Introduction.
Many people forget that Leather is a natural product and neglect it, as such it can deteriorate in terms of looks and texture. This guide has been put together to help you look after your leather products from the smallest footstool to the largest sofas the rules are the same. Over time, undetectable skin oils and acids that naturally come into contact with leather can cause cracking, peeling, or discoloration this can be anything from suncream or moisturiser to the wrong type of cleaning products.

What Is Leather?
Firstly we will explain a little about how leather is produced as this may give you an better understanding about the product itself.

The easiest way to understand the process of leather preparation is to understand the layer separation in which the leather is split across it’s thickness into a top layer (the hair side) and the under layer (the cow side).  The top layer is called top grain, since that is the side exposed to the elements.  The under or inside is much stiffer and less durable than the top layer and sometimes is used to cover the non-wear surfaces such as the sides and back since they don’t flex well.  This is a practical use for the “coated split leather” as it is called.

The top layer or top grain leather is “graded” into two main types.  The highest quality is “Full Grain Leather” which does not require buffing or sanding to the surface.  It can be used without correction to the grain.  The next “grade” is “Corrected grain Leather”.  By its name you can tell that some correction was necessary, such as, buffing or sanding the grain to make it more acceptable to the consumer.  Just by way of the explanation you can see that the Full Grain Leather is the more expensive and most attractive.  Although Full Grain Leather is more desirable, the attributes that make leather a durable and long a lasting piece of furniture still hold true even for the less expensive grades of leather.

Placement of leather Furniture.
The placement of your leather furniture is very important to ensure years of service.  Do not place leather furniture too close to a radiator, fireplace or a direct heat source, even a heater vent.  Maintain at least 2 feet between any heat source and the piece.

Avoid placing your leather furniture in direct sunlight.  This will also dry out your leather and cause it to fade.  Although leather is the most durable covering available anything exposed to direct sunlight will fade over time.

Whenever possible position your leather furniture away from high traffic areas that may be susceptible to family members or visitors who will inadvertently rub against it.  This may seem trivial but leather that is continuously rubbed and scuffed will show marks that may not be able to be removed by conditioners.  The best policy is to place leather furniture at the far end of the footpath. This way you can display its beauty more openly and at the same preserve its look.

Regular Care of Leather Furniture
Weekly - Dusting your leather weekly is very important to keep leather pores free from dust particles.  Simply wipe it with a soft cloth.  Don’t under estimate this seemingly small task; it goes a long way in the long term care of your leather.  We will discuss more thorough cleaning next but remember not to neglect the weekly maintenance.

Spot Cleaning -  As always the quicker you get to a spot or stain the greater success you will have.  Most spills of food and beverages should be wiped up using a damp cloth with a light detergent soap, such as liquid hand soap. 

All other stains such as ink marks, grease, blood, wax or chewing gum should be removed using a professional leather cleaner.  Just follow the instructions that come with the product.  It is a good idea to have a good leather cleaner on hand so that you will be able to address the problem immediately after it happens.

Quarterly - When you first place your new leather furniture be sure to use a high quality leather conditioner/preservative to protect it and keep the leather supple.  You should fully clean your leather furniture four times per year using quality leather cleaner.  Pay special attention to wear surfaces, arms, backs and seats.  After a thorough cleaning always re-apply the conditioner/protectant to ensure many years of trouble free service from your leather furniture.

Suggested Methods of Cleaning.
Always try any cleaning method in a hidden area first to convince yourself of the results.

For minor spots and spills, wipe up any excess liquid immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. If necessary, use a lightly moistened soft cloth with clean lukewarm water, and let it air dry naturally. If water is used, clean the entire area where the spot occurred.

Do not use soap or soak the stain heavily with water. This may cause more damage than the stain itself.

Do not use cleaning solvents, furniture polish, oils, varnish, abrasive cleaners, detergent soaps, or ammonia water.

For butter, oil, or grease stains, wipe off excess with a clean dry cloth, and then leave alone as the spot should dissipate into the leather after a short period of time.

If the stain persists, it is recommended that a professional leather specialist clean the leather to avoid any potential damage to the leather itself.

For minor or slight scratches on the surface, use a chamois or clean fingers to gently buff the scratch. If needed, moisten lightly with distilled water to work scratches out.

Remember that leather is a natural product and requires some care to maintain the natural beauty of the hide.

 

Conclusion.
We hope you have found this guide useful and that it will allow you to keep your leather furniture in the condition it deserves for many years to come.