Leather Master Tutorials
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Leather or Fabric?: One of the big decisions when buying new furniture is whether to buy leather or fabric. This quick comparison of the features of leather and fabric upholstery might help with that decision.
Leather Types and Terms: Knowing a little about the different types of leather will help you to select the leather furniture that’s right for you, and to correctly care for your furniture once you get it home.
How to Care for Leather: Caring for leather isn’t difficult. But, to get the most out of your leather furniture you need to give the right kind of care.
Conditioning Leather: Many people think that they need to condition or nourish leather, but you can’t nourish leather. Leather is no longer alive. It doesn’t react the same way that living skin does. However, leather does need lubrication.
Dealing with Spills & Stains: Removing stains from leather isn’t as difficult as you might think. With prompt action and the right stain removal products, most stains can be easily removed.
Leather Repairs & Restoration: Usually it’s best to leave repairs to the professionals, but there are some minor repairs that you can do yourself.
How to Care for Nubuck Leather: Nubuck leather is leather which has been buffed or sanded. Buffing removes the grain, or skin surface, of the leather, so nubuck leather needs special care.
How to Care for Wax & Oil Pull-Up Leathers: Wax and Oil Pull-Up leathers aren’t difficult to look after, but they do need some special attention.
Recommended Leather Care Products: A quick reference guide to the essential cleaning, protection and stain removal products for each type of leather.
Need help with a specific problem? The Leather Problem Solver might help.
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Leather or Fabric?
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FABRIC UPHOLSTERY
Less expensive: Fabric upholstery is usually much less expensive than leather upholstery.
Comfortable: This is really a matter of personal preference. Leather will breath, or ventilate, to adjust to its environment, so it is comfortable. But, many people prefer the feel of fabric upholstery.
Stylish: Fabric upholstery is available in a wide range of materials, textures, colours and patterns.
LEATHER UPHOLSTERY
Durable: Leather is the most durable upholstery material. Leather upholstery can last up to four times longer than fabric upholstery.
Easy to maintain: Leather is easier to clean than fabric upholstery. Fabric furniture will need to be professionally cleaned at least every 18 months. If it is well maintained, there is no need to have your leather furniture professionally cleaned. Leather upholstery can also be repaired, fabric usually can’t.
Fewer allergens: Dust can’t penetrate leather, so it doesn’t build up in the furniture’s upholstery or filling.
Stylish: Leather adds a little bit of luxury to any interior with its special feel and aroma.
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Leather Types
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Knowing a little about the different types of leather will help you to select the furniture best suited to your lifestyle, and to correctly care for your furniture once you get it home.
There are three basic types of leather:
Pigmented Leather
Aniline Leather (including oil and wax pull-ups)
Nubuck Leather
There are also a few common terms that are handy to know.
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Pigmented Leather
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PIGMENTED - cleaning code P
Pigmented leather is the most commonly available leather. It gets its name from the layer of coloured pigment that is applied to the surface of the leather. Pigmented leather is sometimes called protected leather. This is because it has a protective topcoat. It is this protective topcoat that makes pigmented leather the most robust and the most practical upholstery leather.
If you have children, pets, or entertain regularly, then pigmented leather is the best choice for you.
Consistent, long-lasting colour: Pigmented leather has an even, consistent colour that is resistant to fading.
Easy to maintain: The protective topcoat makes pigmented leather more durable and much easier to maintain than other types of upholstery leather.
Less expensive: Pigmented leather is less expensive than aniline or nubuck leather.
Easiest leather to repair: Minor damage – scuffs, scratches and cuts – can usually be easily repaired. And, because the repair can be covered using a layer of leather pigment, there usually isn’t a visible scar.
Less luxurious feel: Because of the layers of pigment and topcoat, pigmented leather is stiffer, looks less natural, and has less breathability than aniline or nubuck leather.
HOW TO IDENTIFY PIGMENTED LEATHER
1. Feel the leather. Pigmented leather is stiffer to the touch and will feel smoother and less natural than aniline or nubuck leather leather.
2. Look at the leather. The surface of pigmented leather should have a slight sheen.
3. The scratch test. Lightly scratch the surface of the leather with a finger nail. Did your nail leave a scratch mark? If not, it is pigmented leather.
4. The water test. Wet your finger and lightly rub it into the leather. If the water sits on top of the leather and doesn’t darken it, then it’s pigmented leather. A more accurate version of this test can be done using Soft Cleaner. Use Soft Cleaner to clean the leather. If it is pigmented leather, the cleaner should stay on top of the finish and should not darken the leather.
How to Care for Pigmented Leather
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Aniline Leather
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ANILINE - cleaning code A
Leather in its purest form is called aniline leather. Aniline leather is made from the best quality hides. It is dyed, but has no pigmented or topcoat applied. It has a luxurious look and a soft, natural feel.
Comfortable: Aniline leather feels buttery soft and readily adjusts to ambient temperature and moisture. It feels warm in winter, and cool and dry in summer.
Unique style: The natural markings and characteristics of aniline leather are visible, so every piece of aniline leather has a unique look.
Expensive: Aniline leather is made from the best quality hides, so it can be very expensive.
High maintenance: Aniline leather doesn’t have a protective topcoat, so it is highly absorbent and stains easily.
Difficult to repair: Minor damage can be repaired. But, because the repair can’t be covered using leather pigment, there will be a visible scar.
Susceptible to fading: Aniline leather is dyed but doesn’t have pigment or a protective topcoat applied. This makes it more susceptible to fading caused by sunlight and cleaning products.
SEMI ANILINE leather is similar to aniline leather, but it is usually made from lesser quality hides. Unlike aniline leather, semi aniline leather has a thin layer of pigment applied to give a more even colour and cover up any minor imperfections. Some semi-aniline leathers also have a light topcoat applied to provide additional protection. Semi aniline leathers have similar characteristics to aniline leather, but they are slightly easier to clean and maintain.
WAX AND OIL PULL-UP LEATHERS are aniline or nubuck leathers that have been treated with an oil or wax finish. Pull-up leathers are designed to develop a distressed with time and use. Their properties are similar to aniline leather: they are made from high quality hides, they are natural and unaltered, and they are soft and supple to the touch. However, because of the added protection provided by the oil or wax finish, pull-up leathers are more robust and easier to maintain. The wax or oil finish will need to be occasionally reapplied. How to Care for Wax & Oil Pull-Up Leathers
HOW TO IDENTIFY ANILINE LEATHER
1. Feel the leather. Aniline leather will feel buttery and soft.
2. The scratch test. Lightly scratch the surface of the leather with a finger nail to see if it leaves a scratch mark which is a lighter colour than the leather. If it does, the leather is aniline. A similar effect will be noticed on some nubuck leathers, so this is not the only test.
3. The water test. Wet your finger and lightly rub it into the leather. If the leather darkens slightly, but dries invisibly, it is aniline.
How to Care for Aniline Leather
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Nubuck Leather
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NUBUCK - cleaning code N
Nubuck is aniline leather that has had its surface buffed or sanded. Buffing removes the grain, or skins surface, of the leather. This makes nubuck leather incredibly soft and it gives it a texture similar to velvet. But, it also makes nubuck the most difficult leather to maintain.
Comfortable: nubuck leather feels velvety soft and luxurious. Like aniline leather, nubuck readily adjusts to ambient temperature and moisture. It feels warm in winter, and cool and dry in summer.
Expensive: nubuck leather is made from high quality hides, so it can be very expensive.
High maintenance: like aniline, nubuck doesn’t have a protective topcoat, and, because the grain has been removed, it is highly absorbent and highly susceptible to staining.
Difficult to repair: minor damage can be repaired. But, because the repair can’t be covered using leather pigment, there will be a visible scar.
Susceptible to fading: Like aniline leather, nubuck tends to fade.
HOW TO IDENTIFY NUBUCK LEATHER
1. Feel the leather. The surface should have a texture similar to velvet. Move your hand across the surface of the leather to see if it leaves traces similar to the effect when you vacuum a carpet in one direction and then in another. If it does, the leather is nubuck.
2. The water test. Wet your finger and rub it lightly on an inconspicuous area of the leather. The surface will darken and will remain a slightly darker colour when it dries.
Nubucks leather is often mistaken for suede. Nubuck is not suede. Suede is the flesh side of a piece of leather, while nubuck is an effect achieved by modifying the grain side of the leather.
How to Care for Nubuck Leather
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Useful Terms
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Full Grain Leather is leather that has not been modified or corrected in any way. It is high quality leather with a natural leather grain. Full grain leather is usually used to make aniline or semi-aniline leather.
Top Grain Leather (also called corrected grain leather) is leather that has been modified to correct imperfections on the surface of the leather. It usually used to make pigmented leather. To make top grain leather the hide is split into layers, the lower layer is removed and the grain side is retained. This makes top grain leather thinner and more pliable than full grain leather. After being split, the leather is buffed or sanded to remove surface marks. It is then pigmented and printed with an artificial grain pattern. Finally, a protective topcoat is applied. Top grain leather is a strong, durable upholstery material.
Split Leather is leather made from the "split" section of a hide. A piece of leather can be sliced (split) into layers to give top grain leather (the grain side) and split leather (the inside pieces of leather). Split leather is often used to make suede. Sometimes, split leather is embossed with a grain pattern and used to make inexpensive pigmented leather. Split leather is not as strong or as durable as full or top grain leather. It can also be difficult to repair.
Bonded leather is a low cost leather alternative. Bonded leather is made by bonding together thin pieces of split leather using latex binding agents. Bonded leather is designed to mimic the look and feel of genuine leather, but it is not as strong or as durable as genuine leather. It is not usually possible to repair bonded leather.
Bycast is essentially a synthetic product. It consists of a thick polyurethane topcoat applied to a low-grade or reconstituted leather base. The thick polyurethane topcoat makes bycast leather stiff and gives it high gloss sheen. Bycast leathers are generally much less expensive then genuine leather products, but their quality is highly variable. It is not usually possible to repair bycast.
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The Seven Golden Rules of Leather Care
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1. Use protection Protect your leather furniture with Leather Protection Cream before you use it. Re-protect every time you use a leather cleaning product. Why does leather need protection?
2. Clean your furniture regularly , but not excessively. Keeping it clean is one of the best ways to extend the life of your leather furniture. However, to ensure your leather has the longest life possible you need to treat it gently. Leather Cleaning Tips
3. Select care products carefullyOnly use products specifically designed for leather. Never use strong detergents, chemicals, saddle soaps or hide food. Always test leather care products before use.
4. Keep your furniture away from heat Heat causes leather to dry out, making the leather stiff and brittle. Position your furniture at least 30cm away from any sources of heat.
5. Avoid sunlight Never place your furniture in direct sunlight. Sunlight has a drying effect on leather, and UV radiation will fade leather furniture. Aniline and nubuck leathers are particularly susceptible to fading.
6. Protect your furniture from damage Leather is tough and resilient, but it isn’t impervious to damage. Like your own skin, leather needs to be treated with care and protected from scuffs, tears, burns and scratches.
- Be careful when moving leather furniture. Lift it don’t drag it.
- Avoid leaving sharp objects on your furniture.
- Keep your furniture safe from pets.
- Take care when smoking. Leather is fire resistant, but dropped cigarettes will still cause damage.
- Take care when using chemicals (nail polish, nail polish remover, cleaning products, etc) on or near your furniture.
7. Beware of dyes Dye from newspapers and fabrics – such as clothing, cushions and throws – can transfer to your furniture’s leather upholstery. Stains caused by dye transfer are very difficult to remove.
- Always make sure throws and cushions are colour fast before putting them on your lounge.
- Never sit wet towels or clothing on your furniture.
- Don’t leave newspapers or printed plastic bags sitting on your furniture.
More about dye transfer
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Why Does Leather Need Protection?
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Protection from Stains
Unprotected leather is highly absorbent. Leather is hydrophilic – it loves water. Unprotected leather draws liquids deep into its fibres causing stains that can be nearly impossible to remove. Leather Protection Cream is hydrophobic - it repels water and helps prevent stains. Leather Protection Cream also helps to prevent oil and alcohol based stains. Nothing can provide 100% protection from stains, but protected leather is always easier to clean.
Protection from Damage
It’s not just stains that you need to worry about. Some substances can actually damage leather. One of the most common causes of damage to leather is contact with the human body. Over time, body oils and perspiration can cause serious damage to leather. Leather Protection Cream places an invisible, breathable barrier between you and your leather protecting it from stains AND damage.
Protection from Drying
Leather Protection Cream also helps to limit the drying effect of cleaning products. Even the gentlest cleaning products can cause leather to dry out with repeated use. When you treat your leather with Leather Protection Cream you are cleaning dirt and soiling from the top of the protective layer, this limits the amount of contact the cleaner has with the leather.
Pigmented leather already has a protective topcoat. Does it need additional protection?
In short, yes. Leather Protection Cream also helps to protect the topcoat. Many substances can stain or damage the topcoat. The topcoat is particularly susceptible to damage from body oils and perspiration. And, the topcoat doesn’t always provide complete protection. With use, the topcoat will eventually wear. Even on brand new furniture the topcoat may be cracked, damage or inadequately applied. When you apply Leather Protection Cream you ensure that your furniture is always protected.
White leather needs extra protection
Stains caused by dye transfer are common on white and very light coloured furniture. Light coloured leathers will need extra protection to prevent these stains. Preventing dye transfer
Leather Protection Cream is suitable for aniline and pigmented leather.
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How to Clean & Maintain Leather Furniture
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A regular routine of protection and cleaning will help protected your furniture from stains and damage, and add years to its life. Some types of soiling only affect the way your furniture looks. Others can actually damage the leather. Dust and perspiration are both particularly damaging. Dust is abrasive: it acts like sandpaper. Over time dust can cause serious damage to the furniture’s topcoat. Perspiration and body oils contain salts, enzymes and fatty acids, all of which can stain and damage leather and its topcoat. It is important to prevent perspiration and body oils from building up.
To ensure your leather furniture has the longest life possible, we recommend that you:
PROTECT your new leather furniture with Leather Protection Cream before use.
CLEAN REGULARLY, BUT NOT EXCESSIVELY
Every Week: you should dust your furniture. The best way to dust your furniture is using a vacuum cleaner. Use a soft brush head or upholstery attachment and set the vacuum cleaner to low suction. After vacuuming use a cloth dampened with a little water to wipe over the areas that come in contact with the body (headrests, armrests and seats). If your furniture is protected with Leather Protection Cream, you don’t need to use Leather Soft Cleaner every time you clean your furniture, a soft cloth and a little water will do the trick.
Every 3-6 months: you should thoroughly clean your furniture with Leather Soft Cleaner to remove built up dirt and grime. How often you need to clean your furniture will depend on its colour and how quickly it becomes soiled. If you have light coloured furniture, aniline leather, or if your furniture is heavily used (particularly by pets and small children) you will need to clean your furniture more often. But, do not clean your lounge more than necessary, excess cleaning causes unnecessary wear on the topcoat and even the gentlest cleaning products can cause leather to dry out if they are over used. How to Clean Leather
RE-PROTECT your furniture with Leather Protection Cream after thorough cleaning (every time you use a leather cleaning product). When you clean your leather with a cleaning product, such as Leather Soft Cleaner, the Leather Protection Cream is removed.
AND attend to spills and stains immediately. The fresher a stain is, the easier it is to remove. Stain Removal Tips
Suitable for aniline and pigmented leather
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How to Apply Leather Protection Cream
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We recommend that you apply Leather Protection Cream to your furniture before you use it. Always make sure your furniture is free of dirt and dust before applying Leather Protection Cream.
Instructions
Apply the Leather Protection Cream to a soft cloth and wipe a thin layer evenly over your furniture. Pay particular attention to those areas that come into contact with the body, such as the headrests, armrests and seats.
A light coat is all that is required. Allow about 30 minutes for the Leather Protection Cream to dry before using your furniture.
Aniline leather doesn’t have a protective topcoat, so it is best to apply two layers of Protection Cream to all the contact areas. If you have white or very light coloured leather furniture, we also recommend you apply two layers of Leather Protection Cream to the contact areas. Always allow the first layer to dry before applying a second layer. A hair drier can be used to speed up the drying process, but take care not to overheat or burn the leather.
Leather Protection Cream will need to be re-applied every 3-6 months. Before re-applying Leather Protection Cream thoroughly clean your furniture with Leather Soft Cleaner.
Suitable for aniline and pigmented leather.
Purchase Leather Protection Cream
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Cleaning Leather with Leather Soft Cleaner
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Instructions
1. Pour a small amount of Leather Soft Cleaner onto a clean sponge and gently squeeze the sponge to create foam. Cleaning with foam ensures that the cleaner sits on the surface of the leather where it is needed and doesn’t penetrate deep into the leather where it isn’t needed.
2. Apply the foam to the surface to be cleaned. Allow a few moments for the foam to dissolve the dirt, and then remove the foam with a clean white cloth.
Do not rub or scrub at the leather, let the chemical action of the cleaner do the work. Rubbing and scrubbing works on pots and pans, it doesn’t work on leather. Rubbing and scrubbing drives dirt deeper into the leather and damages the topcoat.
3. Always re-protect with Leather Protection Cream after cleaning with Leather Soft Cleaner.
If stains or soiling remain after cleaning with Leather Soft Cleaner, try cleaning the area again. If this doesn’t remove the stain you will need to use a stronger cleaner. Stain removal tips
Suitable for aniline and pigmented leather.
Purchase Leather Soft Cleaner
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Conditioning Leather
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Many people think that they need to condition or nourish leather, but you can’t nourish leather. Leather is no longer alive. It doesn’t react the same way that living skin does. However, leather does need lubrication. Leather is treated with fat-liquors during the tanning process to make is soft and supple. When correctly cared for, upholstery leather will retain these fat-liquors for most of its life. But, as leather ages these fat-liquors may need to be topped up using a revitalising product such as Leather Vital.
New leather furniture should not need to be revitalised. Applying a revitalising product to new leather may do more harm than good. This particularly applies to pigmented leather. Fats and oils will not fully penetrate the topcoat of pigmented leather. They will build up on the surface and attract dirt. As your furniture ages the topcoat will begin to break down and the leather may begin to dry out. It`s when this happens that additional fat-liquors may need to be applied to your furniture.
Leather can dry out prematurely. The most common causes are:
Insufficient maintenance: Usually, when leather cracks or peels it is not due to age, but because body oils and perspiration have built up in the leather and begun to degrade the topcoat. A regular routine of protection and cleaning will keep your leather in good condition. Leather Care Tips
Saturation with water: If leather becomes saturated with water or cleaning products you may notice that it feels stiff once it has dried. This effect can usually be reversed using Leather Vital.
Strong cleaners: Strong cleaners are sometimes necessary to remove stains, but they can also remove the fat-liquors from the leather. Only use strong leather cleaners when absolutely necessary and try to confine their use to the stained area. If you notice the leather has become stiff or dry after using a cleaner, apply Leather Vital.
Environmental factors: heat and sunlight can also cause leather to dry out prematurely. Take care when positioning your furniture: keep it away from heat sources and out of direct sunlight. This effect can usually be reversed using Leather Vital.
If you need to revitalise your leather furniture it`s important that you use the correct products. Lubrication makes leather soft and supple because it allows the leather fibres to move freely against one another. To be an effective lubricant the product needs to be able to penetrate right down to the level of these fibres. Heavy oils will not, they sit on the surface of the leather. The best revitalising products are fat-liquors in emulsion. These products are able to fully penetrate the leather and coat every fibre. We recommend Leather Vital for aniline and pigmented leather.
Do not over use revitalising products: when it comes to leather a little oil is good but a lot is very bad.
How to revitalise leather
Oil and Wax Pull-Up Leathers: Pull-up leathers are treated with either an oil or wax finish to give the unique pull-up effect. Over time these finishes will wear and will need to be revitalised. We recommend Oleosa for oil pull-ups and Wax On for wax pull-ups. How to care for pull-up leather
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Revitalising Leather with Leather Vital
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Leather Vital is a leather revitalising product used to improve the feel of the leather. Leather Vital gives leather a soft, supple feel without affecting its breathability.
It can also be used to stop the squeaking that occurs in motion furniture when leather rubs against leather.
Please note, this product improves the surface feel or "hand" of the leather, but it is not a leather conditioning or softening product. If your leather goods have become stiff, or dry and brittle, please consult a professional leather technician.
Instructions
1. Clean the area with Leather Soft Cleaner.
2. Pour a small amount of Leather Vital onto a clean, lint free cloth and wipe a thin layer evenly over the leather.
3. Allow to dry. If necessary, apply another layer of Leather Vital. It is better to apply several light layers than one heavy application. But, you must let each layer dry before applying the next layer.
Suitable for aniline and pigmented leather.
Purchase Leather Vital
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Preventing Stains
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Accidents happen, but there are some precautions that you take to make stains less likely. To prevent stains we recommend that you:
Use protection: Protect your furniture with Leather Protection Cream.
Clean regularly: Regular cleaning helps to prevent small amounts of dirt, grime and dye from building up and causing a visible stain. How to Clean Leather Furniture
Attend to spills immediately: Spills and stains are always easier to remove when they are fresh. Stain Removal Tips
Prevent dye transfer: Dye transfer occurs when dyes from fabrics (jeans, cushions, throws etc) and printing inks (from newspapers, plastic bags, etc) transfer to the surface of leather causing a stain. Dyes are designed to be permanent. The stains they cause can also be permanent.
Some degree of dye transfer from clothing will almost certainly occur. It is not usually noticeable on darker leathers, but it can be very noticeable on light coloured leathers. It can also be very difficult to remove, particularly if it has been allowed build up over time. If you have white or very light coloured leather furniture, Protection Cream may not provide enough protection against dye transfer. We recommend using Stay Bright for Light Colours. This kit contains products specifically designed to prevent and remove dye transfer.
To prevent dye transfer:
- Make sure cushions and throws are colour fast before you put them on your furniture.
- Don’t sit on your furniture in wet or damp clothing.
- If you dye your hair, be careful about letting your head contact the furniture when the dye is fresh or your hair is wet.
- Don’t sit newspapers or printed plastic bags on your furniture.
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Dealing with Spills
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ACT IMMEDIATELY
The quicker you attend to a spill the less likely it is to cause a permanent stain. As many substances dry they undergo chemical changes that permanently bond them to leather.
STEP 1: Soak up any liquids using a paper towel or clean, white cloth.
STEP 2: Carefully remove any solids using a spoon or a blunt knife. If the solids have dried, they can be gently brushed or vacuumed off.
STEP 3: Identifying the stain and remove it using the appropriate product. Stain removal guide
General soiling and fresh stains can usually be removed with Leather Soft Cleaner. We recommend that you try to remove the stain with Soft Cleaner before using a stronger cleaner.
Always treat leather furniture gently. Never rub or scrub. This is particularly important when using strong cleaners. Strong cleaners are tough on stains, but they can also be tough on your furniture. They need to be used care. It is always best to use the gentlest cleaner possible and only use a stronger cleaner when absolutely necessary.
DO NOT try to remove the stain using regular household cleaning products.
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How to Remove Stains from Leather
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This is a quick reference guide to removing stains from pigmented leather. For a more detailed guide, or for stains on aniline or nubuck leather please refer to the Leather Problem Solver.
To make removing a stain as easy as possible, you need the right cleaning product. Using the right cleaning product makes it easier to remove the stain and saves you time and money. Stains can be grouped into two broad categories: common stains and special cases. Common stains can usually be removed using standard stain removal products. Special cases are stains that are difficult to remove and require specialised stain removal products.
COMMON STAINS
Heavy Soiling: areas of heavy build up of dirt and grime.
Tannin stains: coffee, juice, tea, wine, beer etc.
Protein stains: milk, blood, eggs, ice cream, vomit, urine, and faeces.
Combination stains: stains that contain a combination of the stain types above. For example: wax furniture polish, make up, lipstick, shoe polish, tomato sauce, or chocolate.
To remove common stains we recommend a two step process.
STEP 1 Leather Strong Cleaner: Leather Strong Cleaner is a gentle, water-based cleaner. It is similar to Leather Soft Cleaner, but has twice the active ingredients. Leather Strong Cleaner will remove most heavy soiling and water-based stains. Leather Strong Cleaner Instructions
STEP 2 Universal Cleaner: Universal Cleaner is a powerful cleaner designed to tackle really difficult stains. If you can’t remove a stain using Leather Strong Cleaner, we recommend you try Universal Cleaner. Universal Cleaner Instructions
If the stain persists, contact us.
SPECIAL CASES
Ink: ball point ink
Ink Away will remove most fresh ink marks from leather. Ink Away works best if your furniture has been protected with Leather Protection Cream. Ink Away Instructions. If the ink mark is old, or you can’t remove it using Ink Away please contact us for advice.
Dye transfer: colour transfer from clothing, fabric or newsprint
Dyes are designed to be permanent, so dye transfer can be particularly difficult to remove. You may be able to remove dye transfer using Universal Cleaner, particularly if the transfer is fresh. If your furniture has been protected with Leather Barrier. you should be able to remove the dye transfer with Colour Transfer Remover. If your furniture is unprotected, or you can’t remove the dye transfer, we recommend that you contact us for advice.
Greasy stains: oil, body lotions, butter, pizza, salad dressing, accumulated body oils
How you go about removing greasy stains depends on whether or not they have soaked into the leather. Surface stains can often be removed using Universal Cleaner. To remove deep greasy stains that have penetrated the surface of the leather you will need to use Leather Degreaser. Leather Degreaser Instructions
Mould
Mould can be removed using Mould Killer. But, before you try to remove mould it’s a good idea to make sure it actually is mould. Mould is often confused with fat spew. You can differentiate between the two by performing a simple test. Fat melts when heated, so does fat spew. Use a hair dryer to heat the leather. If it is fat spew, the milky film will disappear as the fat spew melts and is reabsorbed by the leather. If the discolouration is caused by mould, heat will have no effect. How to remove fat spew
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Try looking in the Leather Problem Solver.
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Leather Strong Cleaner
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Leather Strong Cleaner is similar to Leather Soft Cleaner, but it has twice the active ingredient. Leather Strong Cleaner is designed for use on stains and heavy soiling. This is a strong cleaner, so always pre-test the leather for colour fastness before use.
Instructions
1. Pour a small amount of Leather Strong Cleaner onto a sponge. Gently squeeze the sponge to create foam.
2. Apply the foam to the surface to be cleaned. Allow a few moments for the foam to dissolve the dirt, and then remove the foam with a clean white cloth. If your furniture is heavily soiled allow the foam to stand for 30 seconds or longer before removing it.
3. Leave to dry.
4. Once the leather is completely dry, apply Leather Protection Cream.
Suitable for pigmented leather.
Please note: Strong Cleaner can be used on sensitive leathers such as analine or nubuck, but it is not recommended as it may cause colour loss. We recommend Foam Cleaner for sensitive leathers.
Purchase Leather Strong Cleaner
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Foam Cleaner
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Foam cleaner is Leather Strong Cleaner in an aerosol can. This form is better for sensitive leathers such as aniline and nubuck and for heavily soiled areas. The foam is denser then any you would create by hand. The dense foam remains on the surface of the leather and prevents the leather from becoming saturated. Always pre-test the leather for colour fastness prior to using.
Instructions
1. Shake the can vigorously before use.
2. Spray about 30cm away from the surface of the leather.
3. Use a sponge to work foam into the leather then wipe the area clean with a clean dry cloth.
4. Once the leather has completely dry re-protect the leather with the appropriate protection product.
Suitable for aniline, nubuck and pigmented leather.
Purchase Foam Cleaner
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Universal & Rapid S
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Rapid S and Universal Cleaner are two very similar products. Both are highly concentrated cleaners used to tackle really difficult stains. However, Universal Cleaner is gentler, so we recommend it for general use. Rapid S is recommended for professional leather technicians. Neither product should be used on aniline, nubuck or suede.
The video demonstrates the use of Rapid S. The instructions for using Universal Cleaner are the same as those fro Rapid S, so we have not included a separate video or instructions.
Instructions:
1. Shake the bottle before use. Pump some product onto a sponge. The product should foam as it dispenses (if not squeeze the sponge to create foam).
2. Using the sponge, apply the foam to the soiled area and gently massage into the stain using circular motions. Don not rub or scrub.
3. Wait a few moments while the foam dissolves the dirt; then wipe away the excess liquid with a clean white cloth.
4. Allow to dry for 30 minutes. The drying process can be shortened by using a hair dryer, but take care not to over-heat or burn the leather.
5. Apply Leather Protection Cream.
Suitable for pigmented leather.
Purchase Universal Cleaner
Purchase Rapid S
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Ink Away
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Ink Away is specifically formulated to remove ink and lipstick from leather. It works best when used on leather that has been protected with Leather Protection Cream.
Instructions
1. Use a cotton bud or toothpick to apply a small amount of Ink Away to the ink mark. Take care to use the product only on the stained area.
2. Gently massage the product into the ink mark. DO NOT rub or scrub. Rubbing will cause the product to bleach colour from the leather.
3. Clean the area with Leather Soft Cleaner to remove all traces of Ink Away.
4. Allow the leather to dry for 30 minutes.
5. Apply Leather Protection Cream.
This product works better on fresh marks. It should be used as soon as possible after the accident has happened. For older ink stains we recommend Super Cleaner.
Suitable for pigmented leather.
Purchase Ink Away
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Super Cleaner
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Super Cleaner, also called Super Remover, can be used to remove dye transfer, newspaper print and deep stains from pigmented leather. It can also be used to remove old ballpoint pen. Super Remover is a solvent-based product. It should be used with care. If you aren’t a leather care professional, please contact us for advice before attempting to use this product.
Instructions
1. Pre-test the leather for colour fastness.
2. Apply Super Cleaner to a soft, lint free cloth. Make sure to apply enough Super Cleaner to allow the product to draw the stain out of the leather without rubbing.
3. Wipe the cloth carefully over the stained area. DO NOT rub, scrub or create any friction. Rubbing will damage the leather’s finish and remove colour from the leather.
3. Once the stain has been removed, neutralise the area with Leather Soft Cleaner. Make sure to remove all traces of the Super Cleaner.
4. Allow to dry for 1 hour.
5. Apply Leather Protection Cream.
Suitable for pigmented leather.
Purchase Super Remover
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Leather Degreaser
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Leather Degreaser is designed to remove oil, grease, accumulated body oils and oil based stains. Once oil or grease has penetrated the grain of the leather it can be difficult to remove. Leather Degreaser draws oil out of leather and traps it on the surface where it can be easily removed. This takes time. You will need to be patient.
Instructions
1. If the stain is confined to a small area, cover any leather that doesn`t need to be treated. To do this, cut a hole approximately the size and shape of the stain in a sheet of paper and lay the paper on the leather.
2. Shake the can well.
3. Hold the can at an angle and approximately 25-30cm from the leather. Spray towards the centre of the stain, feathering the product to the outside. Make sure that droplets do not fall off the tip of the nozzle onto the leather as they may cause a ring.
4. Allow the product to dry, this may take several hours. If possible, leave to dry overnight. The degreaser goes onto the leather as a liquid and turns into a powder as it reacts with the oil in the leather.
5. Vacuum the area to remove the powder. Check that all the oil has been removed. Heavily saturated areas may require several applications. The powder can only absorb a fixed amount of oil per application.
6. Remove any residual powder using Leather Soft Cleaner (for nubuck, use the Nubuck Cleaning Cloth).
7. Dry the area with a hair dryer, then massage and knead the leather to prevent any rings from forming.
8. Re-protect the leather using the appropriate protection product.
Degreaser is an aerosol based product containing solvents. Read the safety instructions and only use the product in properly ventilated areas.
Suitable for pigmented, aniline and nubuck leather.
Purchase Leather Degreaser
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Colour LIne Pigment
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Colour Line Pigment (CLP) is a self-fixing water based colour with built in pre-bottom, leather filler and finish. The filler in CLP will fill in light cracks and scuffs. However, depending on the type and extent of the damage, you may need to use additional glues and fillers prior to applying the CLP.
For a seamless repair it is vital that the touch up colour matches the original colour of the furniture. If you can provides us with a sample of the leather we can provide you with a custom colour.
If the damage is minor, a Leather Touch-Up Pen might be a better option.
Instructions
1. Before applying the colour, clean the area using the appropriate leather cleaning product, then allow to dry (a hair dryer can be used to speed up the drying process).
2. Shake bottle well.
3. Pre-test the colour in an inconspicuous area to be sure it matches the colour of the leather. It is best to apply two layers of Leather Protection Cream before applying the test colour. This will make it easier to remove the colour if the match is not close enough. Leather Strong Cleaner can be used to remove the colour. This needs to be done as quickly as possible.
4. Pour a small quantity of CLP onto a soft white cloth then rub the first layer into the leather. It is important to rub in the first lay as this ensures proper adhesion with the leather.
5. Dry with a hair dryer.
6. For subsequent layers, blot the CLP onto the leather. This will fill in any damage. Let the colour dry completely between layers. If you feel the colour needs to be blended into the surrounding colour, you can mix Leather Protection Cream into some CLP and apply to the entire area as a final layer.
7. Dry with a hair dryer.
8. Massage the area to help bring back the grain pattern.
9. Apply Leather Protection Cream.
Suitable for pigmented leather.
Purchase Colour Line Pigment
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Scratch Away
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Scratch Away takes care of minor scuffs and finger nail scratches on analine leathers. Scratch Away works by shifting colour to the scuffed area. It works best on minor scuffs and scratches. Larger scuffs may need to be recoloured using aniline dye.
Instructions
1. Apply a small amount of the Scratch Away onto a soft cloth and massage into the damaged area. You should see the area begin to darken. The area but it will dry to its original colour.
2. Allow to dry. This will take 15-20 minutes.
3. Once the area dries, massage the leather to restore its look and feel.
Suitable for aniline leather
Purchase Scratch Away
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Spew Remover
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Fat spew occurs when the natural fats in the leather migrate, or “spew”, from the core of the leather to its surface. Fat spew appears as a milky film or small white dots. It is often mistaken for mould.
You can differentiate between fat spew and mould by performing a simple test. Fat melts when heated, so does fat spew. Use a hair dryer to heat the leather, the milky film will disappear as the fat spew melts and is reabsorbed by the leather. If the discolouration is caused by mould heat will have no effect.
Fat spew can be wiped away with a cloth, but it will re-appear. To remove it permanently you need to stabilise the fats and force them back into the core of the leather. This is what Spew Remover does.
Instructions
1. Pour a generous amount of Spew Remover onto a clean, lint free cloth and wipe evenly over the leather. If you are treating a large area you should change cloths regularly. It is best to apply Spew Remover to nubuck leathers using a sponge.
2. Allow the product to sit overnight to absorb and dry. Spew Remover dries slower on pigmented leather (it may take two or more days to dry completely). After treatment with Spew Remover, you should rub the surface of nubuck leathers to bring back their nap.
Suitable for pigmented, aniline and nubuck.
Purchase Spew Remover
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How to Care for Nubuck Leather
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Nubuck is aniline leather that has had its surface buffed or sanded. Buffing removes the grain, or skin surface, of the leather giving nubuck leather its unique look and feel. It also changes of the characteristics of the leather. Nubuck is the most absorbent leather. Because nubuck is so absorbent it stains easily, is highly prone to fading and is difficult to clean. To protect your nubuck furniture from fading and damage, only use care products specifically designed for nubuck leather.
PROTECT your new nubuck leather furniture with Nubuck Eco Protector before you use it. It’s a good idea to apply two layers of protection to all the contact areas – arm rests, head rests, seats etc. How to apply Nubuck Eco Protector
CLEAN REGULARLY BUT NOT EXCESSIVELY
Every Week: you should dust your furniture. The best way to dust your furniture is to use a vacuum cleaner. Use a soft brush head or upholstery attachment and set the vacuum cleaner to low suction.
Every month: after vacuuming, clean the heavy use areas – arm rests, head rests, seats etc - using a Nubuck Cleaning Cloth, then reapply Nubuck Eco Protector.
Every 3-6 months: you should thoroughly clean your furniture. You can do this using the nubuck cloth. If your furniture is heavily soiled, we recommend Nubuck Cleaner. When cleaning nubuck with a liquid cleaner, you will need to clean the entire piece of furniture to make sure the colour remains even. Light coloured leather and furniture that is heavily used will require cleaning more often.
RE-PROTECT After cleaning with either the Nubuck Cleaning Cloth or Nubuck Cleaner, you should always re-apply Eco Protector.
How to maintain nubuck (video demonstration).
How to apply Nubuck Eco Protector
How to Use the Nubuck Cloth
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Nubuck Eco Protector
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Instructions
1. Make sure the leather is clean and dry. Eco Protector should only be used on clean leather.
2. Adjust the trigger spray to the finest mist spray.
3. Spray the leather from a distance of approximately 30 cm. Apply enough protector to dampen the leather. You may need to repeat this process. Several thin layers are better than one thick one. But, always allow the product to dry completely between applications.
4. Allow to dry. This will take approximately one hour.
5. Once the leather is dry, rub it over with a large sponge to return its original nubuck effect.
Suitable for nubuck leather.
Purchase Nubuck Eco Protector.
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Nubuck Cloth
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The Nubuck Cleaning Cloth is a dry clean product for nubuck. It will remove general soiling and the flattening or matting caused by body oils. Unlike liquid cleaners, the Nubuck Cleaning Cloth can be used to spot clean nubuck. The cloth can also be used on suede and microfiber.
Instructions
1. Wrap the cloth around a clean dry sponge.
2. Rub the affected area in multiple directions. To ensure that your leather is properly cleaned, it is essential that you use the cloth in all directions.
3. Apply Eco Protector.
Most nubuck leathers are not colour fast, so you may notice some colour transfer on the cloth. This does not damage the leather, but it is important to only use nubuck cloths on like coloured leathers.
Suitable for nubuck leather.
Purchase the Nubuck Cleaning Cloth
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How to Care for Wax & Oil Pull-Up Leathers
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Wax and Oil Pull-Up leathers aren’t difficult to care for, but they do need some special attention. To ensure your pull-up leather furniture has the longest life possible, we recommend that you:
PROTECT your new leather furniture before use.
Wax Pull-Up: protect with Leather Protection Cream. How to Apply Leather Protection Cream
Oil Pull-Up: protect with Oleosa. How to apply Oleosa
CLEAN REGULARLY, BUT NOT EXCESSIVELY
Every Week: you should dust your furniture. The best way to dust your furniture is using a vacuum cleaner. Use a soft brush head or upholstery attachment and set the vacuum cleaner to low suction. After vacuuming use a cloth dampened with a little water to wipe over the areas that come in contact with the body (headrests, armrests and seats). If your furniture is protected, you don’t need to use Leather Soft Cleaner every time you clean your furniture, a soft cloth and a little water will do the trick.
Every 3-6months: you should thoroughly clean your furniture with Leather Soft Cleaner to remove built up dirt and grime. How often you need to clean your furniture will depend on its colour and how quickly it becomes soiled. If your furniture is heavily used (particularly by pets and small children) you will need to clean your furniture more often. Do not clean your lounge more than necessary, excess cleaning causes unnecessary wear on the topcoat and even the gentlest cleaning products can cause leather to dry out if they are over used. How to Clean Leather
RE-PROTECT your furniture after thorough cleaning (every time you use a leather cleaning product).
Wax Pull-Up: protect with Leather Protection Cream.
Oil Pull-Up: protect with Oleosa How to apply Oleosa
AND attend to spills and stains immediately. The fresher a stain is, the easier it is to remove.
Revitalising Wax Pull-Up Leather
The wax finish of wax pull up leathers will occasionally need to be reapplied. If your furniture is starting to look scratched, scuffed or faded, then it is time to apply a revitalising product. How to apply Wax On
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Wax On
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Wax On is a leather revitalising product designed to restore the look and feel of wax leathers. Wax On is also excellent for removing mild scratch marks and light fading due to wear and tear. It can also be used on bycast leather to improve the surface feel and to remove light scratches.
Instructions:
1. Shake the bottle before use.
2. Apply Scratch Away to a clean soft cloth and wipe onto the surface of the leather.
3. For scratches, rub wax on into the leather until the scratch darkens, the area will dry to its original colour.
4. Heat the leather with a hair dryer. This softens the wax finish so the new wax can be incorporated.
5. Massage the Wax On into the leather with a soft cloth.
6. Reapply as needed. Several light coats will yield better results than one heavy coat.
7. Let the leather cool to room temperature then massage to restore the look of the leather.
Suitable for wax pull up leather and bycast.
Purchase Wax On
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Oleosa
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Oleosa is a revitalising product for oiled pull up leather. Oleosa is made from fat liqueurs similar to those originally used to create the leather`s unique oiled look and feel. You need to occasionally reapply these fat liquers if you want to maintain oiled look and feel. Oleosa also contains protective agents that improve the leather`s resistance to oil, water and alcohol based stains.
Instructions:
1. Shake the bottle before use.
2. Apply Oleosa to a clean soft cloth and wipe onto the surface of the leather.
3. For scratches, rub wax on into the leather until the scratch darkens, the area will dry to its original colour.
4. Heat the leather with a hair dryer. This softens the wax finish so the new wax can be incorporated.
5. Massage the Oleosa into the leather with a soft cloth.
6. Reapply as needed. Several light coats will yield better results than one heavy coat.
7. Let the leather cool to room temperature then massage to restore the look of the leather.
Suitable for oil pull up leather.
Purchase Oleosa
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