There is nothing like the look, feel ― even the smell ― of a new leather sofa. You want to keep your favorite new spot like new for as long as possible, so it’s important to know how to take care of that leather sofa.
Creative Colors International is here to help, providing an easy six-step process to refresh your leather sofa when the time comes.
Leather Sofa Maintenance Statistics
Spills and stains are the two top reasons sofas sustain damage, according to a survey conducted by Allstate. At least 67% of households have “accidentally damaged or stained a piece of furniture.” And at least 61% of the damage occurred during the first two years of ownership. Other common damage includes chips, cracks, scratches, dents, and seam separation, Allstate reports.
Another overlooked reason for leather sofa restoration: overuse. If you're one of the many who unwind on a leather couch, that seat is seeing its fair share of action! Americans are glued to their screens, logging an average of 33 hours a week watching TV – probably in your favorite spot on the leather sofa. Your leather furniture needs some TLC to keep it looking as good as the day you brought it home.
It’s a good rule of thumb to deep clean your leather sofa two times per year. But spot cleaning needs to happen year-round. When you clean your leather couch, avoid using harsh chemicals like ammonia or products with bleach. Using too much water can also cause staining. We recommend using a specialized leather cleaner to get the job done.
Here’s a step-by-step list of how to refresh your leather furniture:
- Loosen the dirt: This helps to lift any embedded dirt, dust, or debris from the surface and in crevices. Be careful to use a brush that won’t scratch the leather. Pay extra attention to seams and areas where grime can accumulate over time.
- Vacuum: Use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to remove any surface dirt or dust that’s settled. Vacuum all over, ensuring you reach into corners, cracks, and hidden spots.
- Wipe down the sofa: Take a clean, damp cloth (make sure it’s not too wet) and wipe the entire surface of the sofa to remove any lingering dust or particles the vacuum might have missed.
- Apply leather cleaner: Spray leather cleaner onto a soft cloth and wipe the couch down. Make sure to apply cleaner to the entire sofa so it doesn’t look blotchy after it dries.
- Apply leather conditioner: To replenish the natural oils in the leather and protect against future wear and tear, apply leather conditioner according to package directions. Rub the conditioner into the leather in a gentle, circular motion.
- Dry: Allow the conditioner to dry and absorb completely into the leather. This can take up to a few hours.
To protect your furniture from damage, invest in protective covers, rotate your furniture, or keep your blinds closed to prevent fading from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. In addition to fading leather and upholstery furniture, UV rays can also damage wood floors, artwork, and photos.
CCI: A Leader in Leather and Vinyl Restoration
If you follow our steps to refresh your leather sofa, and it still looks dingy, it’s time to call in the leather furniture repair professionals at CCI to restore it to like-new condition. Our technicians can fix rips, tears, cuts, burns, fading, and seam slippage to enhance the appearance of your leather items. CCI’s mobile technicians can come to your home or business to get the job done fast.
“I had two tears and some cracked leather on my living room furniture. The repairs are flawless, and the color match is perfect,” said Paula Webb, a satisfied CCI customer.
Our technicians can also provide you with a leather care kit to help you maintain your sofa’s new look. Proper leather care requires cleaning and conditioning regularly to keep it strong and resilient. The CCI Leather Care Kit contains two products — CCI Leather Cleaner and CCI Leather Conditioner. Using these two products helps your leather items remain in top condition.
In addition to leather furniture, CCI makes repairs to cars, planes, RVs, boats, and furniture in commercial businesses. We debuted our first leather and vinyl repair van in 1980 and now have more than 150-plus vans serving customers across the country.
Fill out our online form to learn more about our services and request a free quote today.
