How to clean a leather armchair?
Have you fallen for a magnificent leather armchair, or do you want to restore the shine to the one pride of place in your living room? Your leather armchair is much more than just a piece of furniture. Leather is a noble and chic material, which is why it deserves your full attention. Take care of it properly to maintain its suppleness and its superb look. Ready to roll up your sleeves? Here are our 5 tips on how to effectively clean your leather armchair. Restore its original radiance and keep it for as long as possible.
1. Use a gentle touch when cleaning your leather armchair
Did you know that leather needs to be pampered? The delicate nature of vegetable-tanned leather, such as drum-dyed sheepskin, deserves your full attention. Over time and with use, neglected leather is an open door to cracks, stains, and a loss of lustre. For cleaning your armchair in leather, prioritise the use of gentle products:
- White vinegar and Marseille soap: these two natural and economical products give excellent results on superficial stains, bad odours and for the regular maintenance of your leather armchair. When using white vinegar, ensure it is diluted in correct proportions to avoid drying out the leather (1 tablespoon of vinegar for 2 to 3 of water). Marseille soap should be used with lukewarm water (soak a cloth in lukewarm water and a little Marseille soap).
- Glycerin soap gel: gentle and natural, this non-aggressive soap allows you to clean your seat effectively while slightly hydrating the leather. Perfect for maintaining your leather armchair with care.
- Leather cleaning oil: this gentle, natural and non-aggressive product cleans and hydrates the leather at the same time.
- Leather stain remover: ultra-effective, this cleaner is your best ally for cleaning a very dirty leather armchair with stubborn stains. Use it sparingly, however, to avoid damaging the leather.
Here is a summary of the products to clean and maintain each type of leather:
Leather type | Cleaning product | Nourishing/Protective product | To avoid |
Aniline | Mild glycerin soap | Special nourishing cream | Alcohol or water-based products in excess |
Semi-aniline | Mild cleaning lotion | Nourishing balm | Abrasive cleaners |
Pigmented | Specific wipes/cleaners | Protective creams or waxes | Strong solvents |
Synthetic | Mild cleaners | Faux-leather protective cream | Abrasive products or solvents |
2. Ban certain products from your leather maintenance
Conversely, using certain products can damage your leather armchair:
- Solvent-based products (cracking).
- Cleansing milk (clogging of the leather in the long term).
- Abrasive wipes or cleaners (scratches and alteration of the leather tint).
- Cleaners containing alcohol (drying out the leather).
3. Adopt these essential steps for cleaning leather
Now let's move on to the practical steps for optimal cleaning of your leather armchair or sofa.
Dust your leather armchair
Dusting your leather seat prevents abrasive particles from scratching the leather during cleaning. Before starting, clear your leather armchair of dust particles and superficial dirt: use a soft microfibre cloth or gently vacuum using a soft brush attachment over the entire surface.
Our advice: pay close attention to corners, folds and seams.
Clean the leather of your armchair with suitable products
How to clean the leather of your armchair?
- Lightly dampen a clean, soft cloth with the cleaning product.
- Clean using circular motions to avoid streaks.
- Focus on stained areas without rubbing too hard to avoid altering the leather.To note: avoid using hard brushes, rubbing too hard and soaking the leather with too much liquid.
Rinse and dry the leather with care
After cleaning your leather seat, rinse it with a cloth dampened with clear water. Then dab the surface with a dry cloth. Allow your armchair to air dry.
Warning: poor rinsing can leave marks and harden the leather.
Hydrate and protect the leather for a perfect finish
To protect your leather club armchair over time, nothing beats applying a nourishing cream or a protective wax:
- Apply a small amount of product.
- Work it in with circular motions.
- Leave to act for a few hours.
- Polish with a clean cloth.
4. How to remove stubborn stains from a leather armchair?
Wondering how to clean your very dirty leather armchair with persistent stains? Follow our tips:
- Grease stains: sprinkle Terre de Sommières (clay powder) on the stain. Leave for several hours then gently rub with a soft cloth.
- Ink stains: act quickly. Dab the stain (instead of rubbing) with a sponge soaked in a stain remover.
- Wine or food stains: spray a stain-removing cleaning product onto a microfibre cloth, then rub gently.
5. A brilliant leather armchair every day: our regular maintenance tips
As we mentioned at the beginning, your leather armchair deserves the greatest care to preserve its original splendour. At Vente-unique, we love giving you wise and easy-to-apply advice to keep your furniture looking like new:
- Protect your leather armchair from direct sunlight.
- Place it away from heat sources (radiators, fireplaces, stoves).
- Watch out for sharp objects (keys, jewellery, zips) and pets.
- Clean your furniture every 3 to 6 months.
- Hydrate and nourish it every 6 months.
- Waterproof the leather with a suitable spray to prevent stains.
- Use a protective cover if you use your leather seat infrequently, or if it is exposed in a high-risk area (near a window, in a damp room, etc.).
Cleaning and maintaining your leather armchair regularly is the key to keeping it as beautiful as the day you bought it.
