How to Clean a Leather Sofa the Right Way

How far you go depends on the leather. A sofa with a protective finish can take a gentle clean with a damp cloth and a leather cleaner. Aniline and nubuck need much less, so find out which one you have before anything wet touches it.

What to have ready:

• A vacuum with a soft brush head
• Three or four clean white or colourfast cloths (microfibre works well)
• A soft sponge
• A bowl of warm water
• A mild, fragrance-free soap, or the cleaner your sofa maker supplies
• A leather conditioner (not for nubuck)
• For nubuck only, a dry nubuck brush

A single drop of water on a hidden spot tells you how absorbent your leather is, and that decides how you clean it. Check the label or your sofa paperwork first, as it may name the leather type.

Make sure it is real leather too. Furniture Village points out that good faux leather can pass for the real thing.

How to do the test:

• Pick a spot nobody sees, such as the back of the sofa near the floor.
• Let one small drop of water fall on the leather.
• Watch it for a few minutes, then dab it away with a dry cloth.

Leather care maker Furniture Clinic describes how aniline, semi-aniline and pigmented leather react in its guide to leather types and its pages on each one:

Lacquered aniline can fool the test, because Furniture Clinic says some aniline leathers are sprayed with a thin lacquer, so check the surface through a magnifying glass. Furniture Clinic says aniline shows many small holes where the hair was removed; on coated leathers they are filled in or hard to see. If you spot them, use the gentle method below.

• Take the cushions off and vacuum. Use the soft brush head along the seams and down the sides. Furniture Village warns that a bare plastic nozzle could mark the leather.
• Wipe off the dust. Wring a cloth until it is only just damp, then go over the surface lightly.
• Test your leather sofa cleaner. Try it on a hidden area first, as Which? advises in its guide to deep cleaning a sofa.
• Clean one panel at a time. Furniture Clinic advises putting the cleaner on a sponge, never straight on the leather. Work it in with circular movements, and do not scrub, as Furniture Village warns.
• Wipe each panel seam to seam. Use a fresh cloth dampened with warm water across the whole panel or cushion.
• Pat it dry, then let it air dry. Which? recommends both.
• Condition once it is completely dry. Work it in with a clean cloth, one area at a time, then buff.

To clean a leather sofa naturally, Which? suggests mild soap in warm water when a damp cloth alone will not shift a mark. Furniture Village prefers a soap that is natural and fragrance-free.

Cream or White Leather Sofa

Pale leather shows every grubby patch. Cleaning a white leather sofa follows the same steps, with extra care over cloths and dirt in the grain.

Furniture Clinic picked a white sofa for its cleaning tutorial because white leather shows dirt the most. A sponge is enough for most leather, it says, but very dirty or light leather is easier with a leather cleaning brush. Stick to white cloths, so no colour comes off the cloth onto the leather.

• Washing-up liquid. Sofology names it among the products never to use on its leather.
• Heat. Which? says to keep leather away from heat, so never dry a damp patch with a hairdryer or near a radiator.
• Sharp objects. Which? names pet claws, keys in pockets and sharp accessories.

Not every maker agrees on soap. If your maker gave you a care kit, start with that.

To condition a leather sofa, Furniture Village suggests working one area at a time with a clean cloth, ideally with a natural, wax-based conditioner.

For day-to-day leather sofa care, Sofology suggests vacuuming the seats and sides weekly, because grit left on the surface can damage the leather.

Before we clean a sofa we do a patch test. Most common stains can be removed. Some may be permanent; we give honest advice before we start.

Cleaning will not mend cracks, peeling or faded colour, so mention any of those when you get in touch.

You can read more about leather sofa cleaning in Manchester, including fabric prices. Other furniture is covered on our upholstery cleaning page.

The minimum charge is £80 per visit, with nothing to pay until the work is done. Blowup Cleaners is rated 5.0 on Google, and you can read our customer reviews.