This Is the Best Way to Clean Your Leather Couch, According to the Pros (2024)

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Purchasing furniture is a big deal. Even if the pieces you're looking at or have already bought are on sale, they're generally still pretty expensive—especially that sofa you've had your eye on for so long. Couches are where a lot of people spend the majority of their time since they usually take up space in the living room, so you want this centerpiece to fit your style and be ultra comfortable. For some, that means a leather couch is the answer. Even if you're putting this up in your home study, your man cave, or your sunroom, you want to keep it looking fresh and new for as long as possible.

While leather is extremely durable, it can require some maintenance to keep it looking as sleek as when you bought it. Food gets dropped, drinks get spilled, and things wear down with age and use. Leather can look amazing with age, but you don't want it looking neglected or unattractive. You can't clean the material the same way you would any other fabric sofa, so whether you've had your couch for years or you're thinking about buying one, you should know how best to clean your leather furniture.

To find out the best way to clean a leather couch, we reached out to the people who know leather best: The team from Moore & Giles, a leather producer in Virginia that supplies supple leathers to furniture brands, including Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Keep reading to find out how to perform regular upkeep of the material, how to spot-clean, and how to condition your furniture.

How to Clean a Leather Couch

On a day-to-day basis, the experts at Moore & Giles advise dusting your sofa periodically with a dry cloth to prevent any dust or grime buildup. If your sofa is really dusty (or it's tufted, making for lots of tiny crevasses where dust can build up), use a vacuum with a narrow attachment to get dust out of the cracks. If you want to give it an all-over clean every so often, rub a special leather cleaner all over the sofa with a soft cloth after removing dust.

How to Remove Stains From a Leather Couch

If you're dealing with a more stubborn stain on your leather sofa, first try wetting a cloth and blotting it on the couch. If the stain persists, try blotting with a towel dipped in a mixture of water and a mild dish soap (like Palmolive or Dawn). Be sure to blot gently; scrubbing rigorously can cause permanent damage to the leather. When you're done, thoroughly dry the spot with a fresh cloth.

If the stain is grease-based, you may be able to remove it by sprinkling baking soda over the spot, letting it sit for a few hours, and then wiping it clean (baking soda is absorbent and will pull grease out of the leather).

How to Condition a Leather Couch

If you want to revive the look of your leather sofa, it's best to use a conditioner specially formulated for leather (Moore & Giles makes one). Buff it over a clean, dry sofa using a soft sponge and let sit for an hour.

At the end of the day, it's important to note that all leather furniture will naturally wear and take on patina. That's what makes it so cozy and appealing! Most scratches and stains will gradually fade as they wear into the leather—and if they don't, don't stress. There's nothing more inviting than a well-worn sofa.

What Should You Not Use on Leather?

Avoid using soaking wet cloths on your leather sofa. If there's too much liquid, whether it's water or cleaner, it could leave a stain on your couch. Stick with damp towels or microfiber cloths when you're cleaning the material.

You also should not use any type of bleach, ammonia, or acetone-based cleaning products on your leather. These products are too harsh on the soft material and can permanently damage the construction or even take the color off of the leather.

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