All about upholstery leather and its care
BUT FIRST, TO UNDERSTAND CLEARLY, LET'S REVIEW THE BASICS
What kind of leather is my armchair or sofa upholstery made of?
Here are the different types of leather used for our seating upholstery:
First, the leather used in furniture is bovine leather. Indeed, it possesses essential qualities such as:
- Its resistance, impermeability, grain regularity, ease of supply, value for money: a sofa made of ostrich leather would certainly not be the same price.
Next, the quality of leather sought for seating will, of course, be different from that selected for a bag or a pair of gloves:
The leather must be thick, selected from whole hides to avoid seams and tears.
Prioritize cowhide leather for a sofa or armchair; buffalo or calf hides can also be used to make it. The choice of animal determines the visual appearance as well as the expected suppleness.
• Buffalo leather is characterized by a thick grain and strong relief:
• Cowhide leather is marked by a semi-thick grain that gives the hide recognized robustness and pleasant, very comfortable suppleness.
• Calf leather has a fine grain. Very soft and supple, this type of leather is also thinner and much more fragile than others. It is therefore strongly not recommended for armchairs and sofas as it will deform and scratch very quickly.
At My New Design, we have opted for 100% cowhide leather which provides very comfortable suppleness but also good resistance over time.
Let's continue with the different characteristics of leathers; there are several categories:
- Top-grain leather which is located underneath. Quite thick, it needs to be lightly sanded to remove superficial marks from the grain: it is stiffer to the touch and less textured.
- Split leather which is the deepest part, giving the material a rougher and stiffer appearance.
My New Design selects full-grain leather for its resistance, suppleness, and aesthetic qualities. It is lightly sanded to remove the natural imperfections of the hide. In furniture, ready-to-wear, saddlery, etc… The leather is then tanned to give it all its suppleness, then varnished with a light protective layer: otherwise, it would be a sponge…! At My New Design, the layer of varnish applied to the hides is thin and entirely sufficient. There is therefore no risk of allergy or sensitization on the skin of a sensitive person. However, don't worry, your leather will be very well protected and completely waterproof.
Let's move on to maintaining the leather of our armchairs and sofas!
First, thoroughly dust the armchairs or sofa with a dry microfiber cloth and a vacuum cleaner in harder-to-reach areas.
Remember to unfold the footrest for armchairs with integrated footrests.
Then proceed to clean the stain with a specific leather cleaner. At My New Design, we work with a range of very good quality products specialized in upholstery for seating.
1. Shake the bottle to perfectly mix its contents.
2. Test on an inconspicuous area of the sofa.
3. Pour “Leather Soft Cleaner” onto a soft sponge and lather by pressing it several times.
4. Apply the foam to the leather, allowing it to penetrate with gentle circular motions.
5. Focus with the sponge on the dirtiest areas. The larger the sponge, the quicker the cleaning operation. When the sponge is dirty, rinse it with clean distilled water.
6. Remove excess foam and dirt with a soft white cotton cloth. If the leather is very dirty or has colored stains such as those left by blue jeans, it is advisable to use stronger products like Strong Cleaner or Light Coloured Leather Care Kit.
7. After achieving the desired result, wait half an hour before using the leather furniture. To re-protect the leather after cleaning, apply Leather Conditioning Cream.
Shake the bottle to perfectly mix its contents.
- Test on an inconspicuous area of the sofa.
- Pour the “Feather Soft Cleaner” product onto a soft sponge and lather by pressing it several times.
- Apply the foam to the leather, massaging the leather with gentle circular motions. Focus with the sponge (never the abrasive side) on the dirtiest areas. The larger the sponge, the quicker the cleaning operation. When the sponge is dirty, rinse it with clean distilled water.
- Remove excess foam and dirt with a soft white cotton cloth.
- After achieving the desired result, wait half an hour before using the leather furniture. To re-protect the leather after cleaning and once the leather is completely dry, apply “Feather Conditioning Cream”.
Caution:
- Never scrub with abrasive materials (e.g., the green side of a sponge).
- Never use abrasive products such as Cif, vinegar, nail polish remover… which will remove the thin varnish layer and alter the color of your leather in that area.
- Be careful with dark blue or black denim pants, which tend to bleed onto leather just like on fabrics!
- Remember to maintain your leather once a month with a maintenance lotion provided in the maintenance kit.
