Leather furniture can be a beautiful addition to any home. However, if does require care. If you have children, pets or clumsy friends, it may require additional care. With proper care, you can be sure your leather furniture lasts for years to come.

Protection

The first step in keeping your leather furniture looking new is protecting it. Sunlight, heat and moisture can degrade leather. If your furniture does not have a UV protective coat, it should be placed in a location where it is not exposed to sunlight. Alternately, curtains, blinds or other sunlight blocking devices should be used. Take care that furniture is not placed in a location near heat vents or fireplaces, or locations that are damp.

These days, some leather conditioners come with built-in protectors. These can range from UV blockers to stain resistance to liquid resistance. Check the label of the product to make sure it is offered the protectors you need.

Cleaning

Unless stains or heavy soil is present, cleaning is only required occasionally, roughly four times a year. Dusting once a week will ensure the leather is able to breathe. The furniture can be wiped down with a lightly dampened cloth once or twice a month to keep it clean.

If stains are present, they should be treated immediately to prevent them becoming embedded in the fibers of the leather. Grease stains should be blotted to remove excess and then covered with a layer of talcum powder. Allow to sit overnight and wipe away the powder in the morning.

Liquid spills should be blotted and allowed to air dry. Gum can be removed by rubbing a bag of ice over the gum to harden it and then pulling it off. Any remaining residue can be warmed with a hair dryer and rubbed off with a clean cloth.

The product used for cleaning varies depending on the type of leather furniture you have. Typically, there is a tag somewhere on the furniture that tells the type. Once you know the type, use a cleaner designed for use on that type of leather. Care should be taken to not over-wet the leather. While some leathers can withstand liquids to a certain point, others are more delicate and you risk leaving marks on the fabric.

Conditioning

Even with proper protection and cleaning, your leather will need conditioning to retain its appearance and feel. Conditioning should be done every six to nine months. If you clean your furniture every three months, you may want to condition after every other cleaning to ensure you don't forget.

Depending on the type of leather your furniture is made of, you may need conditioner or a preservative. Typically, leather conditioners are labeled with the type of leather they are meant to be used with. Preservatives are generally used with unfinished leathers. Mink oil is a popular leather preservative.

If you give your leather furniture the care and maintenance it requires, there is no reason it should not withstand years of use.