3 Basic Leather Care Tips
The best way to care for you leather is to use it.
Dust
Dust periodically. Dust is a
drying agent for leather.
Limit Direct Sunlight
If possible, place leather furniture out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade any natural product. Leather is no different.
Contain The Stain
For spills, contain as quickly as possible. Blot, don’t rub. For stubborn stains, clean using the Moore & Giles leather cleaner.
What are best practices for caring for leather–simple strategies that can be employed daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly?
From Day One
Select a leather that will last. Real, natural leather will wear in and not wear out.
Daily
Change your mindset! Many treat investment leather with kid gloves, but good leather will take on unique character over time, and begin to slowly patina and take on the life of the owner. Think about your favorite pair of denim jeans
Monthly
Dust is the enemy! Dust absorbs moisture and will cause your leather to dry out and crack. To counteract, periodically dust with a dry cloth.
As Needed
Cleaning: Less is more! First, rule is do no harm. Simply, blot the stain immediately with a dry rag to absorb all moisture. Avoid rubbing the leather and spreading the liquid. A dry white cloth will suffice in most cases. If that doesn’t do the trick, add a little mild dish soap.
Scratches: If you get an undesired scratch in your leather, use the heat of your hand or a blow dryer to smooth it out. The natural waxes and oils in our natural leathers with shift and move to cover the scratch.
How can a homeowner prevent cracks or tears in their leather furniture? A patina is certainly lovely, but how can a homeowner know when to step in before leather wears so much that it’s in disrepair?
It comes back to choosing well, not often. True full-aniline dyed natural leather will not peel or flake. We’ve all seen the cheap bonded “leather” sofas that look as if the top is wearing off the leather – this is not a true natural leather.
Leather is the original performance material and is meant to endure wear and use—from pets and children alike. If you think about it in terms of other furniture, you’ll have to reupholster your fabric sofa several times over the course of your lifetime, while leather stands the test of time.
What are the best supplies to keep at home for rejuvenating your leather? Is there a particular type of tool or conditioner that’s recommended?
Cleaning
We recommend a simple soap and water solution to spot clean. Avoid using abrasive cleaning agents. Instead, mix three parts water with one part mild soap, such as Ivory or Dawn dish soap. Tap or distilled water works just fine! Keep in mind, the stain will look its worst on the day of the incident, but over time, the stain will begin to disperse through the protein fibers of the hide and eventually become part of the look.
Shop Care & Cleaning Products
Is there a recommended placement for leather furnishings? For example, out of direct light, or at a certain distance from a heat source?
Sunlight will eventually cause leather to fade—Avoid positioning it in direct light. If you have leather furniture that will be positioned in direct sunlight, a throw blanket can be placed over the back of your furniture as an easy way to beautifully battle the sun.
What is the recommended cleaning process for shearling leather?
Shake and dry vacuum regularly with a soft nylon brush. For small stains use damp white absorbent cloth and mild detergent. Do not rub, brush, or massage wool products when they are wet or use any cleaning chemicals on nubucks or suede.
What is the recommended cleaning process for nubucks, suedes, or other unfinished upholstery leathers?
Vacuum regularly with a soft nylon brush. For small stains spot cleaned with a dry white absorbent cloth or sponge. If necessary, use clear lukewarm water with the cloth and gently wipe the spill dry using a blow dryer. At the same time, brush the affected area with a soft nylon brush.
For butter, oil, and grease stains, wipe off using a dry white absorbent cloth. If the spot does not dissipate in several days, try sprinkling the area with cornstarch, then cover it with a damp towel. Allow this to set for about one hour. Remove the damp cloth, dry with a blow dryer, vacuum up the flour and brush the nap back up using a soft nylon brush.
For ink or marker stains can often be lightened or removed using a pen eraser or a dry cleaning pad.