How to Care For Your Leather Upholstery



 There is a lot of confusion over some very basic information that is needed to CLEAN AND RESTORE LEATHER. The question: What type of leather is this? Leather is classified into these three basic categories using our cleaning codes and deck labels: ANILINE, NUBUCK, and PROTECTED. We will give you definitions of these Leather types. To properly use the products and achieve the desired results, it is important to identify the Leathers. Leather Types



P - Protected - Also known as Finished, Semi Aniline, Everyday, Pigmented, and Painted. These Leathers have combined the best aspects of a natural product (Leather) and have utilized tannery technology to create a product that is more uniform in appearance and color. This will most likely be the most durable leather type.

A - Aniline - Also known as Natural, Pure, Naked, or Unprotected. These are Leathers that are colored with transparent dye. This means you are able to see the actual surface grain markings. These Leathers have very little or no protective treatments applied to them.

N - Nubuck - Also known as Chaps, Distressed, Bomber, and Suede. These are actually Aniline Leathers that the surface has been brushed, and have created a texture similar to velvet on Leather upholstery or fabric. Suede is the "flesh" side of a piece of Leather and Nubuck is an effect that is done to the grain side. Because Nubucks and Aniline Leathers are alike, it's sometimes hard to tell them apart. Leather tanneries and manufacturers world-wide recommend proper cleaning and protection treatments every six months to extend the life of the leather and prevent premature cracking, peeling, and color loss.

How Can You Tell What Type of Leather You Have? The easiest way for you to tell is to lightly scratch the leather in an unnoticeable area. If it doesn't leave a scratch mark, it is most likely protected leather. If it leaves a mark, it is most likely aniline or nubuck (both of which are unprotected).



Leather Furniture, the Myth and the Reality

Leather is not bulletproof. In fact, it scratches easily and can be stained nearly as easily as other fibers. Leather Should be professionally maintained. Leather is the Mercedes of furniture and it needs a skilled technician to properly care for it. Case in point, if leather cleaning was easy there would be 500 leather cleaners in every city. Protected leathers include Semi-aniline and Protected. These leathers have had a topcoat applied to give the surface more durability and cleanabilty. These are also the least expensive leathers to purchase and the least difficult for a professional to maintain. They are susceptible to finish problems related to pigment cracking do to improper maintenance, dogs and cats scratching and clawing, as well as pigments rubbing of due to inadequate adhesion.

Unprotected leathers include nubuck, suede and aniline. These leathers can become a nightmare. The unprotected leathers will readily absorb moisture and become stained. Oils and perspiration will also soak into these leathers many times causing dye displacement. Numerous types of stains discolorations of the leather fibers and can not, even with effort of the most skilled leather cleaner, be removed. These are the softest, most comfortable and most expensive leather. They are also high maintenance. Leather should be professionally maintained semiannually. This includes cleaning, rejuvenating the moisture and fat liquors that have evaporated and applying the proper protection. Spot cleaning should be preformed by the consumer with the proper cleaning agent. Many sales people and deck tags indicate that you may dust the leather with a mild soap and water. What is mild? Most likely few of the cleaning agents at the consumer level are truly safe. We have seen water rings, dye loss, rotting leather and cracking all from wrong cleaning agents.

DO NOT USE THESE ON LEATHER: Saddle soaps, mink oil, dishwashing soap, and other products are not made for leather furniture and can damage some leathers. It is seriously recommended that the consumer purchase cleaning agents from a professional who specializes in leather furniture care. We will soon have leather spotting kits for sale.

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To purchase do-it-yourself leather cleaning products, visit our shop at 1116 Olive Rd.

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