Your sofa is built to last. With a bit of care, it'll get better with age — leather mellowing, fabric softening, the frame settling into your home. Here's how to keep it in good shape.

Every week or so

Plump and rotate the cushions. Seat and back cushions benefit from a quick plump after use, and from being rotated and turned regularly. This evens out the wear and keeps them looking full. Detachable cushions can be swapped end-to-end; fixed cushions just need a firm pat and a shake.

Vacuum gently. Use a soft brush attachment on a low suction setting. Vacuum the seat, back, arms, and underneath the cushions. Don't forget the crevices — that's where dust and crumbs collect.

Every few months

Move it. If your sofa lives in one spot, the same areas catch the same light and wear. Even a small shift — a few inches in either direction — helps even out fading and pressure points.

Check the frame. Have a quick look underneath. Old Boot frames are built to last, but it's worth checking nothing has worked loose with use. If anything feels off, get in touch.

Spills and stains

Act fast, but gently. Most spills are recoverable if you get to them quickly.

For leather: blot — don't rub — with a clean, dry cloth. Avoid water, household cleaners, and baby wipes. For anything stubborn, use a leather-specific cleaner from a reputable brand, and test on a hidden area first.

For fabric: blot the spill with a clean, dry cloth or kitchen roll. If water is needed, use a small amount on a clean cloth and dab — don't soak. Avoid washing-up liquid, bleach, or anything containing solvents.

For anything serious — red wine, ink, oil — get in touch before reaching for a cleaning product. We'd rather advise you than have you set in a stain trying to remove it.

What not to do

A few things will damage your sofa and may invalidate your guarantee:

Don't place it in direct sunlight. Leather will fade and dry out. Fabrics will lose colour. Some natural mellowing of leather is inevitable — and rather lovely — but prolonged direct sun is harsh.

Don't use harsh cleaning products. That includes household sprays, bleach, white spirit, and most supermarket "upholstery cleaners." If in doubt, ask us.

Don't sit on the arms. Sofa arms are designed to be leant on, not sat on. They take a lot of weight when used as seats and can deform over time.

Watch out for sharp objects. Belt buckles, scissors, pet claws, jewellery — these are the most common cause of damage we see. A throw or blanket protects against most everyday risks.

Mind the radiators. Try to keep your sofa at least 30cm away from radiators and other heat sources. Heat dries out leather and weakens fabric fibres.

Leather: a few specifics

Leather is a natural material. It will:

• Show small marks, scars, or grain variation — these are signs of a real hide, not faults
• Mellow and develop a patina with use
• Soften and become more comfortable over time

To keep it in good shape, condition it once or twice a year with a leather conditioner suited to upholstery (not shoe products). This keeps the leather supple and helps it resist drying out. Test on a hidden area first.

Fabric: a few specifics

Fabric covers benefit from:

• Regular vacuuming — once a week if you can
• Rotating cushions — front-to-back and side-to-side
• Professional cleaning every few years for a deeper refresh — we recommend a specialist upholstery cleaner rather than DIY

Loose covers, where fitted, can usually be removed for cleaning. Check the care label for instructions, or get in touch if you're not sure.

Pets and children

Real life happens. We build sofas to be lived on, not preserved.

A few practical thoughts:

• A throw is the easiest protection against pet hair, claws, and the occasional accident
• Keep claws trimmed if your dog or cat is a sofa-dweller
• Wipe paws after wet walks — mud sets quickly into both leather and fabric
• Spills from children are usually fine if you get to them fast

When something goes wrong

If something doesn't seem right — a frame creak, a sagging cushion, a seam coming loose — tell us early. Most issues are easier to fix when they're small.

Email help@oldbootsofas.com with a photo and your order details. We'll take it from there.