How to clean a leather couch (and care for leather furniture properly)

Step by step: how to clean a leather couch

1. 1

   Find out what kind of leather you have

   Put a single drop of water on a hidden spot. If it soaks in and darkens the leather within a few seconds, you have aniline or unprotected leather, which needs the gentlest care. If it beads on top, the leather is protected (pigmented or coated) and handles regular cleaning well. Let the test spot dry; it usually fades.

2. 2

   Vacuum and dust

   Vacuum the seams, crevices and under the cushions with a soft brush or crevice tool, without pressing the hard plastic edge into the leather. Then dust all surfaces with a clean, soft cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.

3. 3

   Mix a mild soap solution

   Combine equal parts mild soap and distilled water in a bowl, or a few drops of a mild, non-detergent liquid soap in a cup of distilled water. Distilled water avoids the mineral spots tap water can leave. Skip dish soaps with degreasers, which strip the leather’s oils.

4. 4

   Clean one section at a time

   Dip a cloth or sponge in the solution, squeeze it until barely damp, and wipe a cushion or arm with light pressure, working up a little foam. Do not soak the leather or scrub hard. Start with the arms and headrests, which collect the most body oil.

5. 5

   Wipe off the soap

   Wipe the same area with a fresh cloth dampened only in distilled water, then blot it dry with a dry cloth. Leftover soap leaves a dull, sticky film. Repeat section by section around the couch.

6. 6

   Let it air dry

   Let the couch dry naturally at room temperature for an hour or two. Never use a hair dryer or put it near a heater to speed it up; heat dries leather out and can make it crack.

7. 7

   Condition if your leather needs it

   Once dry, protected leather can take a thin coat of a furniture leather conditioner, rubbed in with a soft cloth and buffed. Test it first in a hidden spot, since conditioners can darken aniline leather, and follow your furniture maker’s advice on what to use.

How to clean each type of leather couch

Clean protected leather with a mild soap solution, aniline leather with as little moisture as possible, and bonded or faux leather like a wipeable vinyl. The water drop test in step 1 tells you which you have; your furniture paperwork may name it too.

La-Z-Boy’s leather care sheet recommends weekly dusting with a soft cloth slightly dampened with distilled water, and for spills, a solution of half mild soap and half distilled water on a slightly damp cloth, followed by blotting with a cloth dampened only in distilled water. It suggests a professional leather cleaning service for more difficult stains.

What not to use on a leather couch

Keep household cleaners, oils and heat away from leather. Most leather damage comes from drying it out or leaving residue behind.

• All-purpose sprays, disinfecting wipes, ammonia, bleach and glass cleaner, which strip finish and dry out the hide.
• Baby wipes and makeup wipes, which can leave oily or alcohol residue and discolor aniline leather.
• Olive oil, coconut oil and other kitchen oils. They can turn rancid, darken the leather and attract dirt.
• Furniture polish and silicone sprays, which leave a slick film and are made for wood.
• Saddle soap, detergent soaps and cleaning solvents, which American Leather lists among the products not to use on leather furniture.
• Melamine sponges (magic erasers), which are abrasive and can remove the color coat.
• Heat and sun. La-Z-Boy advises keeping leather furniture at least 12 inches from radiators and other heat sources and out of direct sunlight.

How to handle stains on a leather couch

Blot spills immediately with a dry cloth, then clean only as much as the stain needs. Rubbing spreads liquid and can push it into the grain.

• Water-based spills (drinks, food): blot, then use the mild soap and distilled water method and wipe with distilled water.
• Grease and body oil: blot with a dry cloth and leave it; on aniline leather small oil spots often fade into the hide over days. Do not add water. American Leather gives the same advice for butter, oil and grease spots, and says not to wash them.
• Ink and dye transfer from jeans: these set quickly. A furniture leather cleaner may lift fresh marks on protected leather; on aniline, call a leather professional.
• Pet scratches: light scratches on protected leather can be softened with a little conditioner; deep scratches need a leather repair kit or a pro.

Not leather after all? Fabric couches follow different rules; see our guide to cleaning a fabric couch and its explanation of cleaning codes.

Mistakes to avoid

• Soaking the leather instead of using a barely damp cloth.
• Using tap water that leaves mineral spots, instead of distilled water.
• Rubbing a spill instead of blotting it.
• Drying cleaned leather with a hair dryer or next to a radiator.
• Rubbing olive oil or coconut oil into the couch as a conditioner.
• Using disinfecting wipes or all-purpose spray for a quick clean.