SourceLeather sofas generally cost more than cloth sofas. But, there is a good reason for this, and it’s not just because they usually look better. The simple truth is that leather sofas last longer. On average, a leather sofa should last 15-20 years while a cloth sofa will give you just five years.
Naturally, there are factors that affect the longevity of your sofa, such as the quality of the leather, usage, and whether you perform regular maintenance or not.
One of the biggest issues with leather sofas is that the colour fades. This happens thanks to exposure to sunlight as well as everyday wear and tear. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean the end of your favourite sofa. There are several things you can do.
Call The Professionals
Even if you clean your leather sofa every week, you’ll find it will benefit from a professional leather upholstery cleaning. A specialist company will know what techniques to use and which products will work best with your type of leather and the level of fade.
You may be surprised at how effective a professional clean is at restoring colour. Of course, it’s best to have your leather sofa cleaned professionally at least once a year. This will help to keep it in the best condition possible.
Reupholster
This is the most extreme option but is a valid option if you are particularly attached to the sofa or it is high-value. You will need to get several quotes and make sure you’re using a company that knows what it’s doing. This will help you to decide if it is worthwhile or not.
Reupholstering the sofa will make it look like new and dramatically extend its life.
Leather Restoration Products
If you prefer to tackle the issue yourself you’ll find an array of colour restore products in your local store. It’s important that you choose the one that matches your type of leather. Certain types of leather sofas have no lacquer finish which means they will fade quicker and can be more difficult to look after. This type of leather finish will need to be maintained regularly to maximize its lifespan.
Any leather sofa with a lacquer finish should respond well to colour restoration products.
You’ll need to follow the instructions. But, in essence, you are simply wiping the leather with the product and giving it adequate time to be absorbed before buffing it to a nice finish. One coat should suffice although it will need to be repeated periodically as the sun will fade your leather again. There is no protection from the sun unless you keep your room in darkness.
Take It Slow
If you decide to do the restoration of colour by yourself then there are two things to be prepared for. The first is that it can distort the colour. That’s why you should always check the product in an inconspicuous area first.
The second is that you need to take it slow and be methodical. That will ensure you get the best possible finish.
