Thanks to our 25-year experience in the leather industry, we think we can give some good advice to keep your sofa clean and in great shape. The major worries are to keep the colours bright and vivid, to preserve white leather from turning yellow and to maintain the suppleness and elasticity of the material. Let’s start speaking about homemade cleaning systems. We recommend a simple non-abrasive sponge with some water, cleanser and, one of grandma’s home remedies, fresh milk. You should quickly dry the sofa well with a dry cloth. To achieve good results and keep the colours bright, you may use some beeswax.
Let’s now see the use of specific kits. Various brands offer a wide range of kits. They are generally composed of two products: one to remove stains, even in case of specific stains (ink is the most feared) and the other to nourish and moisturize the leather. They are usually accompanied by a sponge and a microfiber cloth to spread the moisturizing emulsion. It is really not recommended to use generic detergents and degreasers, because if on the one side they can give an immediate result, in the long run they irremediably compromise the surface. As a good rule of thumb, it is recommended to often dust the couch with a dampened microfiber cloth because dust creates a layer on the surface preventing the leather from breathing.
If the sofa is in nubuck leather, you have to pay more attention because liquids are quickly absorbed. If you pour water or other drinks, it is better to quickly dab with paper towels and generally, on unfinished leather, you should act swiftly with any type of stain. There are special cleaning kits that are often the same used for suede shoes. It is better not to let the dust settle and a good idea is to remove it with a vacuum cleaner or brush it off with a soft bristle brush quite often.
As a precaution you should always try the product in a hidden corner of the sofa before using it. If the stain is persistent, it is better not to further insist to avoid damaging your sofa, and rely on a professional cleaner.
In general, it is better to keep the leather away from heat sources such as radiators or fireplaces, which could dry it, and try to avoid direct sunlight because some materials tend to fade or turn yellow, especially in the case of white sofas.
Although the more a leather sofa ages the more it becomes beautiful (and of this we are absolutely convinced), someone may not like the aged effect but it is important to remember that the leather is still a natural product and may change over time. Fine lines and streaks, uneven colour are actually a sign of a good quality product that can last a lifetime, and sometimes these “imperfections” become fashionable.
In any case, only trust good products “Made in Italy” because the stain resistance tests are now a standard practice for us, Marchetto Pellami, but also for any serious tanning professional that wants to maintain the quality standards required by the market and its customers.