Always keep leather furniture out of direct sunlight to prevent drying and cracking the leather. To nourish the leather, mix one part white vinegar with two parts linseed oil, shake well, and apply to the leather using a soft cloth. Work in a circular motion, covering the entire surface. Rub in thoroughly, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then buff with a soft cloth to bring a shine to the leather surface. You may need to buff once more before sitting on the furniture. Remove stains such as ink by dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rubbing over the spot. Dry the area with a blow dryer. If the stain remains after drying, apply a thick coat of non-gel, non-oily cuticle remover. Leave on overnight, then wipe off with a damp cloth. Remove dark stains from light-colored leather upholstery by mixing a paste of one part lemon juice with one part cream of tartar. Rub the paste on the stain and leave in place for about 10 minutes. Apply another layer of the paste, work it in, then remove with either a damp sponge or a damp sponge topped with moisturizing soap.

For general leather cleaning, use a moisturizing soap, such as Dove. Lather on with a soft cloth, and wash the item to remove dirt and grime. Do not overwet the leather and do not rinse after washing, just buff with a soft cloth; this allows the moisturizing soap to condition the leather. Remove road salt from leather shoes by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar. Dip a cloth in the mixture and wipe over the leather. This may have to be repeated several times to clean the surface. Buff and apply a paste shoe polish. Some slipcovers can be laundered in the washing machine. Large slipcovers should be cleaned in a commercial machine, but always test for colorfastness before washing. Sign up for the Newsletter Privacy Policy Sign up for weekly project ideas and advice from experts Privacy Policy Sign Up for More We love to DIY. You love to DIY. See the latest DIY projects, catch up on trends and meet more cool people who love to create. Make It. Fix It. Learn It. Find It.

Get quick inspiration from Made + Remade each week. The Essential Steps to Landscape Designwhat is the average cost of cleaning air ductsTry These Plants and Groundcoverscar vacuum cleaner usage Reducing the Size of a Lawnair duct cleaning ball 10 Things You Must Know About Landscaping Popular Landscaping Groundcovers and Shrubs Lush Landscaping Creates Major Curb Appeal How to Design a Great Yard with Landscape Plants How to Landscape a Shady Yard Some of the Most Desperate Landscapes How to Landscape a Sloping Backyard Leather is one of the most durable, long-lasting types of upholstery available. That's why leather furniture is typically so expensive.

Knowing how to maintain and clean your leather furniture (with ingredients you probably already have in your stockpile!) can help protect your pricey investment, keeping it looking amazing for decades to come. Leather cleaners and maintainers can cost up to $10. It costs $2 or less to make your own cleaners and leather nourishers. That's a savings of 80 percent! 1. Wipe down your leather furniture with a clean, white cloth once a week. The white cloth not only removes dust and debris, it doesn’t leave behind any dyes like colored washcloths could. They also make it easy to see when you have removed every speck of dust. 2. Vacuum your furniture once a month or so to remove any deep down dirt or grime. 3. To nourish the leather, mix together two parts linseed oil with one part white vinegar. Mix or shake this “hide food” thoroughly. Pour a little bit of it onto a soft cloth and gently wipe the surface of your leather furniture. Work in circular motions until the entire surface is covered.

Allow the furniture to sit for about 10 minutes and then buff the leather with a soft cloth until it's shiny. Clean your leather furniture with a damp, soft cloth. Just be sure the cloth is damp and not soaking wet. For tough dirt and grime, use a gentle moisturizing soap like Dove or baby shampoo. Lather the soap on with a cloth, being sure not to over-wet the leather, which can damage it. Do not rinse off the soap, just buff it away. The soap actually works as a leather conditioner. Never use strong detergents, alcohol or harsh chemicals to clean your leather furniture. All of these can permanently damage it. Ink stains: Remove stains like ink by dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover. Gently rub the spot until it disappears (this might take a couple of tries) and then blow dry it on the lowest setting. If the stain is particularly stubborn, rub a thick coat of non-oily, non-gel cuticle remover onto the leather. Allow it to sit overnight and then gently wipe the stain away with a damp cloth.

Dark stains: Dark and protein-based stains (like mud, blood and food) can be removed by mixing together a paste of one part cream of tartar and one part lemon juice. Rub the paste into the stain and allow it to rest for 10 minutes. Add another layer of the paste, really rubbing it into the stain and then remove it with a damp sponge. Buff the leather with a soft cloth until it's dry. Water stains: Water rings and stains can be removed with mayonnaise. Just apply the condiment in a thick layer and allow it to sit for a couple of hours. Wipe the mayo off (along with the water stain) using a dry cloth and allow the leather to dry.Make a commitment to something and stick to it because that ultimately is what will set you free.When it comes to furniture, there isn't anything more luxurious and elegant than fine leather. But with that elegance comes the challenge of keeping leather clean and maintained so it gets even better with age. Improper cleaning techniques can result in permanent damage, something I know about from personal experience.

To get started, determine the type of leather you're working with. Read the tags or brochure — either will usually have cleaning tips for your specific piece. If you can find this information, follow the guidelines and instructions. Otherwise, most leather furniture these days has a topcoat to protect the leather, which is usually safe to clean by following these suggestions:You need to remove all the loose dirt, dust and debris. A vacuum with a soft brush attachment is the best option, as it will get into the seams and crevices. Leather is delicate and you don't want to scratch it.Before you do a general cleaning, you want to treat any stains on the leather. For ink stains, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub over the ink stain. Dry the leather using a blow dryer on the lowest setting. For dark stains, such as food, blood or even stains that you can't identify, make a paste using one part cream of tartar and one part lemon juice. Rub the paste on the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Remove the paste with a damp rag and moisturizing soap (as described below). Gently rinse the soap and dry and buff the leather with a soft cloth. For grease stains, apply a thick coating of talcum powder to the stain. Let it sit overnight to draw the grease or oil from the leather. Gently wipe it clean using a lint-free cloth or vacuum.Mix a few drops of a mild liquid facial cleanser or body wash, such as Dove body wash, Neutrogena facial cleanser or any shampoo that does not contain sodium laurel sulfate — a harsh ingredient that could dry out the leather — with one quart of distilled water until suds form. Chlorine and other contaminants in regular tap water can also damage the leather.Test this cleaner in an inconspicuous place on your leather. Scrub a small area and observe how the leather responds. DIVE IN. Assuming the test gives a good result, dip the clean cloth into the soapy water and wring it out thoroughly. Wipe one small section of the surface at a time.

Dip another soft clean rag into distilled water, wring it out thoroughly and then wipe away the soap residue.Immediately use another clean soft rag to dry the area.Take a fourth clean soft cloth and buff the leather to restore the luster.Treat the surface with a nontoxic, high-quality leather protector or conditioner such as Leather Rescue Leather Conditioner. Just follow the label instructions. Trust me, this stuff is awesome!Moving forward, be sure to clean spills immediately. Leather is porous and will soak up just about anything. Never use harsh cleaners or any kind of oil, furniture polish, baby wipes, household cleaners or any product with wax or silicone. This could damage the leather and/or leave the surface feeling sticky. You may be tempted, but don't use saddle soap, varnish, any ammonia-based cleaners — like Windex — or bleach on leather furniture. Any or all of these could cause discoloration or even serious damage.To keep your fine leather furniture from fading, drying out or cracking, don't put it in direct sunlight.