CARE OF YOUR LEATHER UPHOLSTERY
Please take time to read this carefully as it has been created to help give you some of the necessary care and maintenance information you may need. We hope this guide will also help you understand some of the natural characteristics of leather, with which you may not be familiar.

NATURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LEATHER
Leather is a natural product, and as a result, this means that every leather-upholstered item is unique. Natural marking WILL be evident in leather, and these serve as proof of its origin and confirmation that you have purchased genuine leather. You should be aware that these various hallmarks of leather are dependent upon the type of leather you have selected, and can, (and do) vary from hide to hide and from product to product. No two hides are the same. An average 2.5 seat sofa will use approximately 4.6 hides and as such variation in colour, texture and markings are to be expected.

ANILINE LEATHER
Leather that has been dyed by immersion in a dye bath and has not received a pigmented finish or been chemically treated. This is the most natural grade of leather and has a low light resistance, is susceptible to soiling, and all the characteristics of the hide remain visible. This is a product which has a wonderful luxury “handle” but has low durability.

SEMI ANILINE LEATHER
Leather in which the base coat of the finish contains pigment, but later coats contain a contrasting pigment to give a two-tone appearance designed to imitate Aniline leather. Some Semi Aniline leathers have a light “finish” coat to provide a light barrier seal. This leather has improved resistance to wear and light, and natural characteristics are almost as evident as Aniline leather.

CORRECTED GRAIN LEATHER
Leather from which the grain layer has been partially removed by buffing, to remove imperfections before the surface coating is applied. This leather has a high resistance to wear, soiling and light, and there is less evidence of natural characteristics.

GENERAL
Your choice of leather should be made from two standpoints; IE: budget and durability. If you decide only Aniline is for you, don’t be disappointed if your children, cats and dogs quickly spoil the delicate finish. If your home is not subject to tough rigours of family life and you wish to spoil yourself and enjoy the beauty and luxury that only Aniline leather can offer; then treat yourself to this exclusive product. Don’t forget that any scars, bites, skin folds and general markings are more evident the better the quality of the leather. So please enjoy them, it shows you have purchased the genuine article!

GOOD LOOKS NEED TO BE MAINTAINED
Prior to your product leaving the factory, it will receive a final inspection. It will then be tightly wrapped in order to protect it and minimise movement whilst in transit. Once unpacked, leather sofas may require “dressing”. This is quite normal, and very easy to perform using the following steps:

• Plump up the back cushions and arm pads of each sofa.
• Ease the leather gently into shape with the palms of your hands
• Spread the leather across the seat cushions in the same way
• Give the sofa time to “warm up” and relax (this may take a few days in a warm room).

Nowadays, fillings for seat cushions, back cushions and arm pads, are so much softer and more luxurious than ever before. Advances in modern technology have resulted in the ability to achieve a much softer sit comfort, whilst still maintaining the necessary support. This also means that your sofa can (and will) relax into a more casual appearance over time.

When pressure is applied to the polyurethane foam for the first time, the micro cells within the foam structure “break” which created a slight softening effect. This natural cellular breakdown is expected and has been designed to achieve far greater comfort. It also means that during the first few weeks of use; creases and wrinkles will form naturally in the leather. This is quite normal and should not cause you any concern. These features are a characteristic of the upholstery to give it a soft inviting look that is an inherent feature of the best upholstery. An adage to bear in mind is that a fine sofa or chair doesn’t “wear out”, it “wears in”.

Regularly repeating the above steps will ensure that the good looks of your product are maintained much longer.

CARING FOR YOUR LEATHER UPHOLSTERY

• Try to maintain at least 20-30 centimetres between your leather furniture and a radiator or similar
  heat source
• Avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight (all materials will fade over time when placed in
  direct sunlight)
• Fully clean your furniture with soft leather cleaner every six months to remove dirt and the gradual accumulation of body oils and perspiration, and then lightly apply a leather protection cream
  recommended by your retailer
• Do not use any products that are not recommended by your retailer, as they may adversely affect the surface of the leather