Leather Care: Lotion and Cleaning Tips for Leather Furniture

Protect your leather furiture with this recipe for leather lotion and these tips for cleaning leather furniture.

By Natural Home Staff
November/December 2006
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If treated well, leather furniture will shed stains and withstand a good bit of abuse. Expect from your furniture what you would a pair of well-loved shoes: It gets scratched from relatively normal wear.

Leather Lotion

Like skin, leather benefits from moisturizing. This recipe is made with linseed oil (from flax), an old favorite for preserving leather. Hardware-store varieties usually contain petroleum products, added to decrease drying time. Instead, use food-grade linseed oil-better known as flax or omega-3 oil-from a natural foods store. Even a light conditioner like this one can alter the leather's appearance, so test on an inconspicuous place.

1/4 cup flaxseed oil
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 to 2 drops food-grade orange oil (available from gourmet grocers)

1. Place the ingredients in a glass jar with a lid. Cover and shake before using.

2. Apply with a soft, clean cloth. Rub the mixture on one small area at a time and buff until the surface dries.

Nontoxic Leather Cleaning Tips

1. Use a microfiber cloth to dust your leather furniture.

2. For heavier concentrations of dirt, dampen the microfiber cloth.

3. Test new cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous place. Never use saddle soap, furniture polish, oil, varnish, or abrasive or ammonia-based cleansers on leather furniture-their harsh cleansers can strip leather of its natural oils and ruin the dye.

4. Try removing small stains with four parts warm water to one part vinegar. Slightly dampen a clean cloth and blot the stain. You can gradually raise the ratio of vinegar and water to 1:1 if the stain is stubborn.

5. If all else fails, use a clean cloth with moisturizing soap and water. Should the stain resist even this attempt, consult a professional.

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