Everyone likes the class and elegance of leather, so when it comes to choosing furniture, the choice is always for leather. But having bought it, how does one maintain it inexpensively and yet have it looking like a million dollars? Here are some DIY tips for cleaning leather furniture that you can try and see the difference:
Tips for cleaning leather furniture
#1. Vinegar and linseed oil: To take the best care of your leather furniture, make a solution of white vinegar and linseed oil in a 1:2 ratio. Shake well and apply it to your furniture, dipping soft cloth in it. Use a circular motion to clean the area under cleaning. Rub it into the leather upholstery thoroughly and let it remain for about 10 minutes. Wipe it using a dry cloth and see the shine on your upholstery. This will keep your upholstery supple.
#2. Alcohol: If your leather upholstery is stained, you can get rid of them by dipping a cotton swab in alcohol and rubbing it on the spot. Dry the part of your leather upholstery that you just dipped in alcohol using a blow dryer. If you still see remnants of the stain after it has dried, apply a thick coat of non-oily nail paint remover. Keep it on overnight and remove with a damp cloth.
#3. Olive oil and white vinegar: If your leather furniture has started to look dull and worn out, restore its earlier look by cleaning it with ¼ cup olive oil, ½ cup white vinegar and if you wish, a few drops of eucalyptus oil.
#4. Hairspray: If your leather sofa has permanent marker stains, they can be removed by spraying a hairspray on the stains. If your kid has scribbled something in crayon on the sofa, rub it off using eucalyptus oil or alcohol. Swab the stain with these liquid cleaners and see the difference.
#5. Lemon juice and Cream of Tartar: If your leather sofa has developed protein-based stains, treat it with ¼ cup each of lemon juice and Cream of Tartar. Make a paste of this and rub it on stains of food, mud, blood or ink. Wait for about 10 minutes and wash it off using a wet cloth and then dry it with a dry cloth.
#6. Moisturizing soap: You don’t need to buy expensive cleaning solutions to give your leather upholstery a new look. Make a solution of a few drops of your moisturizing soap and warm water. Dip a washcloth in it and use it to wipe small sections of your upholstery until you cover the entire area. Wipe dry with a dry cloth. Between two such cleanings, remember to vacuum your upholstery every two weeks.
#7. Leather preservative: You can condition your leather upholstery by applying a light coat of leather preservative. Use a wax-based leather conditioner and see how your upholstery gets transformed into clean and sparkling leather. Keep your leather supple and protected from all kinds of ill-use by using this cleaning method.
With any of the methods of mentioned above of cleaning leather furniture, you will surely have clean and sparkling leather furniture in no time.
You can read more here: http://www.topcleaningsecrets.com/house/how-to-clean-a-leather-sofa-at-home.html