| “How should I clean my leather furniture?” It’s | | | | And, then there is the question of the type of leather |
| a common question from our clients. | | | | you have. Leather cleaners are not appropriate for all |
| As a leather furniture repair and restoration specialist, I | | | | types and grades of leather. For example, suede, |
| hear over and over again from my clients that they | | | | brushed leathers, fine lamb or calf skin are aesthetically |
| have been using saddle soap on their fine leather | | | | delicate and should be treated very carefully. Leather |
| upholstery. After all, it seems like the right thing to use, | | | | cleaners or conditioners may stain such delicate |
| as certainly saddles are made from leather. | | | | leather. |
| Despite what it seems like, it’s a mistake! You see, | | | | Generally speaking, leather furniture doesn’t need a |
| leather intended for saddles and leather intended for | | | | lot of attention. A simple maintenance procedure is to |
| furniture are processed very differently. | | | | wipe the piece down with a lightly dampened cloth at |
| Saddles are made from heavy-duty leather which is | | | | the same frequency you dust the wood furniture in |
| vegetable tanned to withstand the harsh environment | | | | your home. Then, periodically (every 3 - 4 months) |
| of the outdoors. It’s tough, highly durable leather and | | | | apply a quality leather conditioner to instill moisture into |
| can stand up to the use of chemically harsh leather | | | | the leather. Regularly conditioning your leather will |
| cleaners, like saddle soap. | | | | prolong the life of the piece. If you feel the need to |
| Upholstery leather is processed differently. Using | | | | “clean” your leather furniture, be sure to use a |
| chromium tanning chemistry, the end result is soft, | | | | pH-balanced cleaner appropriate for your type of |
| supple leather that is much more sensitive to harsh | | | | leather. If you have questions, contact a leather |
| cleaners like saddle soap. Here’s the reason why. | | | | professional. |
| Think about your own skin. Would you wash your face | | | | Just remember, saddle soap will remove manure, |
| with a strong household cleaner? Certainly it would | | | | clumps of dirt, and the grime from a saddle after being |
| clean your face, however the drying and chaffing | | | | out on the trail. Hopefully your furniture is not subjected |
| effect it has on your skin is not desirable, particularly | | | | to the same environment. To prolong the life of your |
| with repeated use. The same is true for upholstery | | | | fine leather upholstery, use leather care products that |
| leather. The fact is that upholstery leather is acidic. It | | | | are chemically engineered specifically for upholstery |
| has a pH of 4.5 - 5. Harsh cleaners are highly alkaline. | | | | leather. |
| Consequently a chemical reaction occurs in the leather | | | | Now you can even repair and recolor your leather |
| that breaks down its fibrous structure. Therefore | | | | furniture with a DIY leather restoration kit or leather |
| it’s important to use leather cleaners that are | | | | repair kit, but make sure you get a quality kit in order to |
| chemically engineered (pH balanced) specifically for | | | | achieve a good result. |
| upholstery leather. | | | | |