How To Keep Your Leather Upholstery From Cracking

While leather may not seem practical at first glance, it continues to be a popular upholstery material. Beyond its classy aesthetics, leather upholstery is also durable, requiring low maintenance. Unlike regular fabrics or polyester upholstery, leather upholstery requires special cleaning methods. Cracking is a common problem resulting from improper care of leather furniture. Not much can be done once cracking occurs. Therefore, it is better to take care of the issue before it escalates. In this article, we will share how you should maintain your leather upholstery to prevent it from drying out.

1. Regular cleaning 

It is advisable to clean your leather upholstery on a regular basis. This removes all the dirt and oil residues on the furniture surface, which prevents them from soaking in and leading to cracking eventually. When cleaning, remember to focus on the seating cushions, arms and backrest. with constant wear. Here are some useful tips for you to follow: 

• Vacuuming of leather upholstery should be done weekly.
• Deeper cleaning is required once every four to six weeks.
• Deep conditioning should be carried out once every six months. 

Meanwhile, you may also need the following cleaning guide to care for your leather upholstery:

Step 1: Vacuuming

Step 2: Wiping the dirt away

Step 3: Cleaning with a specialist product

Step 4: Applying a leather conditioner

To ensure an effective and hassle-free process, seek professional assistance from any leather sofa cleaning service provider in Singapore. 

Learn more: Stains begone: Ways to upkeep your leather sofa

2. Avoid exposure to excessive dirt and body oil 

Limiting exposure to excessive dirt and body oil is another way to keep your leather upholstery from cracking easily. Due to its porous nature, leather easily soaks up liquids such as oils from our body. These oils then get absorbed into the top layer of the leather and become abrasive. Over time, the surface of the leather may break down and form cracks. This explains why too much dirt and body oil affects the longevity of the piece. Therefore, do avoid sitting on your leather upholstery if you are sweaty or after wearing sunscreen. Should you be lying on your leather furniture for extended periods, remember to cover the headrest of a leather recliner before resting your head on it. 

3. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or a high heat source

Exposing your leather upholstery to direct sunlight or a high heat source causes fast dehydration. It is advisable to monitor the humidity of the room where your leather upholstery is placed. The ideal humidity percentage should be between 40% and 50% consistently. In addition, constantly check for signs of dehydration to prevent cracking. Keep in mind that you can always hire leather sofa cleaning services if you require professional help.

4. Conditioning leather upholstery 

Using a leather protector also helps to prevent cracking and other damages. When your leather upholstery is conditioned, a barrier is created, blocking the surface from absorbing hair products and body oils, as well as any dirt. Apart from that, added protective layers will moisturise leather upholstery. Refer to the guide below to condition in the right way:

Step 1: Apply leather protector on a microfiber cloth 

Step 2: Gently work the solution into the leather 

Step 3: Remove any excess leather protector

Step 4: Wipe down the leather with a dry cloth to remove extra leather protector

There are various leather protection products available for selection. Doing your research helps you make a more informed decision. Better yet, you can engage a leather sofa cleaning company in Singapore to revitalise your upholstery. 

When it comes to leather upholstery, keeping it clean and well-maintained is key to prolonging its lifespan. To ensure a worthy investment, try following the above steps.

At Clean Care, we provide quality regular upholstery maintenance cleaning services. We always strive to enhance environments to a superior state of cleanliness and hygiene. Looking for a reliable and meticulous cleaning process? Call us now for more information.