How to Clean Leather Furniture

You can clean leather furniture without a mixture of store bought, chemical based cleaners. In fact, you can get leather furniture clean in an eco friendly manner that will help keep your furniture looking great for years.

 

First, you need to build a green leather cleaning kit. You will need microfiber or other soft white cloths, a vacuum and dust brush attachment, distilled white vinegar, and jojoba or coconut oil (you can find these at many natural food stores).

 

The easiest way to keep your leather furniture clean is to dust frequently with a microfiber cloth or with the dust brush attachment on your vacuum. This keeps small bits of dirt and crumbs from becoming bigger messes or causing scratches.

 

But when your furniture is in need of a thorough cleaning, you can create your own leather cleaner. In a small dish, combine one-half cup jojoba or coconut oil and one-eighth cup distilled white vinegar. This mixture will remove any grime and condition the leather simultaneously. Before using this mixture, soak up any wet spills on your furniture with a dry white cloth. Then, rub the cleaner into the leather in gentle circles with another cloth. This will leave your leather looking clean, supple, and beautiful.

 

The cleaning and conditioning process doesn’t need to be done frequently. Once a month to once every three months should be sufficient, depending on how quickly your furniture gets dirty. You can extend the time between cleanings by dusting and/or vacuuming often, and wiping with a cloth slightly dampened with water once a week or so.

 

If your leather furniture needs deep conditioning, rub in a bit of oil, without the vinegar, let it sit overnight, then buff it out with a soft dry cloth in the morning. Your leather will look as good as new. (Note: as always, it’s best to test out any new furniture cleaner on a small, inconspicuous spot before cleaning the entire piece. This recipe should not be used on suede.)

 

There are a few more things you can do to clean leather furniture if challenged. A small amount of rubbing alcohol can be used to eliminate mold or mildew. For greasy spots, sprinkle on some cornstarch or baking soda, let it sit to absorb the grease, and then vacuum to remove the residue.

 

Aside from beautifully clean and environmentally friendly leather furniture, there are other benefits to using homemade cleaners. Commercial leather cleaner and conditioner is expensive and often contains hazardous chemicals that can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation and may be flammable. These chemicals create vapors that can linger in your home long after you’ve finished cleaning.

 

Interestingly, commercial cleaners frequently have natural ingredients, like lanolin and olive oil, listed alongside the harmful chemicals. It only make sense to make your own cleaner from the natural, safe ingredients minus the expensive hazardous ones. Cleaning leather furniture in an “eco friendly way” will save you money and help to remove toxins from your home.

 

So there you have it. Some valuable advice on how you can green clean leather furniture. You’re on your way to a healthier home.

 

Thanks for reading.