10 Ways To Keep Your Sofa Looking Great & Feeling New

Care and Cleaning / April 2,2017

Let’s face it - when it comes to making an impression in your home, there’s nothing more swoon-worthy than a plush leather lounge suite that really ties your living space together. But just how do you keep your luxurious living room centrepiece looking as sleek and superb as when it first arrived? Proper maintenance and a little TLC goes a long way in the modern home, so we’ve put together a list of ten essential tips to help keep your leather furniture looking better than ever.

 

1. CLEAN THE CORRECT WAY

i.e. don’t take short cuts! Follow the step-by-step instructions outlined in our article How To Clean Your Leather Lounge In 5 Easy Steps, and don’t be afraid to do a bit of dusting if it helps.

 

2. SPOT-TEST THE RIGHT SPOT

Test out any new cleaning solutions on an area that’s not in immediate view, such as the back or side of your lounge, toward the bottom.

 

3. BE MINDFUL OF CLOTHING & SHOES

Lighter leather couches often feel the brunt of the fashion world (think blue denim slipping and sliding on your new, all white leather sofa) but any lounge suite, whether leather or fabric can feel the wrath of buttons, rivets, buckles, zippers or anything abrasive for that matter. And for the love of your couch, kick off those shoes before kicking up your feet at the end of a long day.

 

4. KEEP IT COVERED

For leather furniture placed in high-traffic areas, consider covering up your lounge suite with light sheets when not in use. This will save you a lot of time when it comes to cleaning, and a lot of tears if you end up with a greased-up couch to contend with.

 

5. KEEP PETS AT BAY

We all have a soft spot for our furry friends, but it doesn’t have to be on the couch! For those with claws, it’s best to pop a blanket in between paws and couch, for the betterment of your lounge’s life. Or better yet, find an adorable pillow for your pet to stretch out and snuggle into - the perfect solution for pets and parents alike.

 

6. KEEP THE KIDS IN CHECK

We all know the living room can be quite the jungle gym for little ones but when there’s a leather lounge at risk, it’s best to maintain a ‘sitting down’ policy to keep busy hands and feet in check.

 

7. KEEP IT OUT OF THE SUN

Particularly direct sunlight, but this also applies to heaters, fires and any other direct sources of excessive heat. Nobody likes a faded or cracked leather couch, so place your furniture accordingly (or keep those blinds down).

 

8. KEEP SHARP OBJECTS AWAY

This should be a no-brainer but in case you didn’t know, the lounge should be a no-go-zone for scissors, knives and anything else that may be sharp and pointy.

 

9. REGULAR MAINTENANCE IS KEY

Leather can be rather porous so it’s best to tend to accidents promptly - the last thing you want is a stain leaving a permanent reminder of why you shouldn’t eat or drink on the sofa.

 

10. SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT

There’s nothing worse than a bone-dry and cracked leather couch - ouch! Address cracks and rips before they appear and get help from a professional.

So there you have it! Follow these tips and rest assured your lounge suite will take your living room from drab to fab in next to no time.