Keep Your Leather Furniture In Tip-Top Shape With WD-40
Furnishing your home with leather pieces creates a timeless look that won't go out of style. They last much longer than other materials and even look better as they age. However, there is a catch — you must stay on top of the upkeep. Leather is made from animal skin that drys out just like ours. To keep it looking good for as long as possible, you need to condition it. If you already have WD-40 at home, you can use it to add moisture back to your leather furnishings thanks to the mixture of lubricants the product is made with.
Conditioned leather furniture last up to 25 years, but it's important to condition it at least once a year. This number changes depending on the climate you live in. If the air is dry, you may need to do this process at least twice a year. When leather isn't conditioned, it begins to dry out like our skin would without lotion. It'll start to split apart, crack, peel, and change color. Using a conditioner is necessary to replace the oils leather needs, and if you're in a pinch, WD-40 is the perfect solution.
Prep your furniture for conditioning
While the conditioning process is relatively straightforward, you should prep your leather furniture before using WD-40 for the best results. Cleaning each piece gives the product a clear canvas so it can work better and get into all the crevices without dirt getting in the way. Start by vacuuming the leather to remove the debris; use the brush attachment to make this step easier and prevent scratches. Then pour a mild leather cleaning solution onto a cloth and wipe it down before drying the surface with a fresh microfiber cloth.
Before you condition a piece of furniture with WD-40, always do a spot test. This is recommended for any product you use in order to be on the safe side. There's always the potential of accidentally damaging your furniture. Also, WD-40 can make leather look darker after application, so don't use it on a light material. The best place to do a spot test is on the bottom corner of your furniture. You want it to be somewhere inconspicuous so guests won't see damage if it does occur. Once the WD-40 is absorbed and dry, check for any discoloration. If it looks fine, continue using it on the whole piece.
Using WD-40 to soften and protect leather furniture
WD-40 not only adds moisture to your leather furniture but also softens them and leaves a protective layer on top. That way, your armchair or couch is less likely to absorb oils and dirt as you use it, and it won't stain as easily. Don't be afraid to try this method; some users even notice that this home staple works better than the commercial products formulated specifically for leather. It's effortless and only takes a few minutes to use.
After cleaning your leather furniture, you'll need to gather the right supplies. Luckily, you don't need any of the special types of WD-40. Instead, simply use the WD-40 Multi-Use Product. You will also need a white microfiber cloth because colorful options can transfer their hues onto leather materials. To condition your couch, all you have to do is spray the WD-40 in a thin layer. Then massage it in with the cloth. However, be careful not to use too much product because it can clog the leather's pores and make it sticky.