Since leather is a natural material, it has some unique properties that both make it beautiful and subject to natural forces. Leather needs very little care in normal usage because it has been permanently preserved in the tanning process. The many types of tanning give a variety of finishes and protective coatings, not to mention the wide variety of colors and textures.
It is these coatings and finishes that create the long term beauty as well as the long term changes in leather as you use it in your home.
There are three primary issues with preserving the beauty of leather: sunlight, heat, and dust. The sun is a strong agent of change (think about what it does to your skin!)—leather exposed to direct sunlight will slowly change color over time—strong colors fade and dark colors lighten. The amount of pigment dye applied in the tanning process will slow the change, but not stop it.
Place your leather furniture out of direct sunlight if possible; consider shades, drapes, blinds or even window tinting to reduce the impact of sunlight on your furniture.
Be aware of heat sources in your home when placing your leather furniture. The fireplace, radiators, heat vents will all dry out the leather and perhaps even warp the wooden frame of your furniture (since wood has many of the same properties as leather regarding temperature and moisture).
Maintain heat and humidity levels within the normal comfort range. Low humidity and high heat may eventually crack the leather, and high humidity can promote the growth of mold and bacteria.
Some general precautions:
1) Sharp objects can cut leather, including pet’s claws. While small cuts in leather can be repaired more easily than tears in fabric—one would rather not have to!
2) Avoid newspapers and magazines directly on your leather furniture for extended periods. Printers ink can leach in to the leather and discolor it.
3) Some household products are not leather friendly—ink pens, nail polish, polish remover, bleach cleaners, and anything caustic.
If you get something on your leather furniture, here are some thoughts on how to clean it as well as preserve the color and finish:
1) Dust your leather furniture periodically, soft dry cloth or the soft brush attachment to your vacuum cleaner. You can even use the crevice attachment for hard to reach places such as between the cushions and the arms.
2) Fluff and turn loose cushions periodically. That will even out the wear and fading, as well as minimize any “comfort wrinkles” that develop.
3) Wipe up any spills immediately—leather will shed most liquids—but it will help to blot them promptly and allow to air dry. A damp cloth with plain water will handle most spills.
4) If grease or oil spill—do not use water, just use a clean dry cloth. Most oil and grease will be absorbed by the leather over time.
5) If you do use a cleaning product, use one that is PH balanced and as chemical free as possible. There are a number of products specifically made for cleaning leather furniture that are available commercially.
A couple of final thoughts:
* Don’t worry about small scratches and scuffs—they will often “heal” over time and become less noticeable—they also contribute to the “patina” of your leather and become part of its appeal. Anything objectionable can often be colored with a leather dye touch up kit.
* Apply some leather conditioner once or twice a year. They will help keep the leather supple and soft in addition to providing some spill and stain protection.
Enjoy your custom leather furniture for many years!
About the author of this article:
Our company, EcoSelect Furniture, sells custom leather furniture, made with eco-friendly leather and hemp fabrics. Our green living room furniture of sofas, loveseats and chairs are high quality for the price of ordinary brand name products.
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