How To Clean Leather Recliner (Pro Guide)

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One of the perks of a leather recliner is that it creates an element of style and luxury in your living room. If you want to maintain the opulence, you need to give it an occasional cleaning and triage.

Fortunately, despite its grandeur, a leather recliner cleaning process is not laborious as you might imagine. Rest assured, learning how to clean a leather recliner is not difficult. Moreover, the process involves tools and materials that are readily available.

Get on your gloves and cleaning apron and keep your leather recliner looking shiny and brand new with the following tips.

Table of Contents

Leather Furniture Maintenance: General Rules

A leather recliner can serve you for a lifetime with the proper care and maintenance. Use the following tips and guidelines to care for your recliner.

Keep your recliner away from direct sunlight.
Wipe spillages as soon as they occur to minimize staining and discoloration.
Use a soft cloth or a vacuum cleaner with a dust brush attachment to dust the recliner to avoid scratching the surface.
Before cleaning your chair, always spot-test your cleaning solution to avoid damaging the chair.
Always use a damp cloth for deep cleaning. Wring the cloth thoroughly as too much water on the cloth may stain the leather.
Use manufacturer-recommended protector and conditioner 6-12months to maintain the recliner.

How To Clean Leather Recliner: Step By Step Guide

Step 1: Vacuum the Chair

The first step of cleaning a leather recliner is to get rid of all the dust and loose debris. The most effective way to do this is by using a vacuum cleaner that has a brush attachment.

Remember to vacuum between the cushions as that’s where most of the dirt hides. Once you are done vacuuming, use a soft cloth to wipe the surface.

Step 2: Inspect the Chair

Inspect your recliner to identify areas that may need the lion’s share of your cleaning efforts. The inspections also help you to identify worn-out/torn parts that may need repair before cleaning.

Step 3: Prepare the Cleaning Solution

To clean your recliner chair, you can mix up a simple but effective homemade cleaner made of equal parts water and vinegar. Mild non-alkaline soap and water can work as well. Alkaline soap is highly discouraged as it deteriorates the fibers in the leather over time.

Alternatively, you can purchase a leather cleaner, but make sure that it’s clearly marked that it’s suitable for your type of leather.

Step 4: Spot Test

Whichever cleaning solution you choose, it’s important to test it on an inconspicuous spot first. That way, if things go awry (god forbid), it will be barely noticeable.

Let the spot dry to determine whether your cleaning solution doesn’t do more bad than good.

Step 5: Time to Tackle the Stains

Dip a soft and clean cloth into your cleaning solution and wring it out to be damp and not wet. Wipe the stained parts in small circles. Avoid rubbing the surface back and forth as it causes more wear and tear.

Rinse the cloth after every few strokes to avoid spreading the dirt.

Step 6: Dry the Chair

Don’t leave your recliner to air dry. Instead, use another clean, dry cloth to dry it. Make sure that you go over every part that you cleaned with a damp cloth.

This step is crucial. This is because water tends to weaken leather material.

Step 7: Condition the Recliner

After you are done drying your recliner with a dry cloth, grab a leather conditioner and go over the chair. Conditioning your leather recliner is a great way to keep your recliner looking fresh and looking phenomenal.

Step 8: Let it Dry

Once you are done conditioning the recliner, allow it to air dry for an hour or so. This allows the leather conditioner to seep in to avoid ruining your clothes with oil.

Once the chair dries, it will look as good as new.

Pro Tips

Have you spilled something on your favorite leather recliner, and you are wondering how to clean it up to prevent a permanent stain? Don’t fret. Here are some tips:

Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away grease stains from a leather recliner. Don’t use a damp cloth as water could help the grease to soak into the leather.

If the grease spillage has already dried up by the time you spot it, sprinkle a little baking soda on the area and leave it for a few hours to allow it to draw the grease out. Brush the baking soda off with a soft cloth later.

In case of an ink stain on your leather recliner, use alcohol to remove it. Dab alcohol on a dry cloth or cotton swab and use it to wipe the stain. Psst…..Alcohol has also been proven to remove the ugly patches from mold and mildew on leather furniture.
Never scrub a stain on your leather recliner. Instead, massage the stained area in small circles for about 10-15 minutes.

Be wary of experimenting with stain removal products on your leather recliner. You may ruin your recliner.

Final Words

Your leather recliner is susceptible to irreversible stains and has a short lifespan if not well-taken care of. It’s therefore essential to clean your leather recliner if you want to get a bang for your buck. The above tips and guide on how to clean your leather recliner will keep your favorite shiny and brand new.

Author

Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith is the founder of CozySeating, is a father of 2, and an engineer from one of the leading furniture stores in the country. Due to his 10 years of experience, he has proved to be the best person to offer advice to clients regarding different seating furniture based on their needs and performance. Besides, he is a specialist in product reviews and always keeps up with the current trends in the market.

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