Leather needs to be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. The most common problem is the drying out of it's oils and water. The primary culprit is the sun. Also, heat and AC ducts can cause this as well. Thus it is recommended to try to keep leather furniture away from these elements.
Leather needs to be cleaned to prevent airborn dust and particles from building up on the surface. Once they build up they tend to clog its pores, and as the leather is flexed, they travel down into its fibers. These contaminants need to be removed before conditioners are added. Good leather cleaners are designed to pull out grime from deep within the fibers, as well as removed surface dirt.
When a spill occurs, blot up immediately but do not rub or wipe, this can make the problem worse. For fat based spills, like butter, oil and grease, blot up as much as possible, you can also try corn starch or baking soda to take up more. Then, let the remaining material soak into the leather for at least 24 hours. Don't attempt to clean until that time has expired. You may have to clean several times to get remove all the material. The surface may appear dull and dry after these clean-ups. Follow all of this with conditioning. *
back
* information copyright of Williamsville Products, Sales Training, Leather Care
RGJ Associates, Inc. Sudburry, MA. 1991
