Leather furniture is among the most expensive because leather itself is a synonym of sophistication, beauty, and high quality. So it can be quite painful to see your leather sofa ruined after only a few years of owning it because of improper maintenance.
Not to worry, though, as there are ways to make your old couch look just like new, which is what we’ve decided to write about in this article. If you keep reading, you will find that bringing new life to your old couch isn’t at all complicated.
How to Make Leather Couches Look New in a Few Steps
Even though leather couches last a long time, they may become damaged and worn with continuous daily use. They can also suffer from constant wear, just like any other piece of furniture, depending on how people use them.
The degree of wear depends on the maintenance level, as cleaned and maintained leather couches will have a longer life expectancy and look better. So, to help you extend the life of your couch, we will list several steps in which you can act to preserve its leather and make it look refreshed and new.
Also read: How to Make a Daybed Look Like a Couch
First, thoroughly vacuum the couch
To start the renewal process, you first need to clean the leather couch of all the accumulated dirt over time. To do this, you will need to use a vacuum cleaner, and since the couches’ leather can easily be scratched, we would also advise using a brush attachment with it.
If the couch has leather pillows or cushions you can take off, then make sure to remove them and vacuum underneath. Also, make sure to go through each crack and corner of the couch as much as possible to remove all the dust before proceeding to the next step.
Second, use a special leather cleaner with a soft cloth
The next step is to remove any dust or dirt embedded into the leather over time with constant use. The preferable way to do this is using a special leather cleaning solution, but you can also use one part warm water mixed with one part vinegar.
Using a soft microfiber cloth that has been damped in either one of the solutions, slowly wipe the leather of your couch without applying too much force. Let the solutions work while you perform the wiping in a circular motion.
Third (optional), focus on removing stains
This step is optional, and you should only do it if there are hard to remove stains on your leather couch. Depending on the stain, you will also have to use different solutions.
The most common stain type is oil or grease, often from eating fried food on the couch. These stains can be effectively removed using baking soda as a softening and absorbing agent. Simply apply the baking soda to the stain and leave it for a few hours to soften and transfer itself into the agent. After that, wipe the area with a soft dry cloth.
You can use lemon juice mixed with starch to remove other food stains and stains caused by blood. The solution consists of one part lemon juice and two parts starch and has a thick, paste-like consistency.
If an ink stain is a problem, you can rub alcohol with over 70% isopropyl alcohol. Be careful when removing them, though, as there is a risk of spreading the stain if you rub wider circles across the leather.
Fourth, shine the surface and protect it with a leather conditioner
The last step of the renewal process involves wiping your leather couch with a dry cloth, buffing the leather, and drying any damp areas. Using slow circular motions with a microfiber cloth gives the best results.
To preserve the leather further, you can use a special leather conditioner which you can buy at any leather products store. The conditioner will give freshness to the leather, making your couch shine and look brand new.
Read more: How to Clean a Polyester Couch
Tips to Extend the Life of Leather Couches
Even if you know how to make leather couches look new and durable, you can extend that durability even more if you maintain it properly.
Preserving your leather couch doesn’t just mean frequent cleaning and renewal of the leather, but it also means taking some steps to prevent frequent and permanent damage to it.
Here are some basic guidelines you should follow if you want to extend the life of your leather couch as much as possible.
Avoid placing the leather couch in direct sunlight
Sunlight is one of leather’s worst enemies, as both the heat and UV light will cause it to become dry and form cracks. Direct sunlight will also fade the color of the leather, making it very difficult to restore it later.
Clean any spills and stains as quickly as possible
To prevent spills from becoming permanent stains, you must clean them as soon as possible. Once the leather absorbs the spill, it is hard to remove. Even though leather is not as easily stained as other materials, the damage is the same, and you should deal with it sooner rather than postpone its cleaning for later.
Remove minor scratches frequently
Minor scratches tend to become big scratches over time, so it’s a good idea to buff them out as soon as possible. You can do this easily with a dry microfiber cloth, wiping them in a smooth circular motion.
Also read: How to Clean a Velvet Couch
Conclusion
Regular maintenance of your leather couch will drastically extend its life. This means thorough cleaning at least once or twice a year. Weekly vacuuming with a brush extension is essential in removing dirt that accumulates on the leather and is slowly absorbed over time.
Try to use a high-quality leather conditioner to protect the leather from water, sweat, and spillage. The above-mentioned steps showed you how to make leather couches look new, so try your best to apply them.
