When buying a sofas for your home, choosing fabric isn’t just about choosing a color and pattern that matches your decor, or a texture that your family is likely to find cozy and comfortable. You should also consider how difficult it is to clean the sofa you choose. While most sofas can be chemically treated to protect them from stains, this may not be enough to keep your sofa looking clean and new after several years, or even months, of regular use. This is especially true if you have children or pets in the house.
The three obvious options for an easy-to-clean sofa are microfiber sofas, leather sofas, and machine washable fabric sofas.
Is leather sofa easier to clean?
Leather Sofas
Most people automatically opt for a leather sofa if they appreciate the ease of cleaning sofa. Leather sofas are usually easy to clean if you have to wipe up spills, and they can look like new if you regularly treat the leather with a leather treatment product. While a leather sofa is a good choice for those who expect accidental spills, those with young children or pets are better off choosing a washable microfiber sofa, as the leather can be easily punctured by claws and playing children, and pets can leave odors on the leather sofa fabric. However, if you order your leather sofa from a company that offers replacement fabrics for leather sofas, this is not a problem.
Microfiber Sofas
The second option to consider is microfiber sofas, which are incredibly easy to clean, mainly due to the inherent stain resistance of microfiber fabrics. This synthetic material repels spills, so liquid stains can be easily wiped up on the spot. If you notice an unpleasant stain or spill, simply use soap and water or a mild detergent and your microfiber sofa will be as good as new again. Some microfiber sofas are even machine washable, making them ideal for families with pets and children.
Washable sofas
Washable sofa covers are the perfect choice for families with children or pets, as well as anyone who expects their sofa to be tested for cleanliness. Sofa covers that can be removed from the cushions and base and washed in a standard household washing machine are often the best choice for those who expect stains or odors on their sofa. These washable fabrics can be cleaned off the sofa if something has been spilled, or machine washed to remove pet odors or freshen the fabric after months of use. Microfiber washable sofas are especially great for families because they are easy to clean and have a soft, comfortable, and inviting texture.
Cleaning leather sofas
Why are there different types of leather?
The most common are pigmented or dyed leathers, which are coated with a dye that makes the leather almost impervious to dirt, but not too resistant to oils, grease, etc.
There are different types of leather finishes.
- Pigmented – usually cream or brown, but can be any color.
- Anilinear – they are easily damaged by contact with liquids and therefore must be treated with a protective agent.
- Semi-aniline
- Suede and Nubuck – both of these fabrics are very susceptible to permanent damage from liquid spills because they absorb moisture well.
Know the type of material before cleaning
Different methods are used to clean all of these materials and it is important that a leather cleaner, or yourself if you are trying to do it yourself, know the difference. If nubuck or suede is wet cleaned, the results can be terrible, but there are a number of imitation suede materials that cannot be wet cleaned and will be permanently damaged if solvents are used.
improper cleaning can be expensive
As you can see, improper cleaning can be very expensive. Therefore, it is usually best to use the services of a professional leather cleaner. Before you start working with leather, you need to know what type of leather it is.
Pigmented leather is usually the same color, but can have a different finish to give an antique look, and it is not soaked in water, which means it does not change color. Aniline and semi-aniline leathers soften and darken with water, but this usually disappears once dry.
Suede and nubuck get wet and “feel”.
Many people think that leather is an easy product to care for, and that is where many problems lie. Regular wiping with a damp cloth will remove much of the dirt while providing some moisture. It is always best to avoid baby wipes, etc., as they can damage the protective top layer and cause problems later on.
Tips for Cleaning a Black Leather Sofa
Many people consider a black leather sofa to be the best choice when it comes to buying a sofa. Black is not only a stylish, elegant and cool option, but it also goes with everything. With this type of furniture, you also have the option of choosing a casual retro style or a more modern look.
Among the different classes, a leather sofa is really what they want. This is because it looks majestic and simple at the same time. It’s also a piece of furniture that won’t make you change your sofa anytime soon.
But how do you clean a leather sofa?
Regular Cleaning
To keep your black leather sofa looking good for a long time, it’s important to keep it clean. This can be done by regularly wiping the sofa with a dry cloth and vacuuming the corners of the sofa. However, regular cleaning doesn’t mean you have to clean the sofa every time you have a party. You can take care of your leather sofa by cleaning it weekly. If you spill something on the sofa, make sure you clean it quickly and properly.
Avoid using a lot of water, soap, ammonia, or other cleaning products.
This is a common mistake people make when cleaning their black leather sofa. You should definitely not use too much water and soap, as this can speed up the decomposition of the leather. At the same time, using strong solvents like ammonia will only discolor the leather. If a stain appears, use only a small amount of water to remove it, and do not leave standing water on the surface of the hide.
Use a suitable hide conditioner
Some people think that frequent use of leather conditioners. When cleaning a black leather sofa will make their furniture shine forever. It won’t. Conditioner should be used every 6 to 12 months. It is also important to only apply a small amount of conditioner.
Avoid direct sunlight and heat
Your black leather sofa should be protected from direct sunlight and heat. This means that you should not place it near a window or fireplace. Instead, choose the coolest spot in your living room.
Your favorite spot needs to be maintained
If you’re like most people, you also have a favorite spot on the couch. It’s important that you take care of this spot because it’s the first to show signs of wear and tear. It’s a good idea to change the stain every once in a while to maintain the quality of your sofa.
Your black leather sofa may have cost hundreds of dollars. So you need to take great care of it to make sure you haven’t thrown your money away. At the same time, your children will be able to use the sofa if you pass it on to them.
