Leather Information & Care Does Leather Need Care? Only if you want it to last. Leather is not a permanent substance even after it has been cured and treated. Once it has been allowed to dry out and become brittle, it cannot be brought back. Once the natural oils and moisture have been allowed to dry out and evaporate, they cannot be replaced. They can be replaced while the leather is soft and supple.

Because your leather is fibrous, dryness makes it easy to stain. By continually adding oils and lanolin you assist the leather in resisting stains and soiling.

How Much Care is Needed?

No one can determine the amount of care that is needed, because it depends on so many variables. It starts when the natural oils and greases (fat liquoring) were added back to the leather after tanning and goes to the environment in which the leather is kept. Poor fat liquoring requires more care. Dry environments require more care. The more leather is cleaned, the more it needs care.

As far as we know, the only leather products that are hard to provide care for is suede, which is leather that has a nap. These require care but cannot accept it because of its physical nature.

All leather, including naked leather, requires care. Naked leather may even require more care as there is no finish to slow down the evaporation and drying process. Also, unfinished leather is more susceptible to staining.

When new, most leather is naturally resistant to spills and stains. However, the oils and greases that are added during the fat liquoring process will eventually evaporate or rub off causing eventual dryness which leads to cracking. Some people think this slow deterioration of the hide's surface adds character or an aging "patina". However, the aging can be eliminated by replacing the natural oils that do wear off. Stainsafe provides the products to halt the deterioration of leather.

In most cases, water or a mild and water solution may be used to remove most spills and general soiling. Saddle soap, abrasive or harsh cleaners and petroleum products should never be used on leather.

Leather does not fade easily; however, as with any upholstered item, it should not be put in direct sunlight. Avoid putting newspapers and getting ink on the leather. Ink is one of the most difficult things to remove on leather, and the chemicals that are available to do so may also remove the dyes.

Leather Conditioning

All of us have experienced the effects of leather that is losing, or has lost the oils added during fat liquoring process. A close examination of our shoes, a favorite handbag or leather auto interiors shows the cracking and peeling of the surface which is the first stage of deterioration.

To prevent this from happening, Stainsafe offers a leather conditioner that halts aging and dryness. This product contains the following active ingredients.

• Mink oil - This replaces the oils that dry out in leather over a period of time. Mink oil will lubricate the leather without adding a greasy or oily feel. This characteristic of Mink oil has make it popular component of expensive cosmetics. Mink oil also adds a level of sunscreen to slow fading.
  

• Lanolin - Adds moisture-retaining properties to leather, slowing humidity swings. Provides surface lubrication which makes the leather feel soft.
  

• Polymers - Helps to repel liquids and creates a barrier to prevent saturation which causes stains.

Conditioner Benefits

• Keeps the leather soft and supple, making it comfortable as an upholstery material.
  

• Keeps the leather stretchable while maintaining the natural memory of the leather. This assures the leather will retain a constant shape and look.
  

• Preserves the leather by preventing the drying that leads to cracks and splits. Once a crack appears, it can never be removed or repaired.
  

• Protects the leather by acting as a stain blocker within the porous fibres of the leather.

It works! As we age, we use skin conditioners containing mink oil and lanolin to keep our skin soft and wrinkle free. What better proof is there than to say these products work on our own skin - why not leather?

Leather Application

Upon purchase a pretreatment of lanolin, mink oil and polymers is applied to your leather furniture.

Customer Re-Application

It is recommended that Leather Plus be used every three months for heavy use and every six months for light use.

It is not advisable to expose leather to direct sunlight or to position it near a direct heat source.

Remember!

Once the natural oils and moisture have been allowed to dry out and evaporate, they cannot be replaced. Cracking and peeling soon follow.

Contact us to find out more!

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