Leather furniture gives
your room a rich and elegant appearance.
It represents a large percentage of furniture sold today and
consumers have realized there are many benefits to owning
leather furniture.
Because leather adjusts to body temperature it is very
comfortable to sit on. It warms to your body in the winter and
it feels pleasantly cool in the summer. It is more durable than
fabric and as a result it lasts longer. Leather furniture is
even great for families with children because the material will
stand the test of spills, children's climbing, and all of
their rough house kind of activities. Leather furniture is so
durable that many people forget to properly care for it, which
can cause serious problems with the leather itself. Leather
needs to be kept out of direct sunlight and away from heating
vents. Direct sunlight and the heat will break down the natural
oils in the leather, making it more likely to crack. Leather
also needs to be cleaned and conditioned on a regular basis in
order to maintain a high level of appearance as well as
remaining soft to the touch.
There are different types of leather and they each have
different care and cleaning instructions. The suede or nubick
leathers have no pigment and need a special cleaner that does
not use any water. This type of furniture generally gets marked
or soiled easily and you need to clean marks immediately to
prevent damage setting in.
Aniline leather is a leather that has been dyed to colour, but
has not received any coating or surface finish. Due to the
dyeing process that is used, aniline leather is less stain
resistant, but stays softer and more pliable than leather with
other finishes. Water will darken the leather and in some cases
damage the leather permanently. Special care and cleaning
products are required to maintain this type of leather.
For any of the protected leathers the easiest way to clean them
is to use a water based foam cleaning product with a neutral ph.
Saddle soap is too harsh to use on leather furniture and many of
the wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish
or leave residues on the leather which will damage it. Do not
use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones as they will
eventually destroy the finish of the leather. Dirt particles get
in the pores of leather which can cause the leather to dry and
crack. Any spills on leather need to be cleaned immediately to
avoid being absorbed into the leather and possibly causing a
stain.
Areas on your furniture that might need extra care and attention
are where the head rubs on a chair or the hands rest. Oils from
our skin can penetrate the leather causing it to discolor or dry
out. This can cause permanent damage to your furniture.
After you have cleaned your leather couch or chair it is
necessary to apply a conditioner. This puts the natural oils
back into the leather and works like a Scotchgard which will
inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning
easier the next time. Applying a conditioner every three to four
months provides additional protection from everyday living and
can also protect the furniture from possible damage caused by
any direct sunlight.
Whether you are following a regular cleaning regime yourself or
having it done by professionals you will see the benefits in the
appearance of your leather furniture. Most people take pride in
the appearance of their home and you will be able to keep your
furniture longer as well as maintain the beauty of your home.
Not replacing your furniture sooner than necessary can save you
thousands of dollars in needless expense.
By Jim Thornton With over 30 years experience in cleaning carpets and furniture
I have found I get the best the best results using a foam
extraction method of cleaning leather furniture. Adding a
conditioner afterwards protects the leather. For more
information go to www.bubblesandsuds.ca.
