This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
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Natuzzi leather furniture is very expensive, so you'll want to protect your investment. However, no matter how careful you are, spills and other accidents can happen. The good news is that you can tackle these incidents and avoid set-in stains. There are two types of Natuzzi leather: natural (unprotected) and Protecta (protected). Each one requires different cleaning methods for specific stains. As long as you know what to use and how to use it, you can keep your leather looking new for years to come.
Steps
Cleaning Natural Leather
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1Vacuum or brush away solid debris. Attach the brush accessory to the hose of a vacuum cleaner. Use a medium setting and vacuum up dirt. Alternatively, you could use a brush with soft bristles. Gently sweep up the dirt into a dustpan.
- Regardless of which method you use, avoid rubbing the leather too harshly. This could set in the stain.
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2Remove water-soluble stains with clean cloths and water. Water-soluble substances include coffee, tea, milk, soda, or sugary preserves. Use a clean, dry cloth to blot the spill and absorb the liquid. Work quickly, but be gentle. Then, dampen another cloth with plain water. Start rubbing at the outside of the stain and gradually work your way inward. Use another dry cloth to blot excess water until it's completely absorbed.
- Never dry your furniture with a hair dryer. Dry hot air will damage the leather.
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3Clean oil-based stains with neutral soap. Use a paper towel to wipe away the substance. Avoid rubbing too hard to prevent the mess from getting ground in to the upholstery. Then, soak one of the cloths in diluted soap with a neutral pH (6.5-7.5). Begin gently rubbing the stain at the outer edge and work your way inward. Finally, dry the wet area with the other cloth. Continue blotting until all the moisture is absorbed. Don't use a hair dryer.
- Oil-based substances include oils, mayonnaise, chocolate, and ketchup.
Cleaning Protecta Leather
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1Blot wet or oily stains with a clean cloth. Use a clean white cloth or paper towel to absorb the liquid. Do this as soon as the spill occurs. This rule works for coffee, milk, soda, oil, grease, or makeup.[1]
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2Dampen another cloth with mild soap and water. Wet another cloth or paper towel with water. Add a few drops of clear mild soap to the wet cloth. Wring it out to drain the excess water and to produce a soapy lather.
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3Wipe away the stain. Begin rubbing at the outer edge of the stain. Gradually work your way inward. Avoid getting the leather too wet.
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4Dry the stain. Use a separate dry white cloth. Blot the treated area until it's completely dry. Avoid using a hair dryer.
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5Contact customer service for assistance with solid debris. The Natuzzi user's manual does not explain how to clean a dry dirt stain on Protecta leather. Since Protecta has been treated with stain-resistant substances, you could take a chance brushing away or vacuuming the dirt. However, it's best to contact the retailer that sold you the furniture.
Maintaining Natuzzi Leather
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1Dust weekly. Use a dry, clean white cloth that isn't abrasive. The cloth needs to be white so that you'll avoid depositing dyes onto the upholstery. Gently move in circular strokes until all the dust has been removed.
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2Keep your furniture out of direct sunlight. Because leather is a natural material, its color can fade over time. However, direct sunlight will speed up the fading process. Putting your furniture in a spot that doesn't receive direct sunlight will preserve the leather's original quality for as long as possible.[2]
- Artificial light can fade your leather, as well. Make sure all lamps have shades or similar covers to filter the light.
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3Place your furniture at least 50 centimetres (20 in) from heat sources. This includes heating vents, radiators, and fireplaces. Since space heaters are portable, avoid placing them too close to the furniture. Arid heat can cause the leather to dry and crack.
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4Avoid chemical cleaners or conditioners. Some videos and home décor blogs recommend using leather conditioners in the cleaning process. However, Natuzzi warns against this. Any chemical substance harsher than neutral soap can damage or ruin the quality of the leather.[3]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I remove a 24 hour old red wine stain from a grey leather sofa?Michelle Driscoll, MPHMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Founder, Mulberry MaidsAn old stain can be very hard to remove, and given the sensitive nature of many types of leather furniture, care should be taken. Use a mild soap and warm water solution to clean the sofa. Make sure to completely dry the leather once the stain has been lifted. -
QuestionHow do I remove black marker from leather?Michelle Driscoll, MPHMichelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Founder, Mulberry MaidsDepending on if you have natural or Protecta, follow the directions in this article to remove an oil based marker stain. For Protecta leather, use mild soap and water, and for natural leather, use a neutral pH soap. -
QuestionHow do I remove cigar/cigarette smoke from a sofa?Community AnswerAmmonia or Windex-type cleaners with ammonia. Wash and let dry to re-appraise if another washing is needed, typically not as the Ammonia will cut and lift away the residue quickly and easily. Once undetectable proceed with the leather cleaner and conditioner.
Things You'll Need
- Soft white cloths
- Paper towels
- Neutral soap (for natural leather)
- Vacuum cleaner or soft-bristled brush
- Clear soap (for Protecta leather)