The sofa is often put to the test. The whole family spends so much time there and we all enjoy getting together there to chat, play games or watch films that this good old piece of furniture is in full swing. Obviously, a little cleaning is necessary from time to time to give it a clean look. Above all, this restores all its nobility to this beautiful material which is made to last for many years with good maintenance. Are you wondering how to clean your leather sofa and how to make it shine? With these grandmother’s tips for taking care of leather, maintaining it will be simple and economical.
Good to know before cleaning leather: Do a test on an inconspicuous area to see if your product has any adverse effects. This type of test is important even with commercially available leather care products. Indeed, they can sometimes have unpleasant surprises, especially on a white leather or black leather sofa.
1) Mild baby soap or baby milk
Soap rarely goes well with leather. Besides, Marseille soap is one of the only ones he likes! However, mild baby soap is an exception as there may be no color additives of any kind, as this could leave stains. Baby milk is also ideal for cleaning leather.
What you need:
- 1 liter of hot water
- 15 ml of soap
- A few drops of vinegar
The steps:
1) First of all, mix all the mentioned items.
2) Then dip your clean cloth in the mixture, wringing it out so that it is damp, but not wet.
3) All that remains is to rub the entire surface to be treated using circular movements. Then let it air dry.
Make-up remover milk can also be used as a leather cleaner to revive it. It removes dirt and will fade any stain. To clean a leather sofa, simply put it on a soft cloth (like a microfiber cloth) or a washcloth. It is also very effective for removing stains or stubborn dirt.
2) Lemon essential oil to take care of leather
Lemon essential oil provides a fresh smell and prevents cracking while providing a better longevity for your leather. You can also use it alone on a cloth soaked in 15 to 20 drops. If you’re looking for a cleanser, try the mixture below.
What you need:
- 120 ml of vinegar
- 15 to 20 drops of lemon essential oil
The steps:
1) Mix the ingredients in a colored glass container or spray bottle if possible (not plastic, this is not “compatible” with the essential oil).
2) Do an initial cleaning with a cloth. If there are crumbs, vacuum them up a little.
3) Then spray your product on the sofa and rub with a clean cloth.
4) Finally, leave what remains of the solution to act for 4 to 5 minutes then “polish” gently.
3) A beeswax balm
What you need:
- Beeswax
- Cocoa butter
- Sweet almond oil
The steps:
1) In a saucepan, pour one part beeswax, one part cocoa butter and two parts oil.
2) Heat, but not too much, over medium heat. It should not boil.
3) Then, once everything has melted smoothly, stir and remove the pan from the heat.
4) Leave to cool for 30 to 40 minutes until everything cools and the balm solidifies.
5) Then take it with the warmth of the finger and apply the balm by hand, massaging gently.
6) Finally, polish with a clean, dry cloth.
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