How to Care for and Protect Leather Furniture

Is your leather furniture looking worn and faded? You probably need to condition it! Let me walk you through the simple steps to maintain it for years to come.

I love using leather when styling my home because it adds warmth and a luxurious look to any space. I also find that incorporating leather upholstery is a great way to pull a room together, balancing a masculine and feminine feel.

However, people are often nervous about using leather products in their homes. I’m here to tell you that with the proper care and a good leather cleaner, it’s possible to have your beloved leather pieces looking great for a long time.

Why I Love Leather

First, I think the best thing about leather is that it’s like a chameleon – it can be country, mid-century modern, contemporary, traditional – anything you want! Adding it to a room almost always complements any interior design style.

The trade-off is that buying real leather is typically a financial investment and you’ll be spending more for new furniture than you would for another fabric. However, unlike fabric upholstery, your leather is going to keep getting better over time!

With regular use, a natural patina will develop. This is that luxurious “lived in” look you see on leather couches or a vintage leather jacket. It comes from natural oils left behind and just plain regular use. So, the good news is that with time and regular maintenance, your furniture will age like fine wine and cheese. (That’s what we all want, right?!)

It’s important to note leather’s durability. Leather is naturally treated to resist liquids, making spills easy to clean if caught quickly. This almost “wipeable” feature means that leather couches are a great way to bring elevated style to a home with kids and pets, too!

In fact, if I had a do-over with a new sofa, I would probably opt for a leather sofa instead of the white couch we currently have. Clearly, that was a purchase made before kids were in our lives. Ha!

Quick Cleaning Tips For Leather Furniture

I’m not gonna lie, dusting is my least favorite household chore. Thankfully, I have the best cleaners come every other week to help me out. They dust everything in the house, including our leather chair and leather bench.

You can just use a microfiber cloth to keep the surfaces shiny and dust-free. If you come across crumbs or loose dirt, grab your vacuum cleaner, remove the cushions, and get those right up, too! If you have a soft brush attachment for your vacuum, that would be best!

This is also a good time to check for any stains. Now don’t forget, accidents are inevitable and your leather will recover! If I come across stubborn stains, I get a soft cloth with warm water, and dab the area lightly. Then, I use a dry cloth to buff the area out with a circular motion.

Your Monthly Leather Furniture Care

It is recommended that you condition your leather furniture monthly, but I rarely get around to doing that. At a minimum, I would suggest giving it some love with a leather conditioner every six months. In fact, that’s what I advise on my Your Home Playbook document.

The leather conditioner prevents it from getting too dry, or cracking! Otter Wax was recommended when I bought my leather chair and bench. So, that’s what I use and I have not had any complaints!

Otter Wax is a natural product that works on any type of leather. You can even use it on coats, shoes, belts, and more. You can use this leather oil as needed, but it’s suggested to use it about once a month so that you can restore the leather’s shine and original color. Plus, it acts as a protective coat.

When I first tried it out, I was super nervous because it did make the leather a bit darker. However, this is totally normal and it will dry a-okay! 

When it’s time to condition, the first step is to shake the bottle well and put some on a clean microfiber cloth. If it’s the first time you’re trying out a product on your piece of furniture, it’s a good idea to start with a spot test. Choose a small, inconspicuous area on your furniture to test it out.

The photo shows the difference in coloring right when I applied it. Just apply a light coat all over your piece of leather furniture, let it dry, and then buff it in a circular motion with another dry microfiber cloth. The result will be shiny and well-moisturized leather!

What About Scratches?

Scratches are inevitable for leather furniture owners. They add character and tell the story of a well-loved piece. That said, you don’t have to live with every mark!

For minor scratches, I’ve heard amazing things about Leather CPR, a product recommended by my friends Kim and Scott over at Yellow Brick Home. They swear by its ability to blend away small marks while also offering a layer of protection against future scratches. It’s a quick and easy way to keep your leather looking its best.

For deeper scratches, a leather repair kit is your best bet. Look for one that matches the exact color of your furniture for seamless results. These kits typically come with a filler to repair the scratch and a colorant to blend it into the rest of the leather. If you’re unsure about tackling this yourself, many professionals offer repair services for a flawless finish.

It is also be a good idea to try to prevent scratches in the first place. Trim pet nails, use pretty throw blankets, and keep sharp objects away from your fave leather furniture pieces.

The Leather Furniture We Have and Love

This chair was such a great buy! It’s from Article, but is sadly no longer sold. When Finn and I are just lounging around and talking, he’ll snag a spot on our couch and I cozy up in the chair. I’m really happy we added a chair here because it makes the layout more conversational.

We get a lot of direct sunlight in our home, so I was initially worried about this piece fading. Luckily, over eight years later, the color is still that gorgeous cognac!

The other leather piece we have is the bench that sits at the end of our bed – again from Article and discontinued. While it doesn’t get the regular use that my chair does, it certainly looks great! I like the contrast of fabric and color next to my bed. With the sheepskin throw on top, it just looks so inviting.

The Leather Pieces I’m Loving Right Now

Unfortunately, my leather chair and bench have since been retired by Article. But, not to worry because there are SO many other stunning pieces of leather furniture out there! I especially like the idea of upgrading the beanbags in a kids’ space, to a more modern leather beanbag!

And I must give a special shout out to this amazing leather sofa I chose for my dad’s place. He wanted it to be kid-friendly and this couch is so comfortable and will age beautifully!

Bring On The Leather!

The best thing about leather is that each piece is different. Leather is already perfectly imperfect and any additional scratch or ding will just add to the beautiful, natural patina that comes with use and age – just like us humans!

So, don’t be afraid to live your life and do your thing with your leather upholstery. The most important thing is to give it regular care and it will return the favor for a long time!

And if you have trouble staying on top of these home tasks, be sure to check out Your Home Playbook. My digital guide to keep your home running smoothly.