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How to look after high quality leather sofas

Leather sofas have become more and more popular in recent years, due, in no small part, to the quality of leather available nowadays. Long gone are the days when a leather sofa was hard and inflexible. Today’s technology can process leather of exceptional quality, ensuring that it is soft, warm to the touch and supple. There is a huge range of shades and colours available, making it possible to match any colour scheme. Black and dark brown are popular, as are natural colours; these will fit in anywhere, but there are also bold bright colours available, and many people will choose a leather sofa because they like the particular colour, then find that it becomes the focal point to their living room, around which they base the décor.

Of course, there are several qualities of leather available; it is still possible to purchase a leather sofa at minimal cost, but the quality of the sofa will have been compromised because cheaper leather will have been used in its manufacture. Most people will want a new sofa, however much they have paid for it, to last for as long as possible and, in the case of leather, it makes economical sense, in the long run, to choose the best that the budget allows.

There are many types and qualities of leather available to the furniture manufacturer these days, the very best being full-grain or aniline, in which only the top surface of the hide is used. This results in a piece of leather that is totally unique. It is coated with a protective covering, making it easy to maintain and keep clean. Customers may find that, even with an expensive sofa, full-grain leather may be used for the main visible parts, while lower-grade leather will have been used for the back and sides. This helps to keep the costs down while ensuring that the sofa always looks good.

If the budget is lower and the sofa is to be subject to the wear and tear of a lively family, it is possible to find one made from a less-expensive material, such as corrected-grain leather. This is processed by buffing, which partially removes the top layer and takes away any imperfections. Coated in the same way as full-grain leather, it becomes as almost as durable. Maintained following the same rules as for its more expensive counterpart, it will last for many years.

A top quality leather sofa, carefully maintained, will actually improve over time, if just a few basic steps are followed:

• Keep the sofa out of direct sunlight and away from fires and radiators.

• Periodically swap the seat cushions around to ensure even wear.

• Dust regularly to remove surface dust particles, but take care not to use wax or standard furniture polish - use a proprietary leather upholstery polish only.

• Wipe spills as soon as they occur, using a damp cloth.

• Twice a year or so, treat the furniture with a proprietary leather furniture cleaner and, if desired, a specialist treatment product, taking care to test first on an inconspicuous area. The furniture retailer from which the sofa was purchased should be able to supply the correct cleaning products.

Following a careful regime over the lifetime of a leather sofa will reap rewards as it becomes better-looking and more comfortable with age, saving money in the long run because it will not need to be replaced for many years.