Good day, associates! Gretch right here. It’s been some time since I’ve taken you inside my house, and admittedly, you received’t see a lot of it on this submit. However we’ve bought a brand new pal within the combine, and similar to me, she might in all probability profit from slightly beauty work! This little leather-based magnificence here’s what you may name a “hand-me-down”, however to me, she’s an absolute treasure!
For so long as I can bear in mind, I’ve all the time needed a leather-based couch. Perhaps it’s as a result of I grew up in a home with one (similar in shade, too) and I’m a sucker for nostalgia. A modern, leather-based seat can be very “cool woman” in my eyes–a settee you may discover in an actual metropolis woman’s loft house. And there’s simply one thing so good about its buttery texture and wipe-ability. In loads of methods, leather-based actually will get higher with age…with correct care, in fact!
A quick origin story–should you don’t acknowledge the couch, it’s possible you’ll acknowledge this room! That is our photographer, Kaitlin Inexperienced’s lounge. And this cutie couch that’s now mine was as soon as hers. For 10 years! She and her husband purchased it model new from West Elm for his or her first place (and sure, it’s nonetheless accessible). It was one of many first larger purchases they made collectively. A particular one. Over time, this couch noticed a number of love: associates coming over to look at the sport, a shared bottle of wine, or cuddles with their pup, Remy. Finally, much more snuggles (and perhaps a number of stains too) got here together with the addition of their two daughters.
They actually treasured it–one thing I believe we must always all attempt for in relation to selecting out the items for our properties! And for being 10 years previous, she actually ain’t wanting too unhealthy. However there comes a time to ask in some newness and once we re-did Kaitlin’s lounge, she was beneficiant sufficient to move this couch on to me.
However should you too have inherited or discovered a bit of leather-based furnishings that would use a lifeline, you’ve come to the suitable place! I’ve watched sufficient YouTube tutorials to foretell that with a number of reasonably priced merchandise, I might greater than probably carry this child again to life. Or at the least give her slightly enhance. I haven’t accomplished this earlier than so I wasn’t positive which leather-based cleaner/conditioner answer could be the perfect to make use of, and there are fairly a number of available on the market. So in the present day I’m placing two of them to the take a look at.
Right here’s our place to begin. The leather-based appears and feels fairly dry, however fortunately, there aren’t any rips or tears. Just a few minor stains right here and there, however actually, I’ve been dwelling with it on this state for some time now and it may very well be method worse. Whereas the middle seat cushion positively appears the roughest, I left it untouched till the tip of my rigorous testing to see which of the 2 merchandise labored higher to complete the job. Additionally massive shout-out to Marlee for serving to me do that and taking all of the pictures!
We examined out two merchandise. On the suitable high and backside cushions, we used Leather-based Honey’s cleaner and conditioner. And on the left, we went with Lexol’s cleaner and conditioner combo. Each of those got here extremely rated, however I’ll go forward and spoil it for you–there was a transparent winner in my eyes.
It was a brilliant simple course of if you wish to see it in motion (the video will play after a few fast advertisements)
Step One: Cleansing
We went in with the cleansing options first (clearly) and a few microfiber cloths, just like the directions stated. Proper off the bat, I’ll say, you’re in all probability higher off utilizing a white microfiber material should you’re gonna do that. I think about you’d see every kind of satisfying grime coming off onto your rag, however I solely had these grey ones, and with each of the merchandise, I couldn’t actually inform what it was doing when it comes to cleansing.
Lexol’s cleaner stated to pour a small quantity onto the rag and rub it in. It utilized easily and fairly evenly. As a result of my leather-based was fairly mushy, much less taut, it was a bit tough to tug the rag throughout in a giant sweeping movement with out it bunching. However I used to be in a position to absolutely coat the seat. It stated to wipe away the surplus with a moist material, however the sofa absorbed the product fairly shortly, so there was no actual want for that.
Leather-based Honey’s cleaner labored about the identical, but it surely had a sprig bottle as a substitute. It took slightly longer to saturate the material sufficient to make use of. Once more, I attempted massive sweeping motions and coated the cushion as finest I might, but it surely was arduous to inform if it was truly doing something. With each of those merchandise, I seen them extra as a “prep step” reasonably than important to creating the couch come alive once more. Each side seemed perhaps slightly extra moisturized and even after cleansing, but it surely was an underwhelming step.
Step Two: Conditioning
However step two with the Lexol conditioner was a breeze! The product comes out sort of white, however goes on clear and is reallllllly simple to maneuver round and buff into the leather-based. Once more, I saved pouring little dollops onto the rag, rubbing it into the leather-based in round motions till the entire cushion was coated. This product was tremendous simple to make use of and was clearly including some moisture again to the leather-based, getting me excited for the tip outcomes.
That is the way it seemed instantly after. It positively evened out among the leather-based’s discoloration (arduous to say if that was from the cleaner, the conditioner, or each). However I used to be most impressed by how mushy and easy the leather-based was feeling after conditioning. Like butter! I didn’t discover any funky scent, and I can’t stress this sufficient, the product was REALLY simple to maneuver round on the fabric.
However Leather-based Honey’s conditioner? Not a lot. The directions had been just about similar to Lexol’s: a small dab of product onto the rag, rub in till evenly coated. This one did point out that the product would work higher if it was warmed up, and after stepping into with it straight out of the bottle and STRUGGLING, I did strive zapping it within the microwave. It helped slightly bit? Perhaps? However this product actually did really feel and transfer like honey–sticky. It was thick and arduous to wipe across the leather-based. I felt like I couldn’t get it to unfold evenly as a result of the product was clinging and soaking into the leather-based too quick. And the one solution to fight that was to maintain including product.
Doing this facet was genuinely slightly scary as a result of it was popping out SO darkish. Like so darkish. I for positive placed on method an excessive amount of, but additionally felt like I didn’t have a selection if I used to be to coat the cushion evenly, prefer it stated. It felt splotchy and I used to be so fearful it was going to completely change the colour of the leather-based…
As a result of simply take a look at how darkish it was!!! This was after coating every of the facet cushions with only one layer of the conditioners. I used to be joking with Marlee that at this stage, it was actually feeling just like the Neapolitan ice cream of couches. The left facet in comparison with the tremendous dry center seat and the peerlessly buttered proper seat? Insane.
The directions ought to’ve stated “stay calm and let it dry down” as a result of right here’s the way it seemed the subsequent day. Approach higher! Phew! Now these are iPhone pictures, so the coloring will look a bit totally different, but it surely was for positive lighter and extra even-toned in individual as soon as it had the total 24 hours to dry.
BUT I’ll say, I believe the Leather-based Honey did truly darken the leather-based a shade or two. Don’t love that!! It’s not so unhealthy to me that it’s tremendous noticeable, however the Lexol proper cushion was positively the profitable answer. A lot in order that I made a decision to go forward and clear/situation the super-dry heart cushion with the Lexol combo to complete the job. That’s the distinction you see above. However let’s pull again a bit and see the total earlier than and after:
Right here’s the place we began…
And right here’s how she appears now! I don’t learn about you, however I DEFINITELY discover a distinction between these pictures (and in individual, for positive). Earlier than, the couch was simply so crusty, seemed fairly wrinkled, and felt tremendous dry. Now that the couch cushions are absolutely conditioned (this was shot per week later), I can say I each really feel and see a distinction. Did it give me a model new couch? Probably not. However I’m completely happy I did it and it was actually really easy, I believe it’s one thing I’ll attempt to do each six months or so.
I believe the Leather-based Honey would’ve labored higher on a tighter leather-based upholstery, but it surely was the large loser right here. I’m nevertheless a BIG FAN of the Lexol combo, the way it moved and the way it reworked. I nonetheless have a ton left over for future purposes, plus it’s the cheaper choice! If you happen to’ve bought a bit of leather-based furnishings, a automotive seat, or perhaps a leather-based purse that wants slightly elevate, I actually suggest giving Lexol a strive! Let me know should you do and should you’ve bought questions, I’ll do my finest to reply them within the feedback 🙂
