Articles
Cleaning
General Information
Cleaning is an essential part of caring for your leather furniture. It not only removes dirt and oils (which can, over time, break down the leathers protective coating) but will also help to maintain the moisture balance in the leather. This is important for keeping the leather supple and makes it less likely to absorb spillages.
Always test your cleaning product prior to use to check for colourfastness of the leather but remember that high use areas on older suites will react differently to low use areas. During the cleaning process keep a careful eye on what is coming off on your sponge and what is happening to the surface being cleaned.
When deep cleaning leather, foam cleaning has been proved to be a more effective and safer way to clean and all LTT Leather Cleaners come in ready to use foaming bottles to make life easier. Always use the foaming bottle for your cleaning products even on small cleaning operations. Do not use the product 'neat' straight from the bottle; it is less effective and more likely to cause damage.
It is best to avoid 'spot' or localised cleaning and aggressive scrubbing. Two or three gentle cleans will give the same result with much less danger of damage. To clean a small area, on a cushion say, apply foam to the whole cushion panel and carry out the cleaning process over the whole area with more attention paid to the soiled section. This way if there is any colour change it will be much less obvious as a whole panel rather than a patch in the middle of the cushion.
In most cases you are only able to clean dirt off the surface of leather, not out of it. So, if after several gentle cleans you still have stains or marks in your leather it may be best to seek professional advice before resorting to 'kitchen' or 'workshop' products, these can cause severe damage that may be costly to repair or totally un-repairable.
Maintenance cleaning (in between deep cleaning) with La..zy Leather is highly recommended to keep the surface clean and add extra protection.
Different types of leather clean in different ways and need a slightly different process. Check your 'leather type' in ‘What type of leather do I have?’ to refer to the specific cleaning articles listed.
Aniline Style Leather
For the purpose of CLEANING we have included in this section all leathers that absorb moisture (test absorbency with LTT Leather Shampoo) within a minute or so of application.
Because the leathers only have light surface protection (shown by absorbency rate) they will also absorb dirt and spillages more readily, this will make cleaning less effective because dirt will only clean off the surface of leather not out of it.
The other problem you will encounter is that the leather will absorb your cleaning product, which means you will have to work quickly and in small areas.
CAUTION; Excessive body oils (from hair, skin etc.) will show as dark areas that mark pale when scratched. These will not clean off and will require special treatment beyond simple cleaning.
Absorbent leathers will usually go dark when they absorb product but should dry back to normal quite quickly. It is best to test this in several places to get used to the reaction and ensure it dries without dramatic shading. Some shade change would be expected.
ITEMS REQUIRED: LTT Leather Shampoo, sponge (not natural), LTT Leather Protect, paper towel, hairdryer.
PROCESS: Pour a small amount of cleaning product into the water, rinse sponge out in the water and wipe down the surfaces to be cleaned to remove excess dirt* and damp the leather surface.
Now, using the foaming bottle put some foam onto your sponge and apply it to an area to be cleaned and then agitate gently with the sponge rinsing frequently, adding more cleaning product as required. The size of the area you work will depend on how quickly the foam dissipates. After agitation you should lift the foam off with absorbent paper towel (or terry towels). If the foam is allowed to dry then any dirt that it holds will be left on the surface. This last step may be difficult on very absorbent leathers but frequent rinsing of your sponge will ensure dirt is removed.
Aniline leather comes in various styles and they will all react slightly differently. The main factor when cleaning Aniline and sensitive leathers is how quickly the leather absorbs your cleaning foam and the size of area you clean at any time will be dictated by this. Apply foam to an area and gently agitate the foam on the surface until it starts to dissipate, rinse the sponge, collect more foam and start to move over the surface. Try not to over wet any area by concentrating on any one patch, it is best to give a general clean rather than clean individual patch. Once you have cleaned an area (seat, back, arm etc.) dry the area with a hair dryer and reclean if you feel it is necessary.** Clean the whole piece/suite as above and dry.
After cleaning all aniline style leathers should be treated with LTT Leather Protect which will inhibit grease and dirt from being absorbed into the leather and make subsequent cleaning easier. Spray a thin mist over the surface and even out with a white cloth. It is normal to see some colour transference during this stage.
*If you use a vacuum cleaner as a first step, do so carefully as the plastic nozzle can leave marks in Aniline hide. It is still recommended that you wipe down with a moist sponge as your first cleaning step).
**Because Aniline style leather has a greater tendency to absorb stains than Protected/Pigmented leather, do not expect to remove all the marks. If a regular regime of cleaning and protecting is maintained, any stains will blend into the general look of the furniture.
Maintenance Cleaning with La..zy Leather
Dirt and body oils that are allowed to remain on the leather surface for prolonged periods are the main cause of damage to leather furniture and dye transfer is of particular concern to owners of pale and cream suites.
The easiest way to ensure your leather remains in the best condition is to ensure that it remains clean.
La..zy Leather is a simple to use and very effective method of maintaining your leather furniture.*
Regular use in the high wear areas will ensure that soiling (and dye transfer) is not allowed to build up. The protection element left on the surface will help to resist stains from spills and make cleaning more effective each time.
La..zy Leather contains everything necessary to clean, protect and maintain your leather in excellent condition if used from new or maintain recently cleaned furniture between professional or deep cleaning.
*For very sensitive leathers or pale colours in high use areas LTT Leather Protect will give a great protective barrier as an initial treatment.
Heavily soiled leathers will benefit from a deep or professional clean before beginning a La..zy Leather maintenance regime and it is also recommended that your leather has a professional or deep clean once a year. LTT can put you in touch with qualified leather cleaners in your area.
La..zy Leather can be used on all leather finishes except for Nubuck or Suede.
Pigment or Protected Leathers
Pigment/Protected leathers are designed to be serviceable and will usually clean well.
IMPORTANT NOTE:- if you have just purchased new leather furniture we strongly advise that you wipe down the surface with a damp cloth/sponge and apply a light coat of LTT Leather Protect. This will help in resisting dirt and stains and make future cleaning much more successful. This is particularly important if your leather is white, pale cream or pale coloured as this will help in resisting and removing dye transfer.
CAUTION:
- Two-tone, sauvage, and antique finishes, even on new leather can sometimes be delicate and simply wash off (always test cleaning product first)
- Excessive body oils (from hair, skin etc.) may show as dark or tacky areas that mark pale when scratched. These areas should be cleaned very carefully as there is likely to be damage to the surface. If there is any sign of colour loss stop immediately and get advise.
ITEMS REQUIRED: LTT Leather Shampoo (supplied in a foaming bottle), Sponge (not natural), LTT Leather Protect (supplied in finger tip spray bottle), Soft cloth.
(All the above items are supplied in the LTT Leather Care Kit.)
PROCESS: Lightly vacuum or brush the surface if there is excessive dust and dirt present. This step will not normally be necessary for regular cleaning. Add 4-5 squeezes of LTT Leather Shampoo into a bucket of warm water and using the sponge wipe down the surfaces to be cleaned, rinsing the sponge regularly. This will introduce moisture to the surface and start the cleaning process.
Now, using the foaming bottle, apply foam to an area to be cleaned (outside arm, back cushion etc.) and allow to sit for 15 to 30 seconds or so. The foam on its own will start to lift the dirt. Then agitate gently with the sponge rinsing frequently and adding more cleaning product as required. The size of the area you work will depend on how quickly the foam dissipates. After agitation you should lift the foam off with absorbent paper towel (or terry towels). If the foam is allowed to dry then any dirt that it holds will be left on the surface.
When you have cleaned once, check the results and repeat process as required. Several gentle cleans are better than one heavy scrub. It may not be necessary to clean the whole piece of furniture each time. Outside arms and backs will not get as much dirt or body contact as the seats, arms and back cushions and may only need cleaning once or twice a year. Contact areas (seats, arms and back cushions) will need cleaning more often. It is best not to let dirt build up as this can permanently damage the protective coating on the leather.
On paler and off white suites if a blue/grey shading remains after several cleaning attempts get some further advice from our FREE helpline or read the article on Dye Transfer.
When a satisfactory result has been achieved, treat with LTT Leather Protect. Spray an area with a light coat and wipe over lightly and evenly with a white cloth, repeat this over the whole item. A thin coat is all that is required and any excess should be wiped off. Allow to dry thoroughly, or use a hairdryer. Your furniture can be used as soon as it is touch dry although the Leather Protector does not gain its full effectiveness for 48 hours.
Nubuck
Because Nubuck is very sensitive leather it is essential to follow a strict maintenance regime to ensure the leather retains its look and soft texture.
If you have allowed your furniture to become excessively dirty (high use areas have become matted down and taken on a dark slimy appearance) it is advisable to contact a cleaning specialist to restore your furniture before continuing with the process outlined below.
All Nubuck should be treated with Waterstop from the outset. High use areas (arms, seats and backs) should be lightly vacuumed regularly, taking care not to scratch the surface.
We do not recommended any ‘wet’ cleaning product for general cleaning as it is a difficult process and should be left to an experienced cleaner.
What can be done is a regular treatment with a Napping Brush and Nubuck Cloth. This is a simple, effective and safe way to care for Nubuck leather.
ITEMS REQUIRED: Nubuck Cleaning Kit: (Napping brush, Nubuck Cloth, Sponge (ideal size
150mmx75mmx75mm,Waterstop)
PROCESS: The first step is to break up the surface fibres with the Napping Brush. This is especially important on areas that have become matted with body oils.
You can be quite aggressive with the napping brush but keep it moving so that you do not over scrub one spot.
Then unfold and flatten out the Nubuck Cleaning Cloth. This should then be wrapped tightly, smoothly and evenly around the sponge. Ideally what you should end up with is a smooth, even cylinder approx. 35-40mm in diameter. (If you make a mess of your first attempt undo and try again)*
What you have created is a ‘tack roll’ that you will draw across the surface of the leather. In doing so the roll removes dirt from the pile of the Nubuck. This action should be repeated gently and evenly in all directions across the surface (if you clean only in one direction you will clean only one side of the pile).
Set the nap with a dry sponge.
After this process a light spray with Waterstop is recommended, particularly in the high use areas.
General notes:
Spillages and marks on Nubuck should be attended to as quickly as possible. Wet spillages should be blotted gently from the surface, do not be tempted to rub, as you will force the spillage deeper into the leather. Once you have blotted out as much as you can, assess what remains. The next step, if you decide it is required, would be a wet cleaning process and should ideally be carried out before the original spill has dried out.
Use Leather Shampoo on a sponge to damp the affected area (always treat the whole panel of leather not just the area – Nubuck ‘watermarks’ very easily) and again blot with paper towel or dry cloth. Repeat this process several times before drying with a hairdryer. When thoroughly dry re-nap with a dry sponge. Treat with Waterstop.
Heavier spills, foodstuffs etc. should be gently scraped off with a blunt knife. Then gently wipe over with Nubuck foam and sponge (as above). Dry, re-nap and protect.
The Nubuck Cleaning Cloth can be used in most circumstances for dirty scuffmarks, ink, any dry marks etc. It may not be effective but it will not create further damage or exacerbate the problem.
Never attempt to remove marks on Nubuck with solvent cleaners. They will only dissolve the dirt and drive it deeper into the leather.
*Once the ‘Nubuck roll’ has become excessively dirty it can be unrolled and reused making use of both sides. |
.jpg)
