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There are various pros and cons to owning leather sofas.

Leather sofas are available in many sizes and various colours; not only are they hard wearing but they are also luxurious. However, a little bit of effort is often required to ensure that a leather sofa lasts for a long time and furthermore maintain its luxurious look and feel. Looking after a leather sofa is not difficult but is very necessary.
Contrary to popular belief it is not necessary to have a leather sofa professionally cleaned unless there is major staining or severe fabric damage, in most instances leather sofas will come with care instructions and advice from the manufacturer.

For most leather sofa owners the easiest and most practical way to look after a leather sofa is to use a cloth dampened in warm soapy water, this will remove everyday grime and dirt. Heavy rubbing of the leather should be avoided as this only serves to embed the dirt even further into the pores of the leather, the leather should be cleaned gently. For heavier dirt it may be necessary to use a leather cleaning kit and these are available from most furniture retailers, manufacturers and specialist cleaners. There are also professional upholstery cleaners and repairers who may be able to help with major staining or damage. Marks such as pen should be cleaned as soon as it appears, or as soon as it is noticed. Such marks can usually be removed with a damp cloth and some gentle massaging of the leather. Leather is a natural product and therefore should be kept away from sources of direct heat as it can cause the leather to dry out and crack. It is recommended that a leather moisturising treatment is used on leather sofas and other furniture perhaps twice a year and more often if the sofa is kept in a very warm room.

The best way to look after a leather sofa is to treat it with care, leather is hardwearing and most leather sofas come with stain guards and fabric treatments but constant heavy usage may take its toll unless some remedial care is carried out. General household cleaners should not be used to clean leather sofas, gentle soap and war water is the preferred method. Perhaps using a throw on the sofa will provide some protection and keeping animals off the sofa will prevent scratches and scoring. However a leather sofa should be enjoyed and used not kept as an occasional piece, but some gentle care will ensure the longevity of the sofa and also maintain the sofa’s appearance.