Light colored leather furniture is a favorite, for it blends well with many design motifs and settings. Sectional sofas and chairs are inviting and attractive in a soft and supple covering of light colored leather. One must balance the enjoyment of the soft seating luxury style with the effort required to keep surfaces looking fresh, for leather is vulnerable to dirt and stains.
Prevention is the best cleaning solution for light colored leather. It is an appealing finish for furniture, durable and it ages beautifully. However, it requires care because leather stains and can be soiled, and light colored leathers show more dirt and stains than dark colors. There are some easily identified common causes of dirt and stains on light colored leather.
Grease and oils are leading causes of stains and dirt on light colored leather furniture. Dirty hands are an obvious source, but oils from skin can also stain leather, further, once present, oils allow other dirt to form and stay on the surface.
Smoke and fireplace soot are dark and oily. One fireplace or kitchen mishap can fill a room with staining flakes of carbon and oils. While one smoky event can darken the light colored sofa, the gradual coatings from normal cooking, and fireplace burning leaves a barely seen residue that builds over time to a noticeable darker shade.
Newsprint ink from newspapers and magazines are a prime source of leather stains. Cloth dyes can also rub into light colored leather. The color fastness of cloths varies with the type and the method of infusing color. One should use light colored blankets and throw covers to avoid dark stain transfers, and one should test for colorfastness with any blanket or throw.
Promoting even wear is another way to prevent excessive dirt in one or a few areas of a light colored leather piece. One can move a sofa so that the most used spot will change, such as the end near an end table or near an entertainment center. Maintenance of the surface and treatment with leather conditioning products will keep the surface naturally stain resistant and supple. Cracks and splits collect dirt and embedded dirt is difficult to remove.
The following are some useful and effective cleaning pointers for light colored leather furniture including the use of professional care.
First, use the right cleaning equipment. Some skincare or defoliating gloves can do far more than a cloth and leather cleaner for removing dirt embedded in the grain.
Second, do not let stains set. Quick action with a dry or slightly moist cloth can remove nearly all of a stain or spill, and the opposite is true, allowing it to stand will reduce the effectiveness of surface cleaning.
Third, maintain regular dusting. Dust in the air settles on light colored leather furniture and it builds. Dust settles in the folds, splits, and creases in leather and is difficult to remove. Regular dusting can prevent or minimize the build-up.
Finally, regular cleanings for light colored leather will likely be frequent. Dark colors need one to two cleanings per year under average conditions. Light colored leather needs more cleaning; for it is simply true, the light colors show more dirt and stains. All leathers, including light colored leather, need skilled professional care from time to time. When clean, the leather surface shows small cracks and seams that come with aging, and with the effects of dirt and oil.
The results of a professional cleaning treatment can raise the color a complete shade when contrasting the cleaned surface with the day-to-day appearance before cleaning. Professional conditioning will restore the surface, reduce visible splits and seams, and give the leather a fresh appearance. Leather Medic provides expert leather cleaning and conditioning for leathers in all styles and colors.
Leather Medic
5565 Lee Street, Unit 1
Lehigh Acres, Florida 33971-1552
888-561-0423