The 10 most frequently
 asked questions
about Leather

1.  Does leather wear better than fabric?

                  On average, leather will outwear any fabric four times.  In addition, as leather is used, it improves in feel and appearance - developing a softness and “patina”.

2.  Isn’t leather hot in the summer and cold in the winter?

      Not really.  Since leather is porous, air circulates through it and assumes the temperature surrounding it. Occasionally, folks confuse this symptom with that of vinyl.

3.  Will my dog or cat be likely to cause damage to leather with their claws?

Since leather has a far denser fiber make-up than woven fabric, the likelihood of your pet puncturing it is remote.  In addition, with the techniques employed today in leather repair, any surface damage can be repaired.  With the chemicals used in tanning and dying, the natural attraction of “raw hide” is eliminated.  If pets are a concern, leather is your best choice.  

4.  Are animals bred and killed for the sole purpose of tanning for leather furniture.

      Absolutely not.  Leather is a by-product of the beef industry.  If the hides were not used to make leather products, they would be disposed of as waste.

5.  Does leather crack and split over time? 

Not anymore.  With the use of natural and synthetic oils in the processing, drying out and breaking down of today’s leathers will not occur as in years past.

 6.     What is a split hide?

 “Splits” are the layers of skin below the surface.  (The surface layer is the top grain.)  These are used in some cases on the non-seating areas of leather furniture.  They are “Corrected” to look like the top grain and offer a cost savings.  Only the second layer is used in quality furniture.  The rest is used to make shoes and belts, etc.

7.  What is Aniline dyeing?

Aniline is a color-fast, highly penetrable dye used in all high quality leather furniture.  There are three types of Aniline dyeing:

1.  Full Aniline:  This process uses only the dye as a visual color.

2.  Semi Aniline:  In addition to the aniline color in the leather, a slight surface color may be used to achieve a consistent coloration.  Also, a protective finish may be applied to the leather.

3.  Surface dye:  In this process, the color you see is entirely surface applied; however, Aniline dye is still used to give the leather its initial coloration.        

8.  Should I be concerned if my new leather furniture has markings such as small lines, blemishes, scars, or color variations on the surface?

     No.  These marks are the “signs of nature” - your assurance that you own genuine leather.

9.  Why is one leather grade more expensive than another?

Since raw hides come from animals all over the world, the climatic and range conditions vary greatly.  Animals from arid, semi-harsh environments have tougher, more exposed hides than those from cooler, more temperate climates.  The process of correcting a hide to remove the effects of a harsh environment is less costly than the cost of a “clean hide.”  Therefore, pricing generally reflects the animal’s origin.  Other factors such as special surface treatments and the age of the animal also affect the final cost.

10.  Why can the price of leather furniture vary so much?

     The single most important reason for this is size, as much as 40% of the cost of the finished product is the leather itself.  Add a couple of inches to the dimensions and the price increases dramatically.  Other factors in the price equation include; grade, split hides, and additional style details.

Leather Care

                 1. Dust or Vacuum frequently; tiny dust particles can clog leather pores resulting in premature wear.

            2.  Clean with a damp cloth (distilled water) monthly.

            3.  Do not place leather in direct sunlight.  Ultraviolet rays in sunlight will eventually result in fading of most leathers.

            4.  Do not place leather furniture near strong heat sources, such as fireplaces, radiators or direct sunlight.  This kind of heat can dry out natural oils in the leather and create cracking and stiffening of the leather.

            5.  Blot spills as quickly as possible.  Due to the light protective coating, most spills will bead up for a time, but it is important to blot them up quickly and let the area air dry.

            6.  If a spill is absorbed, it will dissipate with time as much as human skin will absorb and eventually diffuse stains.  Dried stains can be removed with distilled water and a mild soap (Ivory or Castile).  A closure conditioner must be re-applied to replenish the oils back in the leather and help re-protect at the same time.

            7.  Always test clean on a hidden area to confirm results.  Lighter colors may require more frequency of maintenance than darker colors.

            8.  Nubuck leathers need a routine “fluff” of the fibers with a suede brush.