Using This Popular Cleaner To Freshen Up Leather Furniture Is A Recipe For Disaster

Leather can add a lot of texture and visual interest to an interior space, but it is a delicate furniture material that requires careful attention to maintain. It can be easily damaged by liquid or oil spills, scratches, or direct sunlight, so proactivity is essential when dealing with leather. The cleaning products used on this material also make a major difference. Using multipurpose cleaners for other surfaces may be common, but often, their chemicals are too harsh for leather. Windex is one to avoid because it can quickly spoil the color and finish.

Leather requires specific care to maintain its texture, appearance, and durability. Authentic leather is especially pricey for the natural, high-quality material you're getting, so you need to care for it so it lasts. Instead of using Windex or other glass, window, or surface cleaners on your leather furniture, find specific products meant for your leather type.

Windex can instantly damage or weaken your leather furniture over time, affecting appearance and feel. The main ways are through discoloration, staining, and dryness. Leather will dry out when the chemical contents in Windex strip away the protective coat on its surface and cause it to become hard, stiff, or cracked. Another way that Windex affects the feel of leather is by leaving a sticky residue that might be tough to get rid of. When your leather furniture looks worn out, loses its softness or color, or now has a stain that won't come off, you'll have to invest in reviving it or purchasing a new piece, so invest instead in cleaning products specifically created for leather furniture.

Rejuvenate is a general cleaner that can take care of old grime and dirt without leaving any residue. It is Amazon's pick for leather products and costs $10. The different types of leather have different care needs, so keep this in mind. For example, the $15 TriNova cleaner on Amazon works on real leather, faux leather, and materials that are similar to leather. Though not a cleaning product, fractionated coconut oil can help "moisturize" your leather. Buff the surface with a few drops on a soft microfiber cloth to keep it hydrated and shiny.

Windex is a cleaner that is designed to clean and remove stains from glass and other surfaces effectively. It is excellent at handling various types of dirt like fingerprints, grease, and other common residues to leave surfaces streak-free and shiny. Mirrors, windows, countertops, appliances, doorknobs, and some floor types are some examples of what Windex should be used on.

Windex contains chemicals like ammonia and alcohol, which assist in cleaning and polishing but are too harsh for specific surfaces and materials. The surface types mentioned above are impenetrable, so cleaning substances only affect the top layer. In contrast, leather is animal skin at its core and, therefore, much more delicate to whatever's put on it because it can seep through. When the harsh chemicals in Windex sit on leather, they can break it down, so Windex should only be used for strong surfaces that need to be wiped and polished. Materials like leather need a lot more TLC.