Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason
I love my classic tanleathercouch.
It’s easy to clean, comfortable, and an investment piece that centers the room.
Here’s what you should know about the different types of leather used forcouchesand the steps for cleaning leather.
Credit:Alison Gootee; Styling: Matthew Gleason
This should be done weekly and before deep cleaning the couch.
Start at the top of the couch and wipe down each surface.
Use a gentle circular motion to clean heavily soiled areas like arm and head rests.
Rinse out and wring the cloth frequently as the soil is transferred from the leather.
Step Four
Use a dry microfiber cloth to buff the leather to a shine.
There’s no need to rinse the leather.
Blot spills immediately with a colorfast cloth and lift solids with a spoon or spatula.
Never rub because you will push the stain deeper into the leather.
Here’s how to handle some common stains.
Sprinkle the stain with a thick layer of talcum powder, cornstarch, or baking soda.
Cover with plastic wrap and leave it for at least four hours or overnight to absorb the oil.
Vacuum and repeat until the stain is gone.
Mud stains.Lift away as much mud as possible and allow the area to air dry.
When the leather is dry, clean with a microfiber cloth and mild soapy solution.
Buff dry and condition the sofa, if needed.
Ink stains.Blot freshink stainsa paper towel, trying not to smear the ink.
Rub a bar of mild soap with a damp microfiber cloth.
Working in small circles, rub the stained leather.
Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the ink is transferred.
If the stain remains, spray the leather with a 50:50 mix of distilled white vinegar and water.
Let it sit for a couple of minutes and blot the area.
Allow it to air-dry and repeat until the stain is gone.
