Basic Care for Your Leather Furniture

Leather furniture is more than just regular old furniture. There is something special about it. It has an appeal that is at once recognizable and distinct. For most, it has a pleasant appeal not only to the eye but also to the touch. Even the sense of smell says, "oh yeah!" People like leather furniture for many reasons. For me, it is second to none because it is natural, it is beautiful, and it is long-lasting and durable. I like that it is available in many different textures and colors and being natural, each piece of leather is unique in its own way. Caring for leather furniture does not take rocket science. Let's take a look at what is involved and some of the considerations to think about.

Leather furniture is not cheap. Like most things, you get what you pay for. So, when you pay that pretty penny for a nice, functional and long-lasting recliner, ottoman, chair or sofa, you can rest assured that if you do your part to take good care of it, it will take care of you for many years to come.

The first thing to pay attention to is general cleaning. If there is a spill or other mishap, a quick blotting is an obvious first step. Leather is pretty forgiving and most food items can easily be removed with just a moistened cloth or mild soap if really necessary. It will even allow some reasonable amount of gentle scraping should that be necessary to remove anything that may have dried on.

With use, leather furniture can become somewhat dry or even brittle and cracked if not tended to properly, especially if it sits in a sunny spot in the house. But never fear. With proper care it will last for years and years. A good preventative maintenance thing to do is to regularly wipe it down with a commercially available leather conditioner product. These are usually a paste or a spray that is easy to apply. I like to use it every time I dust. I like the smell so it is a pleasant thing to do. Plus, it make me feel good to take care of something that wasn't cheap.

If you do get a scratch in your leather furniture it can either be ignored completely and just seen as adding to the natural charm and beauty of the piece, or it can be treated with a leather stain or dye. Many people like leather precisely because it is not absolutely perfect. It's going to have swirls and grain in it. There are going to be imperfections because it is a natural product, and not something that was cranked out of a factory where all aspects of manufacture are controlled.

If you are thinking of acquiring leather furniture of any sort, I would highly recommend it. The tactile satisfaction it gives is hard to describe, but is unmistakable. Go to the store and try it out. See if you like its look, feel, and smell. It's cool in the summer and surprisingly warm in the winter. It is easy to decorate around because of it's natural warm tones. All you really need to do to care for it is to make the commitment to giving it regular treatment and conditioning. If you do these things, you should enjoy your leather furniture for many years to come.