Upholstery leathers are of two main types semi aniline, pigmented and pigmented top coated corrected grain leathers and aniline leathers. Both types have their own special characteristics and attractive features. It is essential to understand their characteristics if their beautiful appearance is to be maintained.

Semi aniline, pigmented and pigmented top coated corrected grain leathers are the most common and are normally finished with a water-based pigment and a clear urethane top coat. This provides a protective surface to the leather and enhances its durability. It makes the leather easy to maintain. The protective coating on this type of leather will be damaged by solvents, abrasive cleaners and oily substances (including perspiration and body oils) and many household detergents and cleaners. However, most soils are readily wiped from the surface of the leather and leave no residue. Marks such as those produced by marking pens and some ballpoint pen inks are permanent, that is they will not be completely removed by cleaning and should be allowed to fade with time.

Aniline leathers are dyed but have not been sprayed with a pigmented topcoat. This produces a leather which is very soft with the full natural appearance of animals lifestyle. After a certain period of time a patina will normally appear. There are two forms of this leather; one is full grain leather and the other has been further processed by buffing to produce a nap and is known as nubuck.

Because a protective coating is not present, aniline leathers will show the effects of regular use more readily than pigmented leathers. The beauty and appearance of these leathers requires commonsense and a few simple precautions. Modern aniline upholstery leathers generally have surface water based soil-resistant finish applied during tanning. This minimises the risk of accidental stains and assists the cleaning process. Commonsense usage will minimise the accumulation of soils. Prompt treatment of soiling will avoid ingrained stains and discolouration. Finally, occasional renewal of the soil-resistant treatment will ensure that contact areas retain good soil resistance.

To facilitate easy cleaning, it is of paramount importance that you correctly identify the type of leather you have purchased and refer to the appropriate cleaning instructions.

Please identify your particular leather and insert the details in the space provided and send us your details by email so as we have a record. For your future reference may we suggest that you print out the following Care Of Upholstery Leather information.

If in any doubt please contact us or your local agent at your earliest convenience.

Before choosing leather upholstery, consumers should consider its suitability for their lifestyle. For consumers who take a sensible approach, leather will prove to be durable and practical.

Leather should be protected from unnecessary light exposure. Where possible, the furniture should be positioned away from windows. In rooms with high levels of natural lighting, occasional rotation of the furniture is recommended. The furniture should not be placed close to heaters or open fires. Regular dusting or vacuuming with a suitable attachment is also recommended.

It is recognised that sharp objects such as belt and shoe buckles may produce scratches on leather upholstery. Similarly, care should be taken to avoid scratches and soiling by pets.

Perhaps the simplest rule is to avoid soiling in the first place. Dirty clothes, greasy hands, clothes wet with perspiration, and food spills will soil all leather. As mentioned above, oily soils will damage the finish on pigmented leather and will be absorbed by aniline leathers. Most consumers who are proud of their home and furniture see little problem in having rules that prevent this unnecessary soiling.

Regular use of furniture necessarily involves a certain level of soiling which cannot be avoided. This includes household dust, perspiration and body oils (especially from the hands and the head). For these reasons regular cleaning is required.

Modern leathers have finishes that are designed to resist soiling. For pigmented/semi aniline top coated leathers, the finish can be protected by the use of a wax protector after the leather has been cleaned. Aniline leathers manufactured by Wollsdorf Leder have surface water based soil-resistant finish which helps repels soiling. From time to time, it is necessary to replenish this finish, especially on prime contact areas.

Quality leather furniture represents excellent “value for money” because, with sensible care and maintenance, it can be expected to provide many years of pleasure and comfort. Satisfaction with leather requires reasonable expectations on behalf of the consumer.

The following notes should provide a guide on some of the common issues raised about leather upholstery.

Leather is not indestructible. It can be scratched, cut and marked. It requires routine cleaning and maintenance. The care instructions described in this booklet should be carefully followed. You need more than a damp cloth to remove household dust, perspiration, body oils and food stains. It is essential to use effective and safe leather care products.

Leather is not delicate but will show signs of regular use. Do not expect it to retain the same appearance that it had when new. The patina, which develops over the years, is one of the attractive features of leather upholstery.

Because they do not have a protective pigmented topcoat, aniline and nubuck leathers are likely to have a lower colourfastness to light than pigmented finish leathers. This is especially true of the lighter colours. For this reason, they should be protected from unnecessary or strong light exposure. This can be achieved by positioning furniture away from windows, periodic rotation of the furniture and the use of curtains and drapes to minimise the light exposure.

All furniture should carry detailed care instructions, and indicate the type of leather from which the furniture has been made. These should be carefully followed.

Semi aniline, pigmented and corrected grain top coated leathers should only be cleaned with special water-based cleaners. These cleaners do not need to be “rubbed in”. It is more important to regularly clean the prime contact areas to remove the accumulated soils such as perspiration and body and hair oils. They should be removed even though the leather will not appear to be soiled. If cleaning is left until the leather is obviously soiled then it is likely to be irreparably damaged.

For aniline and nubuck leathers. Remove dust and lint with a vacuum cleaner. In the case of localized soiling, a soft absorbent cloth or paper towel can be used to remove the stain. If stains are allowed to remain on aniline or nubuck leathers for an extended period, permanent darkening or discolouration may develop. For this reason, it is essential to remove any spills as soon as possible. Aniline and nubuck leathers produced by Wollsdorf Leder should only be cleaned with water-based cleaners.

Aniline and nubuck leathers should be treated with a suitable protector after an area has been cleaned. This is described in the instructions below.

Semi aniline, pigmented and pigmented top coated corrected leathers should only be cleaned with a proprietary brand water-based cleaner. Solvent-based cleaners must not be used, as these will damage the top coating on the leather. Suitable cleaners may be purchased from reputable furniture retailers.

Aniline leathers, including nubuck, should only be cleaned with water-based cleaners.

Semi aniline, pigmented and pigmented top coated corrected grain leathers should only be conditioned with a proprietary brand water-based conditioner. Suitable conditioners may be purchased from reputable furniture retailers.

Leathers manufactured by Wollsdorf Leder have built-in protectors. These protectors provide important benefits to the consumer by resisting the absorption of stains and soils and making the cleaning process easier. However, these protectors cannot prevent the leather from becoming soiled. Care should be taken to avoid soiling in the first place. Secondly, soil should not be allowed to accumulate. Spills and stains should be removed as soon as possible and the affected area should be cleaned at the same time.

For semi aniline, pigmented and pigmented top coated corrected grain leathers a wax-type protector may be used to provide a temporary protective layer on the surface of the leather. This will minimise the ingress of soil and produce an attractive gloss to the surface of the leather. Wax-type protectors are not permanent and need to be re-applied on a regular basis.

Aniline and nubuck leathers do not have a protective top coat. However, Wollsdorf Leder applies a surface water based soil-resistant finish. This initially provides a high level of soil resistance and assists in the cleaning process. Any area, which has been cleaned, will need to be retreated to restore the original soil resistance. We recommend Scotchgard^TM Fabric Protector for this purpose. The leather must be completely dry after cleaning before the Scotchgard^TM Fabric Protector is applied. Protectors intended for pigmented leathers must not be used on aniline or nubuck leathers.

On all leather furniture, whether it is top coated pigmented leather or aniline/nubuck, regular cleaning of headrests, armrests and seat cushions is essential to ensure that perspiration, body and hair oils do not accumulate and lead to damage of the leather. The amount and composition of perspiration and body oils varies markedly from person to person. Even when we have “clean” hands or skin, we will transfer these substances to our furniture.

The frequency of cleaning will depend on the usage of the furniture and will vary from once every two or three months to six months. After each cleaning, the area should be retreated with a protector suitable for the leather.

Having chosen a luxury leather suite we know you will be anxious to care for it.

One of the characteristics of aniline and nubuck leathers is that their appearance will change depending on usage, wear and cleaning. It is possible to top up this protection after cleaning by applying Scotchgard^TM Fabric Protector to help repel water, spills and soiling. The protector may be obtained from reputable furniture, supermarket and hardware stores. As a natural characteristic of these leathers, some appearance change may occur during either the cleaning or subsequent application of Scotchgard^TM Fabric Protector. You are advised to test in an inconspicuous area for darkening and colourfastness. Proceed if you are happy with the result.

Scotchgard^TM Fabric Protector should not be applied to pigmented/semi aniline top coated leathers.

Test in an inconspicuous area for colourfastness. Hold can 30-50cm from surface and apply with a steady hand. Spray with an even application. Two light applications are preferable to one heavy application. Do not over spray or discolouration may occur. Enquiries should be directed to Wollsdorf Leder

The following notes on the removal of some common stains are intended for general guidance only. Stains of a particular type may vary greatly in their difficulty of removal, depending on the severity and particular formulation of the stain. For example, a beverage containing a food colour is likely to be more difficult than a beverage that contains only natural colourants. Because of the many variables of stain removal, no responsibility can be accepted for the use of the following guidelines.

For severe stains or those not listed, it is recommended that an experienced tradesperson be consulted.

Stains should be removed as soon as possible. Delay may make it impossible to avoid permanent staining.

When attempting to remove a stain, avoid concentrated rubbing on a particular area, as this is likely to produce abrasion damage. It is better to leave a slight residual stain which may fade over time than to produce a permanent mark which may be more susceptible to accelerated wear and soiling.

Always clean from the outside to the centre of a stain. This will minimise spreading of the stain.

1. Remove excess soil immediately. Liquids should be gently mopped with absorbent cloth or paper tissue. Avoid pressing the liquid into the leather. Solid soils may be carefully scooped or scraped from the leather surface. The finish on the leather will keep most serious spills from becoming stains. Pigmented-finish leathers have an inherent resistance to staining. If treated promptly, most spills will be readily blotted from the surface of aniline and nubuck leathers if they have been treated with a surface water based soil-resistant finish, this initially provides a high level of protection for these leathers.

2. If the stain has dried, break or crush the stain and remove the loose particles by brushing or vacuuming.

3. Consult the Stain Removal Guide to select a suitable cleaning agent. Follow the recommended sequence. Read steps 5, 6 and 7 before commencing the recommended treatment.

4. Apply liquid cleaning agents by wetting a clean cloth with the cleaner. Do not apply the cleaner directly to the leather. Avoid saturating the leather. Use as little of the cleaner as possible. Work from the outside of the stain towards the centre of the stain to avoid spreading the stain. Turn the cleaning cloth frequently to keep a clean piece in contact with the upholstery. Blot any excess cleaner with a clean cloth or tissue. Cleaners specially made for upholstery leather should be applied strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Note: Certain treatments may cause permanent marking or damage to the leather. Often, it is a choice of leaving the original stain or leaving a permanent mark.

5. Allow the cleaned area to dry naturally away from direct heat. If the stain is still visible, repeat the cleaning process.

STAIN REMOVAL TREATMENTS FOR ANILINE OR NUBUCK LEATHERS

Caution: The following treatments are not suitable for pigmented/semi aniline top-coated leather. Use only for aniline or nubuck upholstery leather. No responsibility can be accepted for the use of the following guidelines

Apply cleaner to a clean, white absorbent cloth. While the cloth is still wet, wipe thestained area. Always wipe towards centre of stain. Keep clean area of cloth towards stain. Avoid severe rubbing, which may produce permanent marking.

Use only if necessary, as this is likely to darken the leather. Apply shampoo solution to cleaning cloth. Wipe stained area; always wiping towards centre of stain.

Use only if necessary, as this is likely to darken the leather. Sponge the leather with a clean cloth dampened with warm clean water. Blot with clean dry cloth.

Use only if necessary, as this is likely to darken the leather. Sponge the leather with a clean cloth dampened with cold clean water. Blot with clean dry cloth.

Use only if necessary, as this is likely to darken the leather. Do not apply turpentine directly to the leather. Apply turpentine to soft clean cloth. Wipe stain with cloth. Allow time to soften stain. Blot with clean dry cloth. If the paint has dried, then the stain is likely to be permanent – see 7 below.

STAIN REMOVAL GUIDE FOR ANILINE OR NUBUCK LEATHERS

Stain

Treatments

Alcoholic drinks (other than beer or wine)
Ball point pen
Baked beans
Beer
Beetroot
Blood, fresh
Butter
Candle wax
Candy
Chewing gum
Chocolate
Coffee
Cooking oil
Cough syrup
Crayon
Cream
Excrement
Fat
Fruit juice
Gravey and sauce
Grease
Ice cream
Ink - ball point pen
          fountain pen, washable
          fountain pen, permanent
Lipstick
Mayonnaise
Milk
Mud
Nail Polish
Oil
Paint - oil based
             water based
Polish
Soft drink
Soup
Spaghetti
Tea
Urine
Wine

1 2 3
see "ink"
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
4
1 2 3
6 1
1 2 3
6
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
1 2 3
3 1 2 3
see "fat"
1 2 3
7
7
7
1 2 3
1 2 3
4 1 2 3
1 2 3
1
1 2 3
5 1 2 3
4 1 2 3
1 2 3
4 1 2 3
1 2 3
3 1 2 3
1 2 3
4 1 2 3
4 1 2 3

STAIN REMOVAL TREATMENTS FOR SEMI ANILINE, PIGMENTED AND PIGMENTED TOP COATED CORRECTED GRAIN LEATHER

Caution: Do not use solvents or other treatments intended for aniline or nubuck leather. No responsibility can be accepted for the use of the following guidelines.

1. Leather cleaner for semi aniline, pigmented and corrected grain top-coated leather.

Apply cleaner with a soft clean cloth in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Wipe with a clean dry cloth. Allow to dry before further cleaning or reuse.

2. Warm clean water.

Rinse by sponging with warm clean water to remove all traces of suds. Blot with clean dry cloth.

3. Cold clean water.

Rinse by sponging with cold clean water. Blot with clean dry cloth.

4. Call professional cleaner.

This stain is likely to cause permanent damage even with professional cleaning.

5. Ice pack.

Apply ice pack to affected area. After it hardens break to remove from leather.

6. Ink eraser (for leather goods).

Use ink eraser in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

STAIN REMOVAL GUIDE FOR SEMI ANILINE, PIGMENTED AND PIGMENTED TOP COATED CORRECTED GRAIN LEATHER

Stain

Treatments

1 2
see "ink"
1 2
1 2
1 2
3 1
1 2
5 1
1 2
5 1
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
see "fat"
1 2
6 1
6 1
6 1 3
1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
4
1 2
4
4 1 2
1 2
1 2
1 2
2
1 2
1 2
1 2