Leather Furniture Care
By Gary Bracken
Leather Furniture Tips and Care
Leather upholstered furniture used to only be for the wealthy. They were usually
large stately pieces that featured extensive button tufting and the
characteristic brass nails at the front of the arms. Almost all pieces were very
dark in color and had shiny glazed finishes. That is no longer true in the
furniture industry today. Manufacturers of leather furniture have successfully
convinced the general public that leather furniture is attainable for most
people. Leather has become so popular that we would benefit by being better
informed regarding the terms that are being used and the proper placement and
care of contemporary leather upholstered furniture.
Without exception leather is the most durable and long lasting fabric covering
that has ever been used. Leather lasts 4 to 5 times longer than any other
upholstered fabric. It is fire resistant, does not crack or peel, resists heat
and sun, wears gracefully by becoming more supple with age and it holds its
color fastness. Generally you can not go wrong purchasing fine leather furniture
but it is wise to be informed before you buy.
Placement of Leather Furniture
The placement of your leather furniture is very important to ensure years of
service. Do not place leather furniture too close to a radiator, fireplace or a
direct heat source, even a heater vent. Maintain at least 2 feet between any
heat source and the piece.
Avoid placing your leather furniture in direct sunlight. This will also dry out
your leather and cause it to fade. Although leather is the most durable covering
available anything exposed to direct sunlight will fade over time.
Whenever possible position your leather furniture away from high traffic areas
that may be susceptible to family members or visitors who will inadvertently rub
against it. This may seem trivial but leather that is continuously will show
marks that may not be able to be removed by conditioners. The best policy is to
place leather furniture at the far end of the footpath. This way you can display
its beauty more openly and at the same preserve its look.
Care of Leather Furniture
Weekly - Dusting your leather weekly is very important to keep leather pores
free from dust particles. Simply wipe it with a soft cloth. Don’t under estimate
this seemingly small task; it goes a long way in the long term care of your
leather. We will discuss more thorough cleaning next but remember not to neglect
the weekly maintenance.
Spot Cleaning - As always the quicker you get to a spot or stain the greater
success you will have. Most spills of food and beverages should be wiped up
using a damp cloth with a light detergent soap, such as liquid hand soap.
All other stains such as ink marks, grease, blood, urine, wax or gum should be
removed using a professional leather cleaner. Just follow the instructions that
come with the product. It is a good idea to have a good leather cleaner on hand
so that you will be able to address the problem immediately after it happens.
Quarterly - When you first place your new leather furniture be sure to use a
high quality leather conditioner/preservative to protect it and keep the leather
supple. You should fully clean your leather furniture four times per year using
quality leather cleaner. Pay special attention to wear surfaces, arms, backs and
seats. After a thorough cleaning always re-apply the conditioner/protectant to
ensure many years of trouble free service from your leather furniture.
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Greg Brandon maintains a site dedicated to leather bags, couches, furniture and
the proper care of leather at
http://www.andante-leather.com
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