Leather Care Tips, Products & Classifications
Different types of leathers have varying characteristics and perform dramatically differently in given situations. Upholstery
leathers are given general classifications based on their finish
characteristics. The difference between the classifications is blurring due to
refinements in tanning processes, but they still act as a general
guide. To keep your leather in tip-top shape, this page also provides Leather Care Tips and offers a range leather care maintenance products to look after your leather.
Leather has been used for various purposes
for thousands of years and has been over this time refined and
developed in the tanning processes to the point where today's
beautiful leathers are an excellent balance between durability
and comfort. Furniture upholstery and automotive leathers are
produced by different tanners in various different processes
to meet the needs of their customers who produce seating and
fittings for the end consumer.
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How long your furniture keeps its beautiful appearance depends
on the care you give it.
Below are some leather care tips to assist you in
maintaining your leather in good condition.
Do keep your leather as clean and supple as possible
with regular use of the recommended Leathercare Maintenance Kit.
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perspiration build-up and body salts are the biggest contributor
to colour loss and breakdown in upholstery leather. Therefore
it needs to be removed regularly.
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clothing and food dye can transfer into leather and needs
to be removed as soon as possible.
Don't allow pets on your furniture. Their claws (dull
or sharp) damage the finish.
Don't place furniture in direct sun or too near a heat source.
Don't use any household cleaners, solvents or petroleum
products, unspecified or non-recommended products (consult your
furniture retailer or manufacturer) and any products recommended
for saddles or footwear.
Don't sit on leather with wet clothing from swimming
pools (salt and chlorine).
Don't allow sharp objects to come in contact with the
leather. These can scratch and cut. |
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Leather Classifications
Aniline Leather
The aniline dyeing process produces magnificent feeling
leather in its most natural form. It gives subtle colours which
enhance the natural beauty of the different fibre structures
in the grain and the various hide marks.
Nubuck Leather
Nubuck leathers have then been further processed to raise
fibres on the grain side of the hide to give it a suede effect.
Semi-Aniline Leather
The leather has a light colour and finish applied to the
surface which reveals the natural characteristics of the hide
to a lesser extent and increases the resistance to wear. This
process balances out dye colour irregularities and allows a
greater colour range.
Pigmented Leather
The surface of this leather has a pigment applied and a
heavier protective coating giving a limitless colour range and
exellent wear characteristics. Pigmented leathers are produced
in two basic forms.
- Full Grain - the grain shows natural grain variation
and all marks.
- Corrected Grain - a process where some of the grain
layer and most of the natural hide marks are removed. The
surface then has a print embossed on it giving a more uniform
appearance.
As a general rule, the finer leathers are more susceptible
to fading and staining and, therefore are more suitable to show
and formal situations. The pigmented leathers and their heavier
finishes are more durable in heavy traffic situations. This
leather is used in virtually all automotive applications.
Leather Care Products - Caring For Your Leather Furniture
Leather is a strong durable surface which will give many years
of good service. Today's modern tanneries apply complex coatings
onto the leathers to increase their stain and wear resistance.
The concept of good leather care for your furniture is to maintain
these coatings for as long as possible. When allowed to build
up, grime, dust, body oils and food stains act to breakdown
the tannery coatings which accelerate the deterioration of the
leather.
Texicote products are specifically formulated to
maintain and enhance the durability of leather to keep your
leather furniture in excellent condition. Regular use of the
kits will effectively remove day to day grime and apply a protective
layer on the leather which will help to repel grime, stains
and body oils. The unique additives in the kits will also help
to reduce u.v. damage with high tech u.v. blockers and resist
mould and germ build up with a sophisticated anti-microbial
agent.
Keep your leather furniture in good shape with the Berkowitz range of leather care products by 'Texicote', available at all our stores:
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