Leather furniture invites an element opulence and luxury into your space. Unlike some of the refinements that you can have in your space, leather provides an ideal interior décor that is complete on its own. The numerous colour options and designs and that is what makes leather materials stand out. However, maintaining the leather in good condition for a longer lifespan can be a challenge for most homeowners.
Most of the available options for treating leather can get pretty expensive, especially if you have invested in a lot of leather furniture. Fortunately, there many affordable homemade hacks you can use to keep your leather furniture in good condition for a long time. That’s what we are providing you within this handy guide. Here are some of the best:
1. Clean and Condition Regularly
One of the treatments that can help maintain your leather in good condition for a long time is regular conditioning. Considering that leather is a natural material, you need to condition it at least every six months. This helps to give it a new lifespan after signs of wearing out. Through regular conditioning, you will be able to maintain its original softness and suppleness. That’s what will keep your furniture looking new as well as comfortable to sit on. Use a homemade leather conditioner since it is effective and cost-effective.
2. Keep Away Sharp Objects
One of the things that you must deal with is sharp objects near your leather furniture. Sharp objects such as knives, razor blades and other objects are some of the biggest threats to your furniture. They usually cause tearing and scratching of the leather, making it lose its original appeal. So, keep them away from your furniture to avoid damages. This tip is also very crucial in you have got children in the house. In addition to that, do not use your nails to remove stains on the leather furniture.
3. Avoid Ammonia/Alkaline Products
The choice of cleaning products for your leather material is crucial when it comes to furniture lifespan. There are several things that you need to take into consideration. One of them is the corrosiveness of the products. Avoid any ammonia or alkaline products for the cleaning of leather furniture as they may cause permanent damages to your leather. There are also some products that have some acidic components. Stay clear of these products if you want your leather to last longer.
4. Wipe with Soft Cloth Or Sponge
Removing dust and crumbs on the leather is another factor that would greatly determine the lifespan of your furniture. However, how you do, it would greatly determine the longevity of your furniture. You need to very soft materials to wipe dust and crumbs off your leather furniture. Cleaning wipes can be a bit expensive, especially if you have invested in many leather furniture and stuff in the house. We, therefore, recommend the use of soft cloth or sponge to remove.
5. Avoid Direct Sunlight
One of the biggest threats to leather material is direct sunlight. When you place your leather furniture in the sun, the material will not only fade away but will also significantly reduce the lifespan of the leather material. Apart from fading, hardening and cracks are also some of the most common effects of the sun. Therefore, keep your leather furniture away from windows to avoid direct sunlight. You can also have blinds on the window to block direct sunlight. If you want to have furniture in your outdoor deck, then you need to have the deck roofed.
6. Use A Hairdryer
One of the reasons why your leather could wear out really fast is because of stretches that develop over time. They make the furniture look old, hence losing its appeal. However, some of the things that you cannot prevent from happening. Fortunately, there are ways that you can deal with it. Using a hairdryer is one of the best ways that you can get rid of stretches on your leather. Just set the hairdryer at a higher temperature and slowly heat up the stretch areas of the leather. It will shrink back and regain its original look.
7. Vacuuming Regularly
Wiping off the dust on leather furniture may not provide the desired results in the long run. That is why a more effective approach should be used to help improve the lifespan of the leather furniture. Vacuuming is one of the best ways to get rid of stubborn dirt and crumbs stuck on the leather. But to get the best results, you need to attach a soft brush to remove crumbs easily. Make sure that you are vacuuming every part of the furniture.
8. Cover It
If you don’t have time for regular cleaning and conditioning, then you need to consider covering your leather furniture. What you need is to buy sheets that will be able to cover the entire furniture for the time you will not be using it. If you are rarely at home or have a lot of furniture, some of which you don’t really use, then consider covering them with a clean sheet. You will be able to maintain them in good condition for a longer time.
9. Clean Stains and Spills ASAP
If you notice stains or spills on the leather, you must get rid of immediately. Spills and stains are some of the biggest causes of damages on leather furniture, and they can greatly reduce the lifespan of your furniture. They can also cause discolouration on the leather surface hence making the furniture look old and worn out.
10. Dust Regularly
Dusting your leather furniture frequently will have a huge impact on its lifespan. You can use a dust rag cleaner every week to keep your furniture free of dust and crumbs. With that, you will maintain your leather looking new for a long time.
If you have invested in leather furniture, then you must figure out the best DIY ways to maintain leather in good condition. That’s how you get value for money and keep your space looking good. With these DIY tips for maintaining leather furniture, it will cost you very little, if any, to treat your leather furniture for a longer time.
