When you choose genuine leather upholstery for your sofa or chairs, you’re making a wise decision!
Leather has been the ultimate furniture covering through the ages because nothing matches its supple feel and enduring appeal – and Naturally Timber offers the finest grade hides in a wide range of colours and textures to suit any decor. This is a significant investment for your home of office, so it pays to take extra care to ensure it retains its value many years into the future.
Here are some simple tips to help retain your beautiful leather furniture’s superb comfort and appearance.
FURNITURE PLACEMENT
The position of your leather furniture in your home or office can significantly affect its longevity.
Take care to place your leather furniture in areas with even temperatures and away from direct sunlight. Placing it close to an air conditioner, heater, fireplace, stove or sunlight through windows is likely to make it dry and lose its softness. Stiff leather is prone to crack, causing permanent damage.
Constant or repeated spells of heat can also fade the colour prematurely. Avoid damp locations because moisture encourages mould and weakens the timber over time.
Also take care to position your furniture on an even surface to distribute the weight evenly. Even slight unevenness can stress the timber structure and fittings, potentially leading to instability over time.
REGULAR CARE
Leather’s natural shine is one of its greatest attractions, and fortunately it only takes a small effort to keep it looking pristine.
Regular dusting with a soft, dry cloth will prevent dirt and debris build-up from making the surface dull. Joins and crevices should be vacuumed regularly. Oils and solvents in hair care products, deodorants and cosmetics can harm the texture and colour of leather if they contact the surface, especially if they have been applied recently.
If you have indoor pets, then they need to be trained to stay off your beautiful leather furniture, or kept in separate rooms. Even the best behaved pet can leave a permanent scratch by jumping (or flying!) onto or off the arms or cushions. Animal saliva is acidic, which can create marks on leather over time.
Protective covers reduce the risk of damage, but they’re not foolproof. They can fall off, and pets have an uncanny knack of finding gaps between the covered area and exposed leather.
SPILLS
A small amount of water is unlikely to damage leather permanently, however some liquids can harm its appearance and durability if it isn’t treated promptly.
When a spill occurs, first blot up the liquid with a soft cloth promptly. Avoid wiping spills, spreading them further instead of absorbing the liquid. Allow ample time for spills to dry before applying a cleaning product specifically deigned for leather.
Don’t use these chemicals or cleaning products on leather:
- Products containing ammonia.
- Chemical solvents
- Strong soaps and detergents.
- Products not specifically formulated for use on leather.
STORAGE
Leather furniture should be stored in a dry place with an even temperature. A climate-controlled storage unit is ideal in Australia with its extremes of climate.
Be sure not to stack boxes or other objects on top of your leather furniture. Excessive weight can stretch the material, causing it to lose elasticity over time, and sharp edges and corners can pierce and scratch the surface, necessitating expensive repairs.
KINDNESS COUNTS
Naturally Timber leather furniture is beautiful and luxurious, and will stay that way for a long time with regular care. Be kind to your leather furniture, and it will love you back many times over!
