A quality piece of leather furniture can last a lifetime, and as long as it’s regularly cleaned and properly conditioned, its looks only get better with time. But can you clean your leather furniture yourself or is it safer to contact reputable cleaners in Dublin for a leather cleaning service? How do you get the best results and spare yourself the risk of damaging the material?
It’s true that inadequate attempts at cleaning can ruin your leather and handing the job over to professionals is your best bet at getting even the most persistent of stains completely removed. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t learn how to clean leather at home. Read on to find out more.
Can you clean leather with water?
For regular maintenance and dust removal, some types of leather can be cleaned using nothing but a clean damp cloth dipped in warm water. In this case, it’s best to use distilled water as regular tap water contains chlorine and other substances that might damage or stain it.
Being a natural, breathable material, leather absorbs moisture and it is important not to oversaturate it with water. Excessive moisture can leave stains and provide a breeding ground for mold and mildew to form. So, when using water to clean your leather items, don’t forget to leave it enough time to completely dry. Also, always avoid exposure to direct sunlight to prevent it from cracking in the process.
For more thorough cleaning, however, water might not suffice. Read on to learn what household products you can use to clean it.
What household products can you use to clean leather?
Some common household items can safely be used to treat leather and to much success. These are:
- Soap, and a mild one to be precise. This includes hand, dish, baby, or castile soap, usually mixed with warm water.
- Vinegar: A mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water can be used to clean many kinds of stains from leather. The downside to this method is that the alcohol in vinegar can dry the leather down and make it more prone to cracking, so it’s best to apply a leather conditioner afterwards.
- Olive oil serves as a natural leather conditioner and should be applied in small amounts after cleaning leather with any agents that might dry it.
- Rubbing alcohol works well on stains. However, it should never be sprayed or spilled directly onto leather or it may damage it. When using alcohol to clean stains, it’s best to dip the tip of a washcloth in it or apply it to a cotton ball or swab to work directly on the stain.
What is the best homemade leather cleaner?
You can give your leather furniture a top-to bottom cleanse and conditioning by mixing ¼ cup vinegar and ½ cup olive oil. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
After spraying the mixture onto the leather, use a cotton cloth to wipe it clean. If you dislike the smell of vinegar (although it should quickly wear off), you can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil (or any other essential oil) to the mixture to make the smell more pleasant.
Where in Dublin can I get a trusted leather cleaning service?
If you would rather use your time to relax in Marlay Park than spend your day doing housework, the professionals at Emerald Carpet Cleaning will gladly lift this responsibility off your shoulders.
We offer a 200% satisfaction guarantee and our services are available 7 days a week to enable you to schedule a cleaning at your convenience.
All of our cleaning agents are enzyme-based and 100% percent family and pet safe, as well as eco-friendly. Join our numerous happy customers and give us a call today!