How To Clean A Leather Couch

Leather is among the most common materials for clothing, crafting, and furnishings — and for good reason. Stylish and timeless, there is a place for leather in every style of home. While it is versatile and beautiful, many individuals have questions about the proper way to care for their leather furnishings. Even the oldest sofa can retain its life with regular semi-yearly or yearly maintenance. Follow these steps on how to clean a leather couch and you will be able to have beautiful furniture for a long time to come.

Step 1: Remove Debris

Step one of your cleaning process will be to remove larger debris. This is absolutely essential for the vitality of your sofa. The easiest and most effective way to go about clearing the stray particles away is with a hand vacuum. If there is large debris, use the uncovered vacuum to remove theme. Once the couch is visibly clean, attach a soft brush head and go over each section of the couch carefully. Follow through on EVERY crease and fold in your piece, as even the tiniest speck of dust has the ability to scratch the leather and cause damage. Finally, after thoroughly vacuuming, wipe down the couch with a (preferably) microfiber cloth.

Step 2: Cleaning The Couch

First and foremost, you will need your cleaner. While you can buy a product specifically for this purpose, you can also easily make one. Take equal parts water and vinegar and mix them together in a small bowl (the exact amount will depend on the size of your couch.) For best results, use room temperature distilled water, as tap water may contain chemicals that would potentially be harmful to the leather. Dip a (different) microfiber cloth into your solution and wring it out until it is damp, not wet, then gently wipe down the sofa from top to bottom. Work in small sections, rinsing and wringing out the cloth regularly to avoid spreading dirt. Then using the dry microfiber cloth from earlier, dry off your sofa.

Step 3: Condition For Long-Lasting Luster

If you wish to add vibrancy back to your leather couch, consider adding conditioner to your regular cleaning routine. For the best results, mix one part white vinegar and two parts linseed or flaxseed oil. If you want to get rid of the smell of vinegar, you can also add lemon or tea tree oil to the mix. As you did when cleaning, dip a microfiber cloth into your concoction until damp and gently wipe down the couch starting from top to bottom. Rather than removing it right away, leave the conditioner overnight and then wipe it off in the morning. Now your couch will look fantastic!

Bonus: Stain Removal

Part of living in a home is the messes that everyday life bring. Whether you host a messy guest or have children running around your home, there is always a stain somewhere! Here are some tips for cleaning common stains:

Grease: When most people see a stain, their first instinct is to immediately wipe it away with water. While this may work under some conditions, that is not the case with grease. Instead, sprinkle baking soda over the stain, leave it to soak for several hours, and then remove with a dry rag.

Ink: Did your kids decide that the couch is a coloring book? No need to worry. Dip a cotton ball in a small amount of rubbing alcohol and carefully blot the ink stain. Be cautious and do not saturate the leather. With enough blotting, you should begin to notice the stain lifting. Once it is no longer visible, wipe the surface of the couch with a damp cloth and then dry the area completely with a clean, dry cloth.


Mold And Mildew: Unfortunately, sometimes we come across leather couches that have succumbed to mold or mildew. The easiest way to kill these microbes is with rubbing alcohol. As with ink, dip a cotton ball into a small amount of rubbing alcohol and blot the area until the stain disappears. If you notice that there is still mold or mildew, mix two parts vinegar and one part water and gently blot the area with a cotton swab. This acidic combination should kill the fungus and restore the piece to its original state.


At Bel Furniture, we are dedicated to giving you the highest quality furniture at the lowest prices. With fifteen locations and two distribution centers across Texas, we are your top stop for furniture deals! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and check back here every month for new tips and announcements.