Are Leather Sofas High Maintenance?

Regular Maintenance

• Oftentimes, the furniture store the sofa is purchased from can recommend the best products for performing regular maintenance. To keep the leather soft and supple, leather conditioners should be applied. A variety of commercial products are available, and, depending on the type of leather sofa, there may be other options as well. White vinegar works on patent leather, and linseed or olive oil can be used on some types of tough leathers.

  Most commercial leather conditioners come in a spray or liquid form, which is rubbed into the leather then wiped off. These conditioners also help keep leather from getting sticky and remove films caused by fluids such as sweat. A regular wipe-down -- depending on how often the sofa is used -- with soap and water can keep this grime from building up. As with any product, apply the conditioner to a hidden area of the sofa first in case it causes discoloration.

Stain Removal

• Any spillage on a leather sofa should be wiped up immediately, but accidents can go unnoticed. Don't use water to clean the leather as this can result in leaving watermarks behind and permanently damaging the material. Instead, some stains can be successfully removed with hairspray. Wet materials such as grease or oils that get onto the sofa can be dried out with talcum powder left to sit for several hours. Once the moisture is absorbed, you can wipe it away. Toothpaste can also be used as an efficient stain remover. As with cleaning materials, test any product on a hidden area of the sofa; a wide variety of leathers may be damaged by the wrong chemicals.

Mold and Mildew Removal

• Mold and mildew can be a problem, especially in humid climates or if something is spilled onto the sofa. Most mild cases can be solved with a clean, soft cloth that is dampened with a mixture of soap and water. Too much water can further damage the sofa and leave water stains behind, but a damp cloth is usually sufficient to remove any mildew problems before they develop further. For tough mildew, a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol and water can also be effective.

Repairing Tears

• Part of the regular maintenance of a leather sofa should be giving it a quick examination for tears. Leather is generally a tough material, but it can be torn by regular use, wear or pets. Finding small tears before they turn into big tears can mean the rips are repairable, saving the sofa. Thin areas where the leather is wearing can also be reinforced.

  A variety of leather patching kits are on the market, with different kits geared toward fixing different kinds of leather. In some cases, you can adhere a patch to the tear while other types of leather may require a more labor-intensive process of applying a natural-looking filler and matching the color with leather dye.