Leather Furniture Care:
Gary Bracken

Leather Furniture Tips and Care

Leather upholstered furniture used to only be for the wealthy. They were usually large stately pieces that featured extensive button tufting and the characteristic brass nails at the front of the arms. Almost all pieces were very dark in color and had shiny glazed finishes. That is no longer true in the furniture industry today. Manufacturers of leather furniture have successfully convinced the general public that leather furniture is attainable for most people. Leather has become so popular that we would benefit by being better informed regarding the terms that are being used and the proper placement and care of contemporary leather upholstered furniture.

Without exception leather is the most durable and long lasting fabric covering that has ever been used. Leather lasts 4 to 5 times longer than any other upholstered fabric. It is fire resistant, does not crack or peel, resists heat and sun, wears gracefully by becoming more supple with age and it holds its color fastness. Generally you can not go wrong purchasing fine leather furniture but it is wise to be informed before you buy.

Placement of Leather Furniture

The placement of your leather furniture is very important to ensure years of service. Do not place leather furniture too close to a radiator, fireplace or a direct heat source, even a heater vent. Maintain at least 2 feet between any heat source and the piece.

Avoid placing your leather furniture in direct sunlight. This will also dry out your leather and cause it to fade. Although leather is the most durable covering available anything exposed to direct sunlight will fade over time.

Whenever possible position your leather furniture away from high traffic areas that may be susceptible to family members or visitors who will inadvertently rub against it. This may seem trivial but leather that is continuously will show marks that may not be able to be removed by conditioners. The best policy is to place leather furniture at the far end of the footpath. This way you can display its beauty more openly and at the same preserve its look.

Care of Leather Furniture

Weekly - Dusting your leather weekly is very important to keep leather pores free from dust particles. Simply wipe it with a soft cloth. Dont under estimate this seemingly small task; it goes a long way in the long term care of your leather. We will discuss more thorough cleaning next but remember not to neglect the weekly maintenance.

Spot Cleaning - As always the quicker you get to a spot or stain the greater success you will have. Most spills of food and beverages should be wiped up using a damp cloth with a light detergent soap, such as liquid hand soap.

All other stains such as ink marks, grease, blood, urine, wax or gum should be removed using a professional leather cleaner. Just follow the instructions that come with the product. It is a good idea to have a good leather cleaner on hand so that you will be able to address the problem immediately after it happens.

Quarterly - When you first place your new leather furniture be sure to use a high quality leather conditioner/preservative to protect it and keep the leather supple. You should fully clean your leather furniture four times per year using quality leather cleaner. Pay special attention to wear surfaces, arms, backs and seats. After a thorough cleaning always re-apply the conditioner/protectant to ensure many years of trouble free service from your leather furniture.

About the Author:
Greg Brandon maintains a site dedicated to leather bags, couches, furniture and the proper care of leather at www.andante-leather.com

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