Fine Italian leather furniture is an investment, and to protect that investment it takes a lot of care and maintenance. Here are a few important tips to keep in mind to make sure your leather upholstery ages gracefully.

1. Avoid soap. Mild soaps and detergents may seem harmless, but they can ruin high end furniture. Although it may be gentle on your skin, soap can be especially harsh on leather, removing color and drying out the material. Our skin is able to replenish the oils soap washes off, but leather furniture can?t do that. When washed with soap, leather becomes dry and brittle.
2. Don?t use oil. So, if soap removes the oil from leather, can?t you just apply more oil? The answer is no. Solutions like oil soaps will stain and darken the leather, leaving unsightly spots and blotches.
3. Keep away from direct sunlight. Luxury Italian leather sofas don?t last long in the bright light and heat of the sun. In fact, any extreme temperature ? hot or cold ? will damage the leather, causing it to dry and crack. With that in mind, don?t place your leather furniture too close to an air conditioner or heater.
4. Clean spills immediately. The average sofa experiences about 1,663 spills during its lifetime. Use a clean terry cloth or paper towel to blot spills as soon as they occur. If grease or oil come in contact with the leather, absorb the substance with baking powder or talcum powder. You can also purchase furniture cleaner made specifically for leather.
5. Be proactive. As soon as you buy your new leather furniture, prevent damage by applying professional leather protector. To protect older furniture, have it cleaned by a professional and ask them to apply the leather protector as well. Experts recommend using a good leather conditioner every six to 12 months to keep the material hydrated and healthy.

Furniture is typically the third most expensive thing a person ever buys, just after a house and a car. That is why it is so important to take good care it. They say that a sofa has an average lifespan of up to 15 years, but with proper maintenance, it is possible to hold onto your favorite couch for a little longer.