Leather Care Information from Omnia Leather:

Furniture World Magazine

The following information was excerpted from a care brochure supplied by Omnia Leather, a manufacturer of leather stationary upholstery and motion furniture. Leather is the fastest growing upholstery material used in the United States today. Its strength, supple feel and wearability set it apart from ordinary fabric coverings. Because leather has an average lifespan four times that of fabric coverings, its no wonderAmerican consumers are increasingly discovering the tremendous value it represents. Genuine leather has unmistakable characteristics that prove its authenticity such as furrows that develop around the neck and shoulder area or barbed wire scratches. These features, plus varying grain density, can cause some variation of color within a hide and from one hide to the next. These are the true hallmarks of nature and why we think leather is special. Speaking Leather: Dyeing: The application of color either by spraying, hand rubbing or immersion. Embossing: A process in which design is added to leather by pressure to alter or correct the surface, resulting in uniform imitation grain. Splits: Underlying layers of leather, usually used for suedes. Tanning: Treating raw hides to reduce their perishability. Finishing: Any post tanning treatment, such as dyeing, rolling, pressing, spraying, lacquering, antiqueing, waxing, buffing or glazing. Full Grain: A term which indicates that leather possesses its original, natural grain; leather which has not been altered. Top Grain: The top surface of the hide. Grain: The distinctive pore and wrinkle pattern of a hide; may be either natural or embossed. Graining, like human fingerprints, is unique to each individual hide, and is the hallmark of quality full-grain leather hides. Scars: These form usually as a result of barbed wire damage the horns of other cattle and other variations in grain pattern that occur during the life of the animal. Stretch Marks: Stretch marks appear in cowhide for the same reasons they do in humans. The process of calving requires the stretching of the skin to accommodate the new calf. Nothing could be more natural. Semi-Aniline: Sometimes called "Aniline Plus", these leathers are first drum dyed in penetrating aniline dyes. Then a thin matching topcoat is applied to even out the color of the hide surface. The topcoat also serves to protect against fading and stains. Semi-Aniline leathers are available in hundreds of colors. They retain most of the softness of their aniline dyed cousins because the natural top grain is left intact. A much larger proportion of the world hide supply is suitable for this class of leathers and as a result is more moderately priced. Shade Variations: No two hides are alike and due to the varying grain structure mentioned below, the dyes and finishes penetrate to differing degrees in different parts of the hide to give an attractive variation. While every attempt is made to achieve uniformity this is not always possible. Aniline Dyed (an-a-lin): Lovers of truly natural products are particularly fond of these leathers: their buttery, glove-soft texture adds an extra dimension of comfort to your sofa or chair. To create this luxurious softness and their rich gem-like colors, aniline dyed leathers are tumbled for up to 12 hours in drums containing transparent dyes. These dyes enhance the subtle textural and color variations of each hide. Through the years, aniline dyed leather develops a distinctive patina which add to its value as a focal point in your home. Corrected Grain Leathers: Many hides are marred by naturally occurring imperfections. Insect bites, barbed wire scars, scrapes and other defects make them unsuitable for your home. To remove these imperfections, corrected grain leathers are first sanded or buffed, then embossed to restore a natural-looking grain pattern. Finally, a dense protective coat is applied. Some natural softness is sacrificed in this process, but this makes for the most economical grade of top grain leather. Leather Care: Leather is a natural product, therefore it needs reasonable care during normal usage. Do not expose the leather to sunlight. We do recommend frequent dusting to eliminate clogging of pores. Cleaning: For spills and stains, blot with a clean dry absorbent cloth or sponge. For matte leathers if necessary, wipe with a clean cloth and damp lukewarm water. Do not dry wet areas with hair dryers, etc. For natural or non-protected leathers, blot liquid with a clean absorbent cloth. If a stain appears it will dissipate in time. Do not apply water to clean butter, oil or grease spots. Do Not Use: Furniture polish, varnish, ammonia, saddle soaps, oils, abrasive cleaner soaps, etc... The leather has been permanently preserved in the tanning process and needs no maintenance other than the simple cleaning recommended. The use of leather care kits will void any warranty claim.