Protecting your Leather Furniture Investment

There’s no doubt - leather furniture looks and feels great. Because it’s a natural product, it warms to your body in the winter yet feels cool in the summer. When well-maintained, it lasts longer than fabric upholstery and gets softer over time with a “lived-in,” rustic-chic appeal. The challenge? Dirt, oil, and liquids can seep in due to its permeable nature, requiring added caution with its care.

Aniline leather and protected leather are the two most common finishes you’ll encounter. Aniline is especially penetrable, as it is untreated - in its natural state it is buttery and supple to the touch. Protected leather has a coating to insulate it from elements, and is an ideal choice for those with kids and pets.

High quality leather furniture in either state is an investment. Keeping it in good condition is the best way to ensure your expenditure pays off.

Like wood, another organic product, leather can fade, dry out, and crack when it’s placed close to heat sources. Avoid setting your leather furniture near fireplaces, hot air vents, or in direct sunlight.

Dust with a clean, dry cloth every few weeks and vacuum in crevices and under cushions. A damp cloth can be used to cleanse accumulated dirt - just be sure to test an inconspicuous spot first to make sure a water mark isn’t left behind. Finally, applying a leather conditioner once or twice a year will go a long way in maintaining the leather’s suppleness.

•      For spills, blot with a clean cloth and air-dry. Avoid rubbing or wiping, as this can extend the spill rather than getting the moisture out. Grease stains can be treated this way as well. Spots typically blend in over time, as do surface scratches.

•      Don’t use soaps or solvents not designed for leather - they may cause more damage than the stain itself. If a bothersome stain persists, hiring a professional leather alleviates the risk of damage to your investment.

•      Avoid placing printed materials such as newspaper on your leather furniture - the ink can transfer and leave stains behind.

If your home is one where pets are welcome on furnishings and you’re concerned about nail scratches and other damage, this step may be worth it. Keep in mind this expense makes financial sense only if your leather furniture is of high quality and was a costly purchase. Your decision to buy this type of warranty often needs to be made at the time of purchase, not after damage has occurred.

With care and attention, leather furnishings can be the right choice for most homes, while instilling a richness and beauty hard to replicate with other upholstery. As an added bonus, one allergy-suffering owner of a leather sofa claims it is the one piece of furniture the keeps her allergies at bay. Dust, dander, and other allergens don’t embed in leather, and can be whisked away with the swipe of a cloth. Now that’s something to breathe easy about!