Leather Cleaning & Reconditioning

Here’s the answer …

A consumer is frequently told that the leather they purchased is low maintenance and can easily be wiped off with mild soap and water. No further service explanation is given.

Several problems exist with this approach. First, low maintenance is usually interpreted as no maintenance. Second, "protected" leathers have a durable pigmented finish, but are not indestructible. This durable finish initially allows consumers to clean leather with almost anything and get an immediate satisfactory result. The use of these products, not designed for leather, may break down this durable finish causing the pigment to crack or peel. Improper maintenance directly leads to expensive restoration or replacement.

Third, aniline and nubuck leathers are not low maintenance. These leathers are extremely porous and should be cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis to protect your investment. Fourth, leather is purchased primarily for the most active rooms in the house. This choice makes good maintenance a high priority to protect the looks of your investment and for prolonging the life of your leather.

There are four different types of soil to be aware of before you clean leather:

Atmospheric Soils
Consider the dust that builds up on a coffee table or desk over a week’s time. This same dust is being deposited on your leather. To this dust, add the airborne cooking oils and atmospheric pollution that is present, to some degree, in every home.

Common Soils
This includes the outside tracking of the common dirt, sand and vegetable fibers from plants. These are carried into the house in various ways, which can be transferred to leather directly or indirectly from kids and animals.

Dyes and Inks
The inks from newsprint in newspapers will readily be deposited on leather. Clothes such as denims will lose some of their dye onto leather in a process called crocking. The direct approach from the occasional leaky pen or the aspiring 2-year old artist should not be forgotten.

Oils and Grease
Body oils from both humans and animals cause soils to attach and hold onto leather. Hair and hand oils are easily transferred to the arms and head cushions of furniture.

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Last Update-6/26/06