Cleaning & Repair Leather Sofa

Please can anyone help me? I have a light beige leather sofa. What do I need to do to clean it plus it also has a scrape on it. What can I do to repaid it?
Thanks again.
Shirley Bybee Hill
  13 answers
  • Martha R Martha R on Sep 19, 2013
    For the scrapes use a mans wax shoe polish the same color on it and then buff with a rag. Use vinegar and water solution to clean it.
  • Sherrie Sherrie on Sep 19, 2013
    the leather stores have a color that will match your scrape and it will have the right cleaner. But you can buy professional acrylic paint, the kind artist use it is in a tube. This is the same the leather shops sale. Then use a leather cleaner. General cleaning is to use a damp cloth with distilled water, you can boil water to make your own with a barely damp sot cloth wipe it down and dry it. I am posting professional guidelines for two different companies Wollsdoor Leather, and Lazyboy. They should give you the correct directions, http://www.la-z-boy.com/files/productcare/LeatherBrochure.pdf http://www.wollsdorfleather.com/aus/service/downloads/leathercare.pdf Please use these guidelines. Wollsdor leather tells you the differences in leather and how to clean it. La-z-boy gives you generic cleaning directions. I didn't see vinegar which is my arch ememy because people use it wrong and for the wrong things. Not because its a bad cleaner but because people use it wrong. : )
  • Carole Carole on Sep 19, 2013
    I agree with Martha R re the shoe or leather polish in same colour. Rub well in though as you don't want it coming off on your clothes when you sit. For cleaning I would tend to buy a leather cleaning kit with a conditioner also in the kit rather than use anything else on it. Depends on the type and quality of the leather. If the leather is natural and not protected by a man made coat of something over the leather (surprising how many leathers are treated with this protective coat) and marks easily - I would not use anything other than leather related product on it. If it has a man made protection on it then you might get away with water and mild detergent - not sure about the vinegar - never tried it.
  • Sharron W Sharron W on Sep 20, 2013
    I use Murphy's oil soap in water to clean leather furniture. I dunk a microfiber cloth, wring it almost dry and wash down the sofa. If you simply use the men's clear shoe polish on the scrape it should all but disappear...be sure and buff it with a dry rag thoroughly to get all the excess removed.
  • GardenGypsy GardenGypsy on Sep 20, 2013
    I used to do lady I worked for her sofa,s every otherweek with Murphy oil soap(I hate the smell)use hot water,wash -dry using clean cloth!!works well Leather cleaner to expensive just done one last week!Clean houses for 30yrs!!!
  • Martha R Martha R on Sep 20, 2013
    Don't forget to let me know how it works.I have a black leather recliner and the cats have made a billion scratches on it and I am sure there is no hope for my problem.
  • Cheryl Gough Cheryl Gough on Sep 21, 2013
    Martha, I have the same problem. The cats have done a number on my burgendy sofa and love seat. I think it would take a miracle to restore them.
  • Paula Giacobbi Burgess Paula Giacobbi Burgess on Sep 21, 2013
    I only use beeswax spray for furniture and leather. I first purchased a bottle in an antique shop and was pleasantly surprised that it was also used for fine leather furnitshings . It does not discolor and cleans & removes scrapes while softening and protecting the leather . It also has a very pleasant fragrance without residue . It can be purchased online in spray bottles. I ordered a case of 12 bottles and it has lasted forever,. Well worth the price
  • KatieAnn KatieAnn on Sep 21, 2013
    I have a rather expensive leather sofa and when I bought it I was told to only clean it with liquid Ivory soap. The micro fiber cloth as suggested above is a good idea. I wouldn't use vinegar as it is a acid. There are professionals who repair leather. You might check this out before trying random diy fixes, especially if the scrape is in a prominent place. If you can figure out how to fix the 4 to 5 inches of leather the new puppy ripped off two corners of the ottoman, I'd be happy to know.
    • Debbie Hickman Debbie Hickman on Sep 21, 2013
      @KatieAnn you are right, DO NOT USE VINEGAR. i sprayed my leather recliner with a mix a vinegar and water and it destroyed the leather.
  • Sue Weiker Sue Weiker on Sep 21, 2013
    My leather sofa came with instructions to use only warm water with a mild facial soap such as nuetrogena or basis and distilled water. You have to also, know what kind of leather you are cleaning. there are different kinds, and finishes on them. Always refer to your manufacturer information to do what is best for your type of leather. Before buying this, I didn't even know there were different kinds. We had the sofa built by the amish near us and that is absolutely what they recommend hands down. We've had ours 10 years,(knock on wood) not a scratch or mar on it yet. Here is the information with ours that tells you how to keep it nice. Vinegar is an acid, but, having been a beautician, I know that it's a ph balancing acid. That is why it is good for sunburns. It puts what you use it on back to it's natural ph balance quicker. Information on my sofa: Leather does occasionally need to be replenished. Although there are products on the market for this, you might try mixing 1 part distilled white vinegar with 2 parts linseed oil. Shake well and apply to leather in broad circular motions. Let sit for about 10 minutes, then buff with a soft cloth. A second buffing may be necessary.NEVER use baby wipes or any other alkaline cleaner on your leather furniture as it may damage the finish.
  • Eddy Foster Beard Eddy Foster Beard on Oct 19, 2015
    You can find excellent products to restore your leather to new condition. Go to http://www.leatherworldtech.com/LeatherColorChart.aspx?CategoryID=1&CategoryName=Acura%20%20Honda and watch the videos to see how it is done. Then order the needed products. There are also other companies that have professional supplies. If you search http://www.youtube.com and look for "leather repair" you can see excellent videos that will show how to solve about any problem you may have with your leather furniture.
  • Viajy Viajy on Jul 07, 2016
    suede leather cleaning
  • My white Italian leather sofa and recliner both are yellow from my in-laws smoking. I got these two pieces from them and had no idea what to do to get them white again. Well I mixed up Smiple Green very weak and in a circular motion started cleaning. It took it back to white. Then I found some leather conditioner and put it on. I then was amazed to have a brand new set of leather furniture. People were amazed that it was their sofa and recliner. They never knew it was to be white!!!