To ensure your leather products withstand the test of time, Creative Colors International has recommendations for how to condition leather.
Leather is the high-end material of choice for a variety of industries, including automotive, aviation, marine, and most commercial businesses. Despite its high price tag, people are willing to open their wallets for leather because it is timeless and durable. Leather products like jackets and furniture retain their value even after years of use. Many people opt for leather because it matches any decor or style. As an added bonus, leather does not absorb odors, making it a great choice for pet owners.
Proper Leather Maintenance is Key
Although leather is touted for its long-term durability, it is essential to properly care for your leather goods to ensure they stand up to wear and tear. Exposure to sunlight, extreme temperature changes, and high heat can wreak havoc on your leather. Positioning your leather furniture away from direct sunlight and heating vents will improve durability. Parking your car in the shade or in a garage will go a long way to protecting the interior from extreme temperature changes and high heat.
It is important to clean your leather regularly to keep it fresh. Start by wiping the leather down with a soft cloth. Avoid using DIY cleaning solutions on your leather sofa, and always test any leather cleaner you purchase on a small area before applying it to the entire surface to see if it damages the leather.
In addition to regular cleaning, leather needs conditioning to restore its moisture. Similar to human skin, animal hides need moisture to look their best. Dry leather is prone to cracking, which requires a professional to repair. Learning how to condition leather will allow you to restore its natural oils and improve its appearance. Leather conditioner should be applied with a brush or microfiber cloth about once a month, depending on the climate where you live and how often your leather is exposed to the elements.
Call CCI to Repair Damaged Leather
CCI is the mobile leader in leather restoration services. Our certified technicians can reinvigorate and repair your leather products and know how to condition leather to keep it looking great. CCI can fix tears, scratches, cuts, burns, stains, and fading. Our technicians can also repair seams, replace parts, and restore the color in virtually any piece of leather furniture at a fraction of the cost of replacement. Our technicians also offer on-site cleaning, conditioning, and protection of your leather. CCI’s technicians undergo extensive training to learn the best types of cleaners and conditioners that should be used on your leather item.
Types of Leather
All leather is not equal. Before you head out to the furniture store to buy a leather sofa or invest in leather seats for your new car, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the different types of leather to get the best bang for your buck. There are a variety of options in leather that vary in price, quality, and durability. Leather aficionados can identify the quality of leather by the smell, flexibility, and grain pattern, as well as its high price tag. Here are some of the different leather options.
Full-grain leather. This high-end leather is crafted from the fibrous outer layer of hide, making the grain very fine.
Top-grain leather. Top-grain leather is also crafted from the outer layer of hide, but it is sanded or buffed to remove imperfections. It is pliable and is more stain-resistant than full-grain leather.
Genuine leather. Genuine leather products are made from the remnants of high-end leather pieces and any layer of the remaining hide. While this leather is more affordable, it is not as durable as full- or top-grain leather. Some manufacturers add a polymer coating and emboss it to make it look more like a high-end option.
Bonded leather. Don’t be fooled by the term leather in its name! Bonded leather combines shredded leather scraps with a filler and is covered in a polyurethane coating. It’s commonly used for low-cost furniture and accessories. CCI’s service technicians can repair peeling if it is caught early and covers a small area. We recommend replacing your bonded leather furniture with a more durable alternative to save you time and hundreds of dollars in the long run. Bonded leather is one of the only materials on the market that can almost never be salvaged.
Leave Leather Care to the Experts
If your leather furniture is starting to look worn out or your leather jacket looks dingy, let our expert technicians who know how to condition leather restore it to its former glory. Visit www.wecanfixthat.com to get a free quote for repairs or regular maintenance.
