By Terri Sapienza
Leather furniture is an indulgence no longer enjoyed


only by the wealthy. In 2012, leather accounted for 26 percent of all furniture upholstery sales in the United States, according to estimates by Furniture/Today, a business weekly.

But owning leather furniture is one thing; knowing how to care for it is another.

“People don’t think it needs as much maintenance as it does,” says Chuck Roddy, owner of the Leather Medic franchise in Rockville, Md. Leather “needs to be nourished regularly because it’s a natural product. It needs to be cleaned, conditioned, loved.”

He says a frequently used piece should be cleaned and conditioned every one to three months; six to 12 months if the furniture isn’t used often.

(Post note: At least one North Carolina furniture company tells buyers to refrain from using products on its leather upholstery because they will destroy the factory-applied leather finish.)

More tips, from Dallas-based furniture maker American Leather:

Avoid placing leather pieces in direct sunlight, which can fade dyes, especially in buttery soft leathers. Avoid placing furniture too near a heat vent or radiator, which can dry, discolor and roughen it.

Clean and condition, using a leather cleaner followed by a conditioner or leather balm to replenish the moisture. In humid climates, a conditioner should be used once or twice a year.

For everyday cleaning, dust with a soft, dry cloth and vacuum along the seams and crevices.

For minor scratches, use a chamois or clean fingers and gently buff. For deeper marks, applying a conditioner may help. However, if the scratch has pierced the surface, professional repairing is in order. And touch-up pens and shoe dyes are a definite no-no: The colors in such polishes will transfer onto clothing.