Leather sofa cleaning - Aniline Dye

 Leather sofas last a long time...but only if they are cared for.

We have a brilliant demonstration here of a successful sofa clean.  You can see for yourself  the dramatic difference from the sofa before and after.
(NB. camera flash causes colours to appear different  to non-flash images as seen in "Before" image)

 Before

 After

Here you can see Pierre and Laurence hard at work!

We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in Carpet, Rug, Hardwood floor, Stone floor, Upholstery and Leather cleaning for domestic an commercial clients.

 For more information about our services contact the team on 01223 863632 or at www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.

 

 

Leather care. How to clean your leather?

Like any furniture, leather should be kept clean and free from dirt and grime, which can be abrasive and cause it to wear or fade more quickly.
Avoid direct heat from fires and radiators; you should also avoid strong direct sunlight too.  These things will cause your leather to fade far quicker.

Below are the general care points and instructions for spot cleaning and for spills:

-    Vacuum, brush or dust weekly, to remove dust and light surface soiling

-    Avoid all household cleaning products for any use on leather as they will build up an
unpleasant sticky feel to the leather

-    Light scratches and marks may be polished or rubbed out with a clean dry cloth. Do not rub too hard

-    Dust and light dirt or grime can be removed with a damp clean cloth

-    Cushions should be plumped regularly and  rotated to ensure even wear.

-     Avoid greasy lotions coming into contact with your leather as in certain circumstances this may damage the surface of the leather.

-    Leather does not need 'feeding' or 'waxing' to keep its natural beauty as moisturisers have already been added during the tanning stage.

-    Remember to protect against damage from direct sunlight, excessive heat and from sharp objects.

-    It is important not to soak the leather at any time while cleaning

-    Spills and Spot Cleaning
Liquid-based spills should be dabbed off the leather immediately, with a clean soft cloth or absorbent kitchen roll and allowed to dry completely. Once completely dry, if a mark is still visible gently rub and polish with a clean dry cloth. Never use saddle soaps, oils, baby wipes, all purpose cleaners or solvents. Use of these products could damage the finish and lead to costly repairs. You should find that most spills should blot up easily with a clean dry cloth or paper towel.

-    Oil-based spills and stubborn marks can be treated with a solution of mild pure soap, eg Lux Soap Flakes, then rinsed with clean water. Do not soak the leather.

-    Allow to dry completely, this could be a couple of hours or up to 3-4 days. Some minor oil-based spills will disappear into the leather over the following months.

Clean your leather with an approved cleaning solution, monthly if the furniture is heavily used, but at least four times a year, followed by an application of leather protector. This should be done in conjunction with regular professional cleaning.

Ring Art of Clean on 01223 863 632 and enquire about purchasing the correct leather products or check our website: www.artofcleanonline.co.uk

How do you know when it's time to get your leather upholstery cleaned

We have been cleaning sofas in and around Cambridge since 2007, and would highly recommend that home owners have their leather upholstery professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, as if you leave it too long before having it cleaned and treated it could cause permanent damage to your leather sofa or chairs.

To stop your sofa from being permanently damaged from everyday dirt you will need to clean it with a damp cloth every couple of weeks, however do not use cleaning wipes to clean it as this will damage the oils in the leather. As permanent dirt will work its way into the groves of the leather, which will in time break down the protective coating and could cause the leather to crack and have a grey stain which will be permanent.

Depending on the type of leather sofa you own depends on the treatment that will be needed, here are the main types:

Aniline leather

This is a leather skin usually of high quality that is coloured by placing it in a dye bath thus allowing the colour to penetrate into the leather. There is usually no or hardly any coating (other than protective coatings) on aniline leather

Pigmented leather

This type of leather can be better quality or sometimes lower grade leather. The leather is treated with a topical colour coating followed by clear protective coatings.

Semi-Aniline leather

This type of leather is a combination of pigmented and aniline leather. Some coating on the surface and some colour inside the leather.

Aniline and semi-aniline leather is much more absorbent than pigmented leather

Therefore pigmented leather tends to stay cleaner longer and can be easier to clean.

If you would like to talk to our team about having your upholstery cleaned then why not give us a call today on 01223 863632.