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Leather has a timeless appeal which makes it a popular upholstery choice. All leather requires care to maintain its look and to make it last longer. I have an 8 seater leather corner sofa which I try to take care of, to keep it looking its best. To care for leather, I try to ensure that I do not spill things such as food or drink on the sofa. I try and polish the leather at least once or twice a week and you can buy all sorts of products which are suitable for cleaning leather. Most leather, suede and sheepskin items do not need intense cleaning and apart from looking better with age, can be cleaned simply and easily using nothing more than a few simple products and a little bit of your own time.

Here I will list a few simple do's and don't of how to maintain leather:

DO
Keep your leather free from dust and dirt.

Use a soft untreated cloth, or a Hoover with a soft brush attachment. Use a leather protection cream to protect against stains and dirt. This also improves durability and helps keep the leather soft and supple.

Oil-based spills and stubborn marks can be treated with a solution of mild pure soap, e.g. Lux Soap Flakes, then rinsed with clean water. Do not soak the leather.
Allow to dry for 3-4 days. Some oil-based spills will disappear into the leather over the following months.

DON'T
Use detergents or chemicals to clean your leather, as these can damage and result in expensive repairs. Use only products recommended to be used on Leather products.

Expose your furniture to prolonged periods of direct sunlight or place your furniture close to a radiator or similar heat source, it is best to leave a 20-30 cm gap between the leather and any heat source.

Remember
Light scratches and marks can be polished and rubbed out with a clean dry cloth. Do not rub too hard.

Avoid all household cleaning products for any use on leather. These will build up an unpleasant sticky feel to the leather

Dust and light dirt or grime can be taken off with a damp cloth

Learn more about this author, Jamie Hawkins.
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