Getting Clean for Spring: A Guide to Caring for Leather Furniture

March 7, 2011 - PRLog -- DALLAS – The birds are chirping, the sun is shining – it’s that time of year where everyone prepares for their annual household “spring clean!”  

This cleaning frenzy usually also includes the furniture, and if you have leather, you may unsure how to clean it properly, and still preserve its natural beauty.  That is why Dallas-based leather furniture manufacturer American Leather offers some tips and tricks for keeping leather furniture beautiful and carefree for many years to come.  

Leather’s benefits are unique, but at the same time, they also lead people to believe that leather is a rare and expensive commodity.  This is especially true regarding leather upholstery.  But, in fact, leather furniture represents an excellent value because it is as durable as it is beautiful, and it’s actually easy to maintain.

Leather Care Made Simple
Even premium leathers with the least processing and protection offer greater resiliency and serviceability than fabric upholstery.  Maintaining leather in its finest condition only requires a few precautions and occasional maintenance.  Leather furniture should not be exposed to direct sunlight, because it can fade, nor should it be placed too near a fireplace or heating duct because the leather can dry out.

A soft cotton cloth is the best choice for cleaning leather upholstery. Normal leather care involves weekly dusting and a monthly rub down with a damp cloth. The frequency of more intensive care with special cleaning products depends on the degree of use, but typically will not exceed once or twice a year.

Consumers need to carefully read the directions for any cleaning or protective product before applying it to furniture, and it is always a good idea to test a product on a small, less visible section of the leather before using it on the whole piece.  

There are a few other general tips American Leather says to keep in mind:  
•   In the event of a spill, absorb the liquid immediately, before it can penetrate the leather.  Again, use a soft clean cotton cloth and avoid rubbing to strongly, this will clog pores and leave a shiny spot.  
•   Treat not only the stain or dampened spot but the surrounding surface as well.  Stains may not disappear immediately-- but be patient!  Typically, the leather will absorb them over time.
•   Be very careful about which products you use on fine leather.  Never use pure alcohol, solvents or detergents.  Instead, use only products specifically recommended by the furniture manufacturer.  

American Leather’s Glenn Paluch, who specializes in leather car training, says these few and simple steps are all that is necessary to keep fine leather upholstery looking good for years to come.  “With proper care, leather is a surprisingly affordable indulgence that not only offers style, comfort and quality, but also improves with age,” add Paluch.

About American Leather
Founded in 1990, AMERICAN LEATHER is a manufacturer of custom upholstered, premium leather and fabric furniture, and is recognized as one of the leaders of innovative, high-quality, made-to-order furniture without the wait. Please visit www.americanleather.com for more information.

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Dallas-based AMERICAN LEATHER is a premier manufacturer of custom leather and upholstered furniture. All made in Dallas, the company’s products are made to order with a choice of hundreds of cover options, and delivered to the consumer in 30 days.