Caring for Leather

Anline

Also called “Pure Aniline” or “Naked Aniline.” Color is added to these hides much like stain is added to wood. This process allows the natural markings of the leather to show. Pure Aniline is the most honest expression of leather you can buy. All of nature’s beauty marks will be evident, in their authentic, unvarnished glory. Pure Aniline leathers get better with age, absorbing minor scratches and nicks gracefully. Over time it will be as though your own life’s history melds with the original owner’s.

Aged Aniline leathers are pure anilines that have had a finish added to them. A wax, oil or transparent stain is added to add additional ecstatic appeal. These wax and oil finishes will change in color when applied to the frame, helping to add highlights of colors and interest to the detailing of the frame. This helps give each piece its own distinctive look. Most wax and oil finishes will show marks and highlight wear spots. This is intentional and will give each piece a worn look over time. (Much like buying a pair of faded blue jeans.) Though Aged Aniline is slightly less vulnerable to stains and spills than Pure Aniline, neither is recommended for settings where “accidents” are likely a frequent occurrence. Signs of natural beauty markings include healed scars, cuts and insect bites, stretch marks, fat wrinkles, tight pores, backbone impressions and neck wrinkles. Color variations are expected throughout the hide.

Caring for Pure & Aged Anline

Direct sunlight will rob these leathers of their richness. Attend to spills immediately with a clean white cloth, blotting, never pressing on, the spill. Never use heat or soaps on these leather. Should a spill penetrate the leather, gently massage the area with a clean white cloth lightly dampened with distilled water. Contact a professional leather cleaner for serious stains.

Nubuck

After aniline dyeing, these top grain leathers move on to a finishing process of gentle buffing and polishing that removes the top cell layer. The effect is a whisper-soft nap that adds a tactile pleasure to complement the visual beauty. Buffing only slightly obscures the hide’s color variations and natural markings. A wax or topical coating may be applied during finishing for additional surface interest. Signs of natural beauty markings include healed scars, cuts and insect bites, stretch marks, fat wrinkles, tight pores, backbone impressions and neck wrinkles. Color variations are expected throughout the hide.

Because structures of the skin vary, these hides absorb dye unevenly, creating significant color variations. Their surfaces are then machined with fine brushes to create the famous Nubuck “hand”. This gives the leather a depth of color and shading not found in any other type.

Caring for Nubuck Anline

Direct sunlight will rob these leathers of the richness. Attend to spills immediately with a clean white cloth, blotting, never pressing on, the spill. Never use heat or soaps on these leathers. Should a spill penetrate the leather, allow the spill to dry. Use a suede brush, or a vacuum with drapery attachment, and brush the nap. If additional cleaning is required, gently massage the area with a clean white cloth lightly dampened with distilled water. Allow the area to dry and, again, use a suede brush or vacuum with drapery attachment.

Protected

Protected leathers are the perfect choice for people who expect the most out of life and demand high performance from their leather. They are dyed in a process similar to painting: which does hide some of the natural characteristics of leather, such as scars etc. However, it insures a consistent color range throughout the hide. Then a clear top coat that repels spills and stains is added. This gives it a high resistance to fading, liquids and stains.

Protected leathers are also sometimes called semi-anilines. This refers to leathers that have gotten their color through a process similar to stain versus paint. It still allows the leathers natural characteristics to show up. Just like when wood on a home is stained you can see the knots and natural characteristics coming though the stain. Then a clear top coat that repels spills and stains is added. This gives it a high resistance to fading, liquids and stains. Because of the top coat, the leather will not have the same soft subtle hand as found in a pure aniline.

Caring for Protected Leathers

Although no material is totally impervious to the fading caused by sunlight, Protected leathers hold up best. Rearranging the furniture on occasion will extend the life of its rich color even further. As for spills, most should blot up without a trace. Routine cleaning with a clean white cloth dampened with distilled water will eliminate the buildup of dirts and oils that can discolor the leather over time and break down the protective coating.

More Information

For more information about cleaning of your leather, you may want to contact Uniters North America at (888) 825-6551. This is a company that specialized in the care and cleaning of leather. They have over 200 products for leather and may could help if you have special cleaning needs or want to know how to best protect your leather. They are much like your local dry cleaning company that would handle your silks or linens. When Uniters North America products are applied correctly, Our House Designs will not void their construction warranty covering frame, seating and spring up. Uniters North America is a separate company marketing their products across the United States and is no way affiliated with Our House Designs.