What kind of soap is safe to use on leather furniture, besides the stuff from Sofa Mart?
Question:I am about to run out of Sofa Mart leather cleaner and it's very expensive. Are there any cheaper things to use that are also safe for leather furniture?
Answers:
You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner. With light coloured furniture dye transfer from clothing can be a problem although using a good quality leather protector will help inhibit this.
DO NOT use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones. (Most 'conditioners' contain waxes or oils) and furniture polish contains silicones
BABY WIPES are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkiline cleaners to neutralise urine (acid) on babys skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.
Saddle soap is too harsh to use on todays furniture and should not be used.
A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it. They are not cheap in the long run as you would need a lot to clean a whole leather sofa. A bottle of foam cleaner should do your furniture 1-2 times.
Fairy liquid or washing detergents contain more salt these days to get dishes clean and this will break the finish down on your leather. This has been verified by the manufacturers (as with the baby wipes).
You should also follow cleaning with a good water based leather protector which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.
Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. Wiping over with a damp cloth regularly will help to do this.
It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of body oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this.
The alternative is a brand new product on the market called Lazy Leather. This is the latest technology in cleaning and combines an effective cleaner with a protector. It is quick and easy to use and should be used as a maintenance product once your suite has been cleaned or from new if you have just bought it.
If you want any further advice you can telephone 01423 881027 and I will be glad to help.
Source(s):
www.LTTsolutions.net
Leather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries
Use saddle soap from a horse tack shop or a farm store that stocks horse supplies. It is especially made for leather saddles and if it can clean a stinky saddle that has been on a horse, it will clean leather furniture. Just read the can and follow the instructions. It will cost you pennies compared to stuff that furniture stores will try to sell you.
saddle soap
Saddle soap and Murphy's Oil Soap.
Murphy's Oil Soap! It will clean and condition the leather and I think it smells GREAT! I used this a lot on saddles & bridles and my leather jacket.
saddle soap.
Saddle soap is safe, Also a small amount of your own dish washing detergent will clean your leather furniture, as long as you rinse straight away with clear water and dry it well.
Lexol works well too. http://www.lexol.com/
Ivory dish soap and water.
Years ago when we bought expensive leather furniture from Mashall Fields Department store in Chicago.. they told my mom for cleaning, use a little liquid Ivory Dish soap with warm water... cleans leather and is gentle. We had 5 kids and this did the trick and the leather was never damaged from too harsh of chemicals!!
Leather cleaner from any janitorial store or hardware. Check some fabric stores as well.
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