Leather.
Something about it makes office chairs look so beautiful and executive.
However, any improper cleaning method will deteriorate the leather a lot sooner.
Who wants that.
To avoid that then, you. need. to. know. the. proper. cleaning. methods.
Sadly, there are so many wrong methods out there, to the dismay of any leather office chair owner that uses it.
If that’s the case, you might ask, “Then what’s proper and what’s not?”
We’re here to help.
In this article, we’ll show you:
- Why you need to be cautious when cleaning leather
- How to clean leather office chairs with leather cleaners
- How to clean leather office chairs with home remedies
Plus, we’ll add some tips at the end on how to preserve the leather for longer life.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Why Do You Need to Be Cautious When Cleaning Leather?
Leather is skin.
So, like our own skin, it needs proper care and attention.
Do you use any random product for your skin?
No! You make sure to test it first if it works for you.
A skincare product that works great for someone might not be good for you at all.
The bottom line is this: we all have different skin types.
Well, the same is true with leather.
A leather cleaning product, a home remedy, or even a steam cleaner might work for some and ruin others.
This is why, of all the methods we’ll mention here, don’t just go with it straight away.
Test it first.
To do that, use it on an area of the leather that can’t be seen. Wait a whole day or 2 to see the effect.
If the leather in any way dries and cracks, fades, or changes color, then STAY AWAY FROM THAT METHOD!
Now, with that out of the way, let’s look at the proper methods of cleaning leather office chairs.
How to Clean Leather Office Chairs With Leather Cleaners
Leather cleaners are a godsend.
This is the best method to use when cleaning your leather office chair.
Why?
Because the formulas are specifically made to clean leather. The ingredients are all leather-safe.
Still, you’ll need to test it on your leather office chair.
Not only that, but it’s also very easy to use leather cleaners.
All you need to do is:
- Spray or apply it to the dirty leather.
- Wait a few minutes for it to do its cleaning work.
- Gently wipe it out with a dry and clean microfiber cloth. Remember! Wipe not rub!
It’s as simple as that. (For specific directions, read the product’s instruction label.)
Of course, you’ll want to know if a leather cleaner will work for your office chair before buying it.
Okay, you can never be 100% sure until you try it.
But there are 2 important things to look into that’ll more or less tell you if it’ll work or not.
The first is to check what type of leather it cleans.
Say, for example, you get one for car seats. Since car seat leather is a lot tougher than office chair leather, it needs a stronger formula. If you use that for office chair leather, it’ll easily tear or discolor.
Make sure you buy a leather cleaner stating that it can be used for office chairs or furniture.
Another thing to check is its pH balance.
You want a leather cleaner with a balanced pH.
If the formula is too acidic, the leather dries up quickly and is prone to cracking and tearing.
Always check the label.
Looking for a good recommendation?
Check out TriNova Leather Cleaner. It removes dirt, debris, stains, and grimes without using any harsh chemicals.
It’s not just a cleaner. It’s also a conditioner, prolonging the leather’s life.
How to Clean Leather Office Chairs With Home Remedies
Don’t have leather cleaners?
Then use home remedies!
But be careful!
There are a lot of home remedies you can find online that might work now but cause damage in the long run.
To help you out, we’ll list the 2 safest and recommended home remedies that you can use.
Again, even though it’s safe, you’ll still need to test it.
Vinegar + Linseed Oil
We know what you’re thinking…
“VINEGAR?!?”
Yes.
Vinegar is a great cleaner because its acids dissolve dirt, grease, and grime. As well as kills bacteria and removes bad odor.
You don’t want too much acid, though, as that will discolor or dry up the leather.
This is where the linseed oil comes in.
The oil balances the acidity. It also adds a shiny gloss to your leather.
If you want to try this home remedy, follow these steps:
- Mix one part white vinegar and 2 parts linseed oil.
- Remove all loose dirt and debris from your leather office chair. (if you want to brush it down, only use a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratches and tears.)
- Apply the vinegar + linseed oil mixture and let it sit for a few seconds. (the easiest way to do this is to put your mixture in a spraying bottle.)
- Wipe the mixture off with a clean, dry
Never let the solution stay on the leather.
Mild Soap + Water
If there’s one thing you should know about leather, it’s that water isn’t exactly a friend.
Water changes the color and removes the softness and suppleness of leather.
So why are we even suggesting this home remedy?
This is because leather has some resistance to water. Not much, but enough for this home remedy to be safe.
To make the mixture, use one part MILD body soap (a good recommendation is Dove) and 5 parts warm water.
Once the mixture is ready, follow these steps:
- Dip a clean, microfiber cloth (or any cloth that doesn’t produce lint) onto your mixture.
- Warning, important step! Squeeze the cloth dry until it’s damp, not wet.
- Wipe the damp cloth onto the leather to clean it.
- Then, wipe the suds out with another damp cloth with no soap.
- Finally, dry with a dry microfiber cloth.
Do this process as quickly as you can. You don’t want the water seeping in and stiffening the leather.
What if you want to remove stains?
It’s the same process. But this time, add 2 drops of soap onto the damp cloth to make it sudsier.
A quick tip: To make it easier to remove stains, clean it off immediately or as soon as possible. Don’t wait for it to seep in.
Tips on How to Preserve Your Leather Office Chair
Sure, cleaning your leather office chair preserves it.
But there are other ways to prolong its life even more.
One way is to always condition the leather after cleaning.
Treat it like your hair. We usually use a conditioner after shampooing.
You can find a lot of different leather conditioners formulated to preserve leather, add moisture, keep it from cracking, etc…
Click here for a wide range of options.
The same rule applies to conditioners. Always test it first.
Another tip is to keep it away from the sun.
The sun can suck all the moisture out of leather, leaving it brittle. In turn, brittle leather cracks and deteriorates.
As much as possible, keep your office chair indoors and away from the windows!
Opposite to that, you should also keep it away from humid areas.
Leather needs moisture.
Too much moisture causes mildew to grow inside, though. And, again, this deteriorates the leather.
Leave your office chair in a cool, dry area if you can.
Finally, just like our skin, leather needs to breathe.
Don’t cover up your office chair when you’re not using it.
If its air supply is blocked out, it won’t be able to evaporate moisture naturally, causing mildew and rot.
If you follow these tips, your office chair’s leather can outlive you!
Conclusion
Cleaning your leather office chair is supposed to be a good thing.
However, improper cleaning methods do more harm than good.
So follow these safe and proper methods, as well as our tips.
We tell you, your leather office chair will look spick and span for many years to come.
If you’re interested to know how to clean vinyl chairs, click here.
My name is Vance, and I am the owner of To Ergonomics. Our mission is to improve your workflow by helping you create a supportive and welcoming environment. We hope that you’ll find what you’re looking for while you’re here.