Leather is one of those supposedly luxurious materials to have your home furniture made out of, of the kind that tends to create lots of conjecture and myths. Many people seem to be under the impression that owning leather furniture entails a ridiculously complex and pricy care regimen, which thereby renders the prospect of buying leather furniture too intimidating to handle. Yet the reality is that caring for one's leather furniture is incredibly easier than most would believe, and therefore just about anybody is in condition to enjoy the plushness of leather—now, and for a long, long time to come.
Leather simply makes a home feel more vibrant, and its striking visual appearance and sultry feel to the touch can turn a cold house into a seducing home. Leather has to be among the most popular materials to make home furniture out of for precisely these reasons and many more yet, and at any furniture store than one goes to there are certainly going to be leather sofa sets and lounge suites abounding.
The basic trick behind quality leather care is: consistency and promptness. That is to say, any time you spill something or create a stain on your leather sofa (or whatever leather furniture piece you own) be sure to act quickly to clean it up; furthermore, be sure to perform periodic (once a month, give or take) once-overs to remove any grime that may be building up on the leather.
For accidental spills on a leather sofa, all you should do is use a soft cloth to dry it up and then apply the leather cleaner that you were recommended to use when you purchased the sofa. Each variety of leather, from rustic looking aniline leather to velvety nubuck and suede leather, has a specific type of cleaner (available in multiple brands at leather shops) agent intended for it. It is a huge mistake to use ordinary cleaning products on a leather sofa, such as detergents, bleach, etc; they will make leather age poorly and create unnecessary stains that may not be able to be removed.
It's important to remember to use soft items and to generally be gentle when cleaning your leather furniture. A soft cloth for wiping and a vacuum extension with a soft brush (no rough plastic bristles) are two fundamental tools for keeping a leather sofa clean, and honestly they ought to be enough to keep your items in prime condition along with the right protectant solution. Certain kinds of leather, such as suede and nubuck, are more sensitive to scratches and marks, and so it's important not to subject them to any such mistreatment.
A final consideration is not to keep a beautiful leather sofa in a place where it is exposed to direct sunlight. The rays will make the leather more brittle and will ruin its color, robbing it of the ability to age with dignity that is the trademark of quality leather furniture. This is, of course, that widely applies to all sorts of different furniture materials, including fabrics of all sorts.
Wood And Leather Furniture
For centuries leather has been used for its functionality as well as its prestige. Back in the dark ages, hides were being used for warmth and protection in the form of crude coats and makeshift shoes. In those times, leather decay would begin after only a short time making for a very inefficient process.
Today we have perfected the tanning process making leather the strongest and longest lasting upholstery material. Most reputable leather furniture companies use leather that has been preserved in the tanning process. Properly tanned leather can last up to four times longer than most any other upholstery fabric. Given its durability and the pure elegance of leather furniture, you can most assuredly be prepared to spend a bit more for it. The good news is leather requires very little care.
Here are some important steps you can take to help protect your leather furniture:
Probably the most important thing to remember is to clean stains immediately! If you do not, the stain can reappear weeks or months later. Just use mild soap and warm water.
Keep your furniture away from heat sources. At least two feet is recommended. Leather can become dried out if exposed for long periods.
Avoid direct sunlight. This will prevent fading.
To dust use a clean cloth with a small amount of leather cleaner.
Never use saddle soap, furniture polish, oil, varnish, abrasive or ammonia based cleansers.
All leather furniture needs reconditioning on a regular basis. This process replaces the natural hide oils that dry out and cause the leather to crack.
Please note the above is for preventative maintenance and you may have a specific problem which may call for more action. Cleaning leather furniture can be tricky and you should always do a spot test to check for color fastness. If it is something major like scrapes, cuts, holes or grease and oil stains it is recommended that you seek professional assistance.
Take the time to get to know your furniture. Look for differences in grade of leather, type of dye and finishing. Your furniture retailer should be able to supply you with this information. If you take care of your leather furniture, it will last at least 20 years.
Both Bill William & Matt Trostle are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Bill William has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Kitchen Home Improvement and Home Management. Beyond Furniture caters for people with a refined taste in contemporary and modern furniture. One of our standouts is our signature
Best Christmas Gift Idea Just be imaginative in putting the cash in a small basket or bucket of candy.Pondering still? Why not the ultimate gift? Like Breakfast at Tiffanys