A key aspect in choosing the right fabric for your next recliner will most likely focus on how easy it is to clean and maintain. With a reputation for being durable and easy to maintain, leather options are a still firm favourite for all types of living room furniture.
A top-selling feature of modern leather recliner chairs is that they are not only comfortable but easy to clean and maintain. This selling feature makes leather furniture an excellent option for homes that have children and pets who will most likely be climbing all over your chair.
Leather Has Always Had a Stellar Reputation
Leather has been a firm favourite in homes around Australia for many years. And with its classic, timeless aesthetic it’s easy to see why. However, keeping your leather chair looking good will require some maintenance on your part.
Fortunately, leather maintenance is quick and simple. Keep reading as we share the most significant tips to help you take care of your old and new leather furniture.
- Forget the Chemical Cleaners
Your first thought may be to buy the strongest soap solution to keep your leather clean and stain-free. However, this approach will do more harm than good. This is because the chemicals in most modern cleaning detergents are too harsh for leather.
Since leather is essentially a natural product that hasn’t been treated, harsh soaps can also strip and stain the initial colour. Even mild soaps such as dish liquid are often also too harsh for your leather chair.
The best way to clean your leather doesn’t involve soap at all. Instead, the most effective cleaning method involves a fluff-free or microfibre cloth and warm water. Simply wipe down your chair every few days to remove any dust or debris. Allow the chair to air dry by opening a window in the room.
- Learn the Blotting Trick
At the sight of a spill or potential stain, it’s common to believe that the best approach is to scrub or rub the area to draw the mark out. It’s important to point out that scrubbing is never the solution with leather furniture, no matter what has caused the stain.
The reason for this is that rubbing and scrubbing will only spread the stain. You will also then force the stain-causing chemical to settle between the leather fibres. A spill should be treated with a porous cloth, and you should blot the liquid until it’s all absorbed.
When you’ve absorbed most of the spill, you may need to use some warm water to further blot out the remaining liquid. To avoid seeing a spill happen to blot it in time, consider making it a house rule that there’s no eating or drinking allowed in the living room, or where your new chair is!
- Invest in the Right Cloths
When it comes to other cleaning tasks such as washing dishes, carpets, and other furniture, you can pretty much use any cloth you have. Keep in mind that this isn’t the case with leather. The fibres in leather can easily absorb the colour from other materials that may not be colourfast.
So, using a brightly coloured cloth to wipe down your chair may leave coloured spots and stains on the material. That said, it’s essential to invest in white micro-fibre clothes. Doing this will ensure that there’s no staining from the cleaning cloth.
Be sure to tell everyone in the home that the leather chairs can only be cleaned with a white microfibre cloth. This will prevent a well-meaning child from making a bigger mess when they’re trying to clean a spill.
- Rotate Your Leather Furniture
A little-known fact is that leather furniture should be rotated, especially if the room the chair is in has a lot of sun exposure. The reason for this is that consistent exposure to the harsh Australian sun will eventually cause the leather to dry out and crack.
Follow these few simple guidelines to keep your leather chair safe from sun exposure:
- Test the heat in the spot by rubbing your hand over the chair in the hottest part of the day. If the leather feels hot, the leather is at risk of damage.
- If the chair is near a window, consider hanging a curtain, or closing the blind or shutter in that space. That will reduce the amount of harsh UV light your furniture gets.
- Speak to your recliner manufacturer or retail outlet for a conditioner to help keep the leather nourished.
- Invest in a throw or chair cover to keep sun exposure to a minimum. Remember to ensure that the cover is colourfast and won’t stain the leather. Keep in mind that heat will encourage this process, so it’s important to keep coloured accessories and cloths off the chair.
Final Thoughts
Leather maintenance requires much less time and effort than you may have initially thought. By using our tips and care guides you’ll be able to keep your leather recliner looking amazing for years to come!
