retains moisture to prevent the damage associated with dryness. Periodically apply a conditioning treatment every 6-12 months with an approved leather conditioner. In areas where the temperatures can be extremely hot and the climates that are dry, quarterly conditioning treatments is more ideal. You can easily find leather conditioner in most department or auto stores.
4) Leather Scratch Repair. As previously mentioned, leather upholstery is susceptible to scratches and other such tarnishes. Avoiding any sharp or abrasive implements around your leather can ensure accidents are avoided; but in the event scratches occur, buff them out with a chamois if they are minimal.
5) Avoid Direct Heat. Much like wood for example, leather does not react well to heat, as it causes it to dry out among other damage. To minimize the leather from contacting heat sources, do not set them in direct sunlight, radiators, fire places, and heaters. In cases of extreme dryness, leather can become irreparable.

Symptoms of Dried Out Leather that Needs Restoring

– Fading colors
– Surface will become stiff
– Crack and splits will emerge
6) Address Leather Spills Immediately. Just because you implement the “no eating or drinking” rule on your leather, doesn’t mean the residents always comply. In the event an accidental spill happens, whether it is food, beverage, or other such instances, it is crucial that these spills get wiped away and treated as soon as possible. Stick to dry microfiber cloths to absorb the potential stains. If a residue lingers, use a lightly dampened cloth to wipe away the remaining crust and immediately use a dry cloth to remove moisture left behind.

Leather Upholstery Cleaning & More in Waco, Dallas, Harker Heights, Cedar Park, Allen & the State of Texas

Leather and other fabrics used in upholstery need routine cleaning and care for the overall condition, preservation, and appearance. With the help of annual professional cleaning and treatment application, your leather and other upholstery can be optimal condition for years to come. Contact Heart of Texas Chem-Dry today for your professional upholstery cleaning service!