How to Keep a Leather Sofa From Cracking

Keep leather looking supple with regular care.

Older leather upholstery may need help to maintain its durability and beauty. Treat leather like what it is: a skin that can dry and crack without the right care.

1. Restore the luster and clean newer leather furniture by using a little castile soap rubbed onto a damp cloth. Rub the damp cloth quickly over the leather. Buff with another damp cloth before rubbing dry with a clean cloth.

2. Add conditioner to a clean microfiber cloth. Carefully wipe down the entire sofa with the towel and conditioner. Scrub any marks on your sofa with the same conditioner or leather cleaner.

3. Wait five minutes and wipe the sofa with a dry microfiber towel to wipe up the excess conditioner on the sofa. Repeat this process at least two or three times a year.

Tip

If your leather sofa does crack, apply a plasticized adhesive to a piece of fabric. Work the fabric, adhesive side up, under the crack. Press the edges of the crack together on the adhesive. Apply pressure to the repaired area for at least three hours. Do not use repair tape or adhesives which can become rigid.