How to Care for a Light-Colored Leather Couch

Clean and condition the whole couch every six months. Apply a pH-balanced leather cleaner with a sponge, wipe in a circular motion and use a dry paper towel to remove excess. Repeat the process with leather conditioner.

Treat the headrest and armrests every three months with leather cleaner and conditioner, because these are exposed to more wear and oils from your skin.

Beware of color bleeding. Ink from newspapers can rub off on the leather of your couch, and wet dark denim and soiled throw blankets can bleed more color into the light-colored leather.

Rotate cushions periodically so that the couch wears evenly. Light-colored couches made from leather show wear more rapidly than darker couches.

Avoid eating, drinking and smoking on the couch. Spilled food and drink cause staining and stickiness, while dropped cigarettes cause burns on the leather that need to be professionally restored.

Keep the living room dry. Humid conditions foster the growth of mildew and mold on the couch, which causes unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions.