If you’ve got any leather furniture or accessories, you’ll know that over time the material can become marked and lose its colour. Whilst leather becomes softer and more supple over time, the ageing process can make your leather look dull and tired.
Leather is everywhere in our lives but we generally treat it as if it’s indestructible. The reality is that, like most things, it needs regular cleaning to look its best.
Leather Furniture Throughout The Centuries
Leather was first used in Greece, for covering sofa-like couches, as far back as the late 7th century B.C. As leather craftsmanship developed through the centuries, it became a must-have luxury for the wealthy. A variety of animal skins have been used in the process, with crocodile and ostrich being two of the most expensive leathers you can buy.
Classic Leather Furniture
From the 18th century, the iconic ‘Chesterfield’ leather sofa has graced country homes, grand hotels and gentlemen’s clubs. The deep button-backed, quilted leather upholstery was first commissioned by Lord Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, in the 1700s. It’s distinctive style, with arms and back of the same height, is still incredibly popular today.
What Type of Leather Furniture Do You Have?
Modern white and cream leather sofas, armchairs, and even the upholstery in your car, have gained in popularity over time. But, over time, leather can become stained, cracked and lose its lustre.
It’s important to know what type of leather you have before you begin to clean it. Different leathers require very different types of cleaning.
The two main types of leather are aniline or pigment. These terms refer to the way that the leather has been coloured.
The general rule of thumb is that if your leather is tan, brown or has a natural appearance, then it’s most likely to be aniline. Aniline leathers can be most susceptible to spills and stains from liquids or oils.
If your leather is one of the vast range of coloured leathers, then this type is known as a pigment leather. The main causes of damage to pigment leather are scratches or anything that damages the pigment surface. Like aniline leathers, they can also lose their colour.
Regardless of the type of leather furniture you have, it does usually respond extremely well to regular specialised cleaning. It’s a good time to carry out an assessment of any damage or wear and tear. I generally find that it helps to save customers money in the long run if I can spot areas that need a little extra TLC.
If the leather is damaged in any way, I’m able to offer a restoration service that includes matching and preparing a near-identical leather stain or pigment. I can then repair the damaged areas with a variety of techniques before re-colouring takes place and finally finishing off to ensure that the area matches the rest of the item.
The Rutland Cleaning Company is the only LTT Leather Technician accredited company in the Rutland area.
My Leather Furniture Cleaning Process:
- Identify the type of leather. This is the most important step as different leathers MUST be treated in different ways
- Establish areas of concern including spots, stains, ink, colour transfer, wear and damage
- Establish whether it is limited to leather cleaning or whether some degree of leather restoration is required
- Clean using a selection of specialist products depending on leather type
- If cleaning is all that’s needed the process will be completed with the application of a protector to keep the leather in tip top condition
- Should any additional leather restoration be required the appropriate stain or pigment to match your leather will be mixed and the necessary repair work undertaken
- Following the restoration work being undertaken the leather will receive the correct finish before finally being protected to ensure your leather lasts longer
Contact me to arrange a free, no obligation, leather cleaning/restoration consultation and quotation.
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