“Tough as leather” is a popular saying for a reason. It’s one of the toughest and most resilient forms of upholstery out there! It can take a licking and keep on ticking in ways that many other types of upholstery just can’t handle. Unfortunately leather does have one major weakness: The Sun.

Sunlight and heat are kryptonite for leather. At Dr. Chem-Dry Carpet & Tile Cleaning, we know what it takes to keep your leather strong and stable for years to come. Keep these two rules in mind to protect your leather from the summer’s dry heat.

Related: What To Look For In A Professional Carpet Cleaning Service

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Few things will ruin your leather upholstery faster than constant exposure to direct sunlight.  Sunlight will cause your leather to fade over time; It can also damage it by aging and cracking the leather.When you’re arranging your furniture, try and keep your leather furniture pieces away from the sun. Don’t place them directly underneath or right in front of windows.

If you can’t avoid placing your leather pieces in sunlight, you can protect them by getting window treatments. Curtains, drapes, shutters: Anything that can completely block out sunlight will do wonders for your leather. You can also get motorized window treatments equipped with sun sensors: These treatments will automatically adjust themselves as the light changes throughout the day.

If you don’t want to keep your windows blocked off with curtains or shutters, you can also get reflective window film. These are adhered directly onto the glass and help reduce the amount of light pouring in through your windows. You can also throw a blanket or slipcover over your upholstery when you aren’t using it. These sheets will shield the leather from the harsh effects of the sun’s rays.

Keep It From Drying Up

Aside from fading, one of the other hazards that the sun poses for leather is that it can cause it to dry up. Leathers are full of natural oils whose moisture can get evaporated by the heat. When that moisture dries up, it will cause the leather to stiffen and crack.

Keeping your leather out of sunlight isn’t enough to guarantee that this won’t happen to your upholstery. The best way to keep it from drying up is to have your leather cleaned 3 to 4 times a year. Cleaning leather with the proper products will make it so that your leather’s oils stay moist and revitalized. Just be careful with what you use to clean your leather: Leather is a very porous material, and if it soaks up the wrong kind of chemicals it could end up doing more damage to your leather than the sun would.

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