Tips for Cleaning Leather

Tips for Cleaning Leather

The look and feel of leather furniture create an air of sophistication that every home requires. There’s nothing better than sinking into your favorite leather chair or sofa and lounging. But, let’s not forget the importance of leather maintenance. The experts at I.O. Metro have the information you need to keep your leather furniture looking like new.

When buying leather furniture, you want to know the grade or type of leather you are getting. This can also help you determine how to maintain it. There are four main leather types: Semi-aniline, Aniline, Nubuck and Bonded.

Semi-aniline Leather – also known as finished, protected, pigmented or painted. Pigments and polyurethane are applied to the hide to give it a more uniformed appearance, and increase the resistance level of the surface.

Aniline Leather – natural, pure or unprotected leather. Hides are colored with transparent, non-protective dyes. Surface markings and graining aren’t corrected, which make aniline leathers a popular choice.  These leathers can require more care to maintain, you’ll want to wipe it clean with a slightly damp cloth. Make sure not to use any type of cleaning agent, including soap or detergent since aniline leather is very porous.

Nubuck Leather – chaps, distressed, bomber and suede. These hides are aniline with a brushed surface to create a soft velvet feel. Nubuck leather can be highly absorbent.

Bonded Leather – faux, naugahyde or pleather. Typically a durable vinyl or petroleum based fabric, and has a sprayed on application of liquefied leather as its backing. The backing adds more durability to the bonded leather.

General Leather Cleaning Tips:

• Clean leather often with a damp cloth. Frequent and gentle cleaning is better than less frequent, more aggressive cleaning.
• If necessary, clean immediately with a non-concentrated mild soap diluted in lukewarm water on a soft, clean towel. Always try to clean a small hidden area first. This cleaning method is recommended for corrected leathers, not natural grades of leather.
• Rotate and fluff seat and back cushions to avoid wear spots.
• Protect your furniture from direct sunlight and heat.

I.O. Metro offers a great selection of leather furniture, including our new Durham collection. The Durham comes in 3000 grade semi-aniline leather, and is protected to make it more resistant. The light gray color of the new Durham collection will look great in any color and design scheme. Make sure to check out all of the pieces in the Durham collection on our website as they are made available.