Why You Should Treat Leather and Cloth Upholstery Differently

Maintaining the valuable furniture in your home makes pieces last longer and over time, saves money. After all, furniture is a big investment. The upholstery in your home requires regular cleaning, not only to keep items sanitary but looking like new as well.

Still, cloth and leather upholstery are completely different materials. Each requires distinct methods of cleaning and should not be treated the same. Undeniably, there are several important reasons why you should treat leather and upholstery differently when it comes to cleaning.

LEATHER UPHOLSTERY

Leather requires special care when cleaning to avoid damage.

• While using a spot cleaning solution on cloth can work flawlessly, the same solution can cause discolouration on leather.
• Moreover, you cannot rinse leather upholstery because the soapy water can be absorbed by the leather. This can cause it to dry out and crack.
• Leather should not be vigorously rubbed either as it can scratch and become cracked and faded over time.
• Without proper cleaning, leather furniture becomes worn looking. Although leather repels most stains, it can accumulate oils and sweat. This can damage the look of leather over time if not properly protected.
• A genuine leather cleanser can be used to remove most stains and restore it back to mint condition.
• A protective coating is also essential to maintain the gleaming appearance of leather upholstery and prevent cracking.
• Instead of regular vacuuming, leather upholstery may be wiped with a soft cloth dampened with equal parts water and white vinegar. Next, condition with an upholstery leather conditioner. Finally, buff with a dry soft cloth. Using the right cleaning and conditioners for leather will help to take away grime without stripping leather of its natural oils.
• The ideal method of cleaning leather upholstery is with a professional cleaning service. Upholstery cleaners have the proper cleaning solutions and tools to handle leather and keep it protected.

CLOTH UPHOLSTERY

 Unlike leather, cloth upholstery stands up well to spot cleaning.

• Cloth absorbs spills more quickly than leather. Consequently, you may need to spend more time and energy cleaning fabric furniture as opposed to leather.
• Cloth is more scratch resistant and can therefore hold up under more vigorous cleaning compared to leather.
• However, experts warn against rubbing stains with a cloth and mild detergent as doing so may force the stain into the fabric’s delicate fibres.
• Fabrics are more prone to stains than leather. Spills must be gently dabbed and blotted up immediately or they can set.
• Sofas covered in fabric should also be professionally cleaned a few times per year to eliminate the build-up of oils, pet debris, sweat, and odours.
• Experts recommend regular vacuuming of cloth upholstery to get rid of dust and keep it smelling fresh. Vacuuming is not recommended for leather as it can easily scratch.

Leather and cloth furniture have advantages and disadvantages in terms of appearance, comfort, and durability. Certainly, they are similar in many ways. However, the two significantly differ when it comes to cleaning. Homeowners should absolutely follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines for optimal results.

When it comes to cleaning upholstery, we understand the challenges that face homeowners. Our staff has expert techniques and tools to clean all types of upholstered furniture. For further assistance, contact our upholstery cleaning experts at Premier. We’ll keep your leather and cloth upholstery looking sensational for years to come.
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