Discoloration of a Leather Couch

Sun

• If a leather couch is sitting in front of a window where it is in direct sunlight throughout large portions of the day, it may fade. Having UV filters on your windows, or keeping the windows closed through the portion of the day when the most direct light comes through them, should prolong the life of your couch. If the couch is faded due to sunlight, you may be able to have it treated or refinished to restore the color.

Personal Products

• You should always make sure that your hands are dry before you sit down on your couch. A number of products you might use on your hands could react with the leather on your couch and cause discoloration. For example, hand sanitizer or hand moisturizers contain ingredients that discolor leather. The alcohol in sanitizer bleaches away the dye of the leather. Oily hand creams may leave permanent oil stains on the couch, too.

Oil or Grease

• Leather should be cleaned only with a slightly damp rag or with products specially formulated for treating and cleaning leather. The use of other soaps and cleaners can discolor the leather if they contain oils. Also, greasy food eaten on a leather couch may discolor it if you accidentally wipe your hands on the couch after eating. A grease stain should be wiped up immediately, but if you miss it, cover the area with talcum powder. Leave it for 12 hours before you wipe it up so it can absorb the grease.

Water

• Water discolors leather, but it is usually not a permanent problem. This happens when you set a wet glass against the leather, rub your wet hands on it or lay down on the couch with wet hair. Water stains that appear on the leather can be washed off with more water. Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe the discolored area and also wipe down the rest of the piece of leather that it stained. Just make the material mildly damp. This allows the entire piece to dry at once so that you won't notice discoloration after it is done. Apply a leather protector or conditioner after this process to help preserve the piece.