What is Leather?

All leather comes from one source; the hides of animals. Different animal skins are used to produce a variety of looks in leather. The most common is Cow Hide. All leathers are processed in similar manners to achieve the look and feel of a particular purpose. Once the leather is tanned and processed, certain sections are then selected for use on a particular application. It will then go through another series of processing and splitting for each application. This process determines the type of leather that will be made available to you. In almost all situations, similar tanning and dyeing chemicals and processes are used.  In recent years, the chemicals used in the tanning process have dramatically changed.  This is due primarily to environmental concerns as well as cost factors.  Leather quality is not determined by brand identification, rather, it is determined by the actual processes and chemicals used in it's production.  It is impossible to determine the quality of leather by brand name or price alone.  Reputable manufacturers use a high quality leather in the production of furniture and automotive upholstery as well as the manufacture of Jackets and clothing.  However, there are increasingly greater numbers of lower quality leathers being used in today's market. Normally, lower priced items will have lower quality leather.  Do some shopping before you make that final purchase. Leather generally known as "By-Cast" is a very poor quality leather but becoming very popular in furniture upholstery due to cost factors.  Don't expect this type of leather to last!

Types of Leather

Many different types of leather are used in different applications. The most common, Top Grained (Protected or coated) (Manufacturer Code "P") leather is used in almost all applications including automotive and furniture upholstery, jackets and clothing, and more. This type of leather is the easiest to maintain, and also the most durable. It will appear to have a distinct "finished" look and somewhat heavier in feel than an unprotected or unfinished leather. When a droplet of water is placed on the surface of this leather, the droplet will "bead up" and cause no darkening of the spot and is easily wiped away.  Aniline ( Manufacturer Code "A"), is a very soft feeling form of leather with no finish on the surface of the leather, leaving it unsealed and susceptible to dirt and staining. Being much more difficult to maintain, it is found used primarily on furniture and clothing. Suede (AKA NuBuck) (Manufacturer Code "N"), is a form of Aniline leather. The finish is brushed and appears to have a "Knapp" which will change colors when the surface is gently wiped with a hand or other object. When a droplet of water is placed on the surface of this type of leather, it may "bead up " initially, but when gently wiped over the surface the water will be quickly absorbed into the leather creating a "dark" spot.  Semi-Aniline (Manufacturer Code "A"), is also an uncoated type of leather but has a "finished" look.   The surface of the leather will have a similar appearance as Top Coated leather, but will be a bit softer and lighter in feel.  When a droplet of water is placed onto the surface of the leather, it will immediately be absorbed into the leather and cause a "dark" spot.  This is the most difficult leather to care for and to keep looking new, especially when used in a "family" room or other high use area.  It is also the most common type of leather sold in furniture.  Leather is called by many different names, most of which are nothing more than Manufacturers identifications, or "Remnants of Tradition". In most instances, your leather will be identified with a tag referring to the specific type of leather used in your application.

Why Maintain Leather?

Before it became leather, nature took care of feeding, cleaning and repairing the animals skin. The chemicals used in tanning the leather, only preserve the usefulness of the skin for a much longer period of time. Nature is no longer able to do what it once did. The responsibility now becomes that of the "new owner". Regular cleaning and replenishment of natural oils, will keep the leather, and its' finish, in good condition for a very long time. We have made available Leather Care Kits that will provide you with everything you will need to thoroughly maintain your leather.  Oils in the leather will dry out and evaporate even when the leather is not regularly used. To keep the leather soft and flexible, dirt and grime which have accumulated on the surface must be removed using our Leather Cleaner and the oils be replaced using our Leather Conditioner .  Regular maintenance should be performed usually about once every three months. Due to changes recently implemented by the Leather Manufacturing Industry, Tanning processes and the chemicals used in these processes have been dramatically changed. This change has occurred because of environmental concerns as well as cost factors. As a result, maintenance products have to be adapted in order to remain compatible and beneficial with the newer styles of leather. The use of "Old Time" remedies such as Neatsfoot Oil, Mink Oil, Saddle Soap, and other similar products, are no longer beneficial to the leather used in upholstery applications. In fact, these products can cause harm to the leather by accelerating deterioration of the fibers of the leather and the finish products used in their production.

Cleaning, Conditioning and Protecting Leather

Before choosing any maintenance products for leather, it is important that you determine the type of leather that you are working with (see "Types of Leather" above).  Using any product not specifically designed for the particular leather application can cause staining and permanent damage to the leather.  All leather should be regularly cleaned, conditioned and protected about every three months.  If the leather is subjected to "high use", it may be necessary to perform this routine maintenance more often.
All "Top Coated", Finished or "Protected" leather may be cleaned quite easily by using our Leather Cleaner. Most dirt, oils, food/beverage stains and other types of soiling may be cleaned, without damaging the finish of the leather, or causing hardness or stiffening of the leather. Cleaning of the leather should be followed by conditioning, using our Leather Conditioner. This will replenish the natural oils and lubricants that have been diminished by everyday use and cleaning.

"Naked", Aniline, Suede or "NuBuck" type leather must be treated differently. This type of leather will stain very easily and requires that different formulations of product be used to avoid staining or damage of the leather. To clean this type of leather, use our "NuBuck" Leather Cleaner. This product has been designed especially for the finer, more absorbent types of leather and will not cause further staining of the areas while providing the strongest cleaning agent available. NuBuck Leather Conditioner should be applied after cleaning, to replenish the oils that have been lost through everyday use. 

Protection from staining of the finish of the leather may be accomplished in several ways:  Our Protection Cream will provide a protective "shield" over the surface of your leather to prevent staining from water, oils, alcohol, body oils and everyday soiling that occurs. This protection should be applied when your leather is first purchased, followed by re-application with regular, routine maintenance.  Fabric Guard is highly recommended for use on all "unfinished" or "naked" type of leathers.  Fabric Guard will provide a similar protective shield in a convenient spray application.  Protection from fading, due to exposure to direct sunlight may be dramatically reduced using our UV Protectant.  This product reduces the amount of UV light that reaches the surface of the leather.  Long term exposure to UV rays will cause fading of the color as well as premature drying and hardening of the leather.  "Semi-Aniline" leather will require the same cleaning and maintenance products as full Aniline, but the application procedure will vary somewhat.

Cost of Maintaining Leather?

There are two methods of leather/vinyl care, three month and six month.

It is recommended that leather furniture be maintained on a regular bases. The purchase of your leather furniture  is a grand investment, an investment that will last for years to come providing proper care is applied. It is recommended leather furniture being maintained on either a three month or six month schedule, depending upon usage. We are offering two service maintenances programs.

Lesser Maintenance.        Six Months.   
1. Thoroughly clean the surface of the leather using the appropriate cleaner for the particular type of leather.
2. Condition the leather to replace lost oils and lubricants by using the appropriate Leather Conditioner for the particular type of leather. 3. Apply Fabric Guard to the surface of the leather to giving similar protection as Protection Cream.  reduce fading and deterioration caused by direct exposure to sunlight.. Lesser Service Maintenance on a sofa, love seat and chair will take about an hour and a half for a fee of XXX a linear foot.

To apply for either maintenance service program please contact us at: 888.248.9723 or send us an email; simply type Leather Maintenance in the subject line and we'll respond promptly.