Leather chairs are the height of fashion but they should come with a health warning: leather is very easy to rip, and very difficult to repair. On the whole, leather seating is more expensive than its fabric counterparts. That said, leather chairs tend to be of a higher quality than many other fabric chairs and sofas which can present an obvious problem, particularly for family buyers.
Whilst there is no outright solution to this dilemma, there are a number of easy care tips for leather chairs that can help keep them looking fresh and free from damage for as long as possible to ensure you get your money’s worth.
Repairing RipsThe trouble with leather is that it tends to rip and tear with sharp points. Applying the slightest bit of pressure with a sharp heel or with a buckle can see your hard earned money disappear with the appearance of your sofa or chair. What’s worse, repairing leather isn’t something you can do on your own – it’s going to demand some careful reparation work from a leather repair specialist which can prove costly, particularly when you factor in the call out charge, replacement leather, colour matching, labour, etc.
The best cure is prevention, which means taking good care of your leather upholstery from day one. Avoid contact with footwear and sharp items of clothing. Instead, remove your shoes and belts before lounging, and take care not to sit on anything sharp that could pierce the leather. Whilst this may seem somewhat pedantic, it is important to avoid causing the problems in the first place if you’re looking to save money and preserve your leather chair.
Treat ‘Em Mean, Keep ‘Em CleanChances are your leather sofa or chair will take quite a beating. If it’s used on a day to day basis or you smoke, your chair could become dirty very quickly which will leave it looking lifeless and tired. There’s no better way to age a leather sofa, particularly a cream coloured sofa, than smoking and day to day wear if you’re not careful. To avoid gathering dirt, wipe down your chair on a regular basis with a warm damp cloth to remove any grime that has built up with usage – that way, you can keep your leather looking in top condition for longer.
One of the best ways to keep your sofa free from trouble is to keep it locked away for special occasions. Of course that isn’t practical, and you’ll want to enjoy your sofa or chair after spending so much money on it in the first place. That means it’s a case of weighing up both extremes – protection vs. usage – to achieve the optimum level of enjoyment for as long as possible.
