What You Need

  • Soft microfibre cloths (2–3)
  • Mild dish soap or leather cleaner
  • Leather conditioner (saddle soap or a dedicated leather conditioner)
  • Vacuum with soft brush attachment
  • Distilled water if possible (tap water leaves mineral marks)
Always test firstBefore cleaning any leather, test your cleaning solution on a hidden area (like the back or underside) and wait 10 minutes. Leather varies widely — what works on one couch may damage another.
  1. 1

    Vacuum the couch first

    Use a soft brush attachment to remove dust, crumbs and debris from all surfaces including creases and crevices. This prevents you rubbing dirt into the leather during cleaning.

  2. 2

    Wipe down with a damp cloth

    Wring a microfibre cloth until barely damp and wipe the entire surface to remove surface dust and oils. Use light pressure.

  3. 3

    Clean with diluted soap solution

    Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in a bowl of warm water. Dip a clean cloth, wring it out until almost dry, and wipe in small circular motions. Do a section at a time and do not let water sit on the leather.

  4. 4

    Dry immediately

    Follow immediately with a dry cloth to remove any moisture. Never leave leather wet — it dries stiff and can crack.

  5. 5

    Apply leather conditioner

    Once clean and dry, apply a leather conditioner using a soft cloth. Work in circular motions and buff off any excess. This restores moisture, prevents cracking and keeps the leather supple.

Removing Common Stains

  • Ink: Dab (never rub) with rubbing alcohol on a cotton bud. Work from the outside in. Act quickly.
  • Grease/oil: Sprinkle baking soda on the stain, leave for several hours to absorb the oil, then brush off gently and clean as normal.
  • Food spills: Blot immediately with a dry cloth to absorb as much as possible, then clean with the soap solution.
  • Water marks: Dampen the whole panel evenly, let dry naturally and condition. Treating just the mark leaves a ring.
Maintenance tipCondition leather every 3–6 months to keep it soft and prevent cracking. Keep leather furniture out of direct sunlight which dries and fades it over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Occasionally for a quick clean they are fine, but regular use is not recommended. Baby wipes contain alcohol and other chemicals that can dry out and damage leather over time. Use a proper leather cleaner for regular maintenance.
For light surface scratches, rub a small amount of leather conditioner into the scratch with your fingertip. The leather may absorb it and the scratch become less visible. For deeper scratches, leather repair kits are available from hardware and furniture stores.
A quick wipe with a barely damp cloth every 1–2 weeks. A full clean with soap solution every 2–3 months. Conditioning every 3–6 months. More frequently if you have children or pets.