Photo by IMG Comfort
Choosing new seating for your living room, home office, or reading corner can be exciting, especially when you realise how extensive the choices are. No matter what your personal style is, or how big or small your budget is, you’ll easily be able to find seating that you can enjoy for years to come.
There’s no denying that leather recliner chairs are a trendy favourite for anyone shopping for a specialised chair. While the varieties of upholstered fabrics are endless, leather is still highly regarded by shoppers of all demographics. If you’ve made up your mind to opt for a leather chair, it’s essential to know how it should be maintained.
Few Options Compare to the Luxury of Leather
It’s no secret that leather is the top material choice in everything from car seat covers to dining room chair seats and everything in between. A reputation of durability, quality, and classic style may already have guided you toward this option for your next seating.
Whether you’re buying a single recliner chair or you’re upgrading all your living room furniture, proper care will ensure that your leather stays stylish for years to come. Our experts have shared the top care tips you should know to care for your leather.
- Ditch Any Harsh Cleaning Ideas
If you think leather maintains its lustre from regular cleaning, you’d be wrong. The golden rule in caring for your leather means that you should avoid harsh cleaning chemicals altogether. This is because the chemicals in most modern cleaning detergents are too harsh for leather.
Keep in mind that quality leather is a natural product that hasn’t been treated. Therefore, harsh soaps can strip and stain the initial colour. Even mild soaps such as dishwashing liquid are also too stringent for your leather.
That said, the safest way to clean your leather doesn’t involve soap at all. Instead, the most effective cleaning method involves a fluff-free or microfibre cloth and warm water. Simply wipe down your chair every few days to remove any dust or debris. Allow the chair to air dry by opening a window in the room.
- Use the Right Cleaning Cloths
Another essential tip to know when you’re cleaning leather is that the type of cloth you’re using matters. Start by opting for a white micro-fibre cloth. Yes, the colour matters! This is because the fibres in leather can easily absorb the colour from other materials that may not be colourfast.
Using a brightly coloured cloth to wipe down your chair may leave coloured spots and stains on the material. Using white, colourfast cloths will ensure that you don’t make a bigger mess out of a simple spill.
- Blot Don’t Wipe or Scrub
Buying leather for the first time can see you hovering around your chair with a cleaning cloth in your back pocket, ready to vigorously rub up the slightest spill. You need to learn the blotting trick before you go anywhere near your chair with a cleaning cloth.
Scrubbing is never the solution with leather furniture, no matter what has caused the stain. The reason for this is that scrubbing will only spread the stain. You will also then force the stain-causing chemical to settle between the leather fibres. A spill should be treated with a porous cloth, and you should blot the liquid until it’s all absorbed.
Gently blotting the spill will absorb most of the liquid. You can then use a small amount of warm water to further blot out the remaining liquid. To avoid spills, consider making it a house rule that there’s no eating or drinking allowed in the living room, or where your new chair is. You can also invest in a neutral, colourfast chair cover for your leather chair if it’s in a high-traffic area.
- Don’t Make the Location Permanent
Many first-time leather owners are unaware that their new leather furniture should be rotated, especially if the space has high sun exposure. The reason for this is that consistent exposure to the harsh Australian sun will eventually cause the leather to dry out and crack.
Here are a few simple guidelines to keep your leather furniture free from sun damage:
- Test the heat in the spot by rubbing your hand over the chair in the hottest part of the day. If the leather feels hot, the leather is at risk of damage.
- If the chair is near a window, consider hanging a curtain, closing the blind or shutter in that space.
- Speak to your recliner manufacturer or retail outlet for a conditioner to help keep the leather nourished, and only apply as recommended.
- Invest in a throw or chair cover to keep sun exposure to a minimum.
Final Thoughts
Before opting for a new recliner or sofa set, it’s essential to know how your preferred material should be cleaned and cared for. This will ensure longevity and durability for years to come. Fortunately, leather recliners are quick and easy to maintain. Follow our simple tips to ensure that your chair sustains its luxurious and stylish aesthetic. It’s easier than you think!