How to care for a leather sofa: cleaning, conditioning and what to do about scratches

A leather sofa is one of the most expensive buys in a living room and one of the longest-lasting, on one condition: leather is a natural material and needs oils and moisture. Without them it goes dull, hardens and eventually cracks on the armrests and seats.

Weekly: dust and nothing else

Run a dry microfibre cloth or the vacuum's soft brush over it. Accumulated dust works like sandpaper every time someone sits down.

Monthly: gentle cleaning

• Warm water with a few drops of neutral soap.
• A well-wrung cloth: the leather must not get wet.
• Dry with another clean cloth.

No alcohol, ammonia, wipes or multi-purpose cleaners: they dry it out.

Every 6 months: conditioning

This is the difference between a sofa that lasts 5 years and one that lasts 25. A leather balm puts back the oils the leather loses to use, heating and sun.

• Clean first.
• Test on a hidden spot.
• Apply a thin layer with the sponge, in circles.
• Let it work a few minutes and buff with a dry cloth.

Cat scratches and worn areas

Surface scratches and dull areas (armrests, seat edges) are hidden with the same balm: the oils darken the leather slightly and fill fine marks. Two thin coats work better than one thick one. A deep cut needs a repair kit or an upholsterer.

Mistakes that ruin a leather sofa

• Placing it against a radiator or in direct sun from a window.
• Scrubbing stains hard.
• Using shoe products with solvents.
• Waiting until the leather is already cracked to condition it.

And the rest of the house

The same balm works on shoes, bags, belts, smooth-leather jackets and unlacquered wooden furniture. One tin lasts months.