Know your leather
First things first — as always, check the manufacturer’s instructions to find out what type of leather you have. These instructions tell you everything you need to know, including the products you should and shouldn’t use to clean and condition the leather.
Clean with care
Any cleaning product with a high pH, like vinegar or lemon juice, damages leather fibers and results in excessive drying that creates unsightly cracks. Also avoid products like olive or coconut oil and furniture polishes.
Sop up spills ASAP
Leather is lovely, but it’s also susceptible to stains. Clean up spills as soon as they happen to prevent the liquid from sinking into the leather and causing a hard-to-remove spot.
Lived-on doesn’t mean dirty
If your leather looks darker than when you bought it, don’t worry — like fine wine, some leather is meant to get better with age. This is especially true for naturally dyed leather that develops a patina over time. Just because your leather is getting darker doesn’t mean it’s dirty — you can’t (and really, why would you want to?) scrub away its world-worn character.
Know when to call the professionals
If your leather furniture is very expensive, and you don’t want to risk damage, have a professional come in once a year to clean it. Between pro cleanings, wipe down your leather furniture periodically with a barely-damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and dirt. Find out from the manufacturer what type of leather conditioner you should use — and how often you should use it.
