Furniture Leather - be nice to good furniture

Leather is a natural material. Therefore, you have to realize that the growth, illnesses, accidents, etc. during the life of the animal leave their traces in the finished furniture leather. The most common distinctive marks are:

WHILST EVERY CARE IS TAKEN IN PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION ANY ADVICE TAKEN FROM THIS WEBSITE IS WITHOUT LIABILITY AND IS AT THE USER'S RISK.

Healed and open wounds
These marks are cuts caused by thorns, barbed wire or the horns or hooves of other animals.

Dung damages
These marks are caused by dung eating into the hide.

Insect stings/bites
Small marks from insect stings or bites.

Neck wrinkles
These are marks caused by growth and are thus an extra charm.

Ringworm
Fungal infection in the live animal.

The above mentioned characteristics in a piece of finished furniture leather are indications of genuine leather as distinct from artificial leather (plastics) which has a regular structure.

Sorting and tanning
Of course, both sorting and processing take place before the leather is sent to the furniture manufacturer. The manufacturing includes firstly the tanning process, where two methods are used: vegetable tanning and chrome tanning.

Chrome tanning is mostly used. The leather is softer and more supple than vegetable tanned leather. It is used for both soft and firm upholstery.

Vegetable tanned leather is used more frequently for firm upholstery.

Colouring
The colouring process includes: Aniline-dyeing and surface coating.

Aniline-dyeing retains the surface appearance and grain of the original leather better because the colouring material soaks into the leather.

Surface coating is a coating of pigmented lacquer sprayed onto the leather surface.

THIS WEBSITE COVERS GENERAL GUIDELINES ONLY

Whilst every care is taken in providing this information any advice taken from this website is without liability and is at the user's risk.

Wharfside Danish Furniture was established 1962 and to this day supplies the very finest solid wood and veneer Danish furniture in the UK

Furniture care and maintenance articles:
Wooden Furniture
Furniture made from other materials
Furniture textiles
Furniture leather
Characteristics of genuine leather

Stool
Range: Ekornes Stressless

Furniture leather is divided into four main groups:

Leather with surface coating - pigmented lacquer coated leather. Depending on its characteristics, the surface coating protects the leather surface against external influences. The leather has better colour fastness to light than aniline-dyed leather and the surface coating makes it difficult for water, dirt etc. to penetrate. The surface can be buffed and embossed (grained) in order to obscure localized surface defects.
Semi-aniline is a type of leather with a thinner surface coating than pigmented lacquercoated leather, (1). The surface is reasonably well protected against external influences.
Leather without surface coating - aniline-dyed or vegetable tanned natural coloured leather - will easily absorb liquids, grease and dirt. This type of leather will darken in use.
Split is the flesh side of the hide. Split is rough on both sides as distinct from suede, which is smooth on one side.

Wharfside's Danish furniture can be supplied in more than one wood in many cases. Many of our Danish furniture collections are crafted in solid oak, solid teak, solid cherry, solid maple, solid beech, solid rosewood, solid walnut, solid mahogany wood. We also have ranges finished with veneer.

Danish dining table in solid wood - Amish

   Leather Recliner
   detail
   Range:
   Ekornes Stressless

MAINTENANCE OF LEATHER FURNITURE

Avoid exposing the furniture to direct sunlight or strong heat.

Leather with surface coating
Day-to-day cleaning:
Wipe with a clean, soft cloth. If slightly soiled wipe with a clean, soft cloth firmly wrung out in boiled or distilled water.

Thorough cleaning (only if absolutely essential):
Wipe or lightly rub the whole surface with a clean, soft cloth wrung out in soapy water (see 'General Care' point 6). Any spills should be removed immediately. Do not vacuum clean as this may scratch the surface. Stain removers should not be used! Sulphonated dish washing liquids and solvents must not be used. Leather cream and leather oil should be used only if absolutely necessary. Caution! If the surface is damaged or worn, leather cream or leather oil can cause the colour to change.

Leather without surface coating
Day-to-day cleaning:
Wipe with a clean, soft cloth. If slightly soiled wipe with a clean, soft cloth wrung out in boiled or distilled water. Wipe over the whole surface to avoid blotching.

Thorough cleaning (only if absolutely essential):
Wipe the whole surface with a clean, soft cloth wrung out in soapy water (see 'General Care' point 6). Any spills should be removed immediately. Do not vacuum clean as this may scratch the surface. Stain removers as well as sulphonated dish-washing liquids, solvents and fat (leather cream, leather oil) must not be used.

Split
Day-to-day cleaning:
Vacuum clean or brush frequently with a clothes-brush.

Thorough cleaning (only if absolutely essential):
Wipe the whole surface with a clean, soft cloth wrung out in soapy water (see 'General Care' point 6). Any spills should be removed immediately. Stain removers, sulphonated dishwashing liquid, solvents and fat (leather cream, leather oil) must not be used.