Leather Considerations

Very few things offer the same style of comfort as old, broken-in leather. People will hold on to jackets, boots, gloves and furniture for as long as possible because they love the look and feel. Of all the leather produced today, nearly half of it goes into shoes, and another quarter for clothing. Upholstery takes up only about 15% of modern leather supply. But when you sit on a cushioned, worn leather chair or sofa, or ride in a car with treated leather seats, you know exactly why leather is so popular.

Of course, leather has also been around a while. Wall paintings and artifacts dating back to 5000 B.C.E. depict the use of leather for sandals, clothes, and military equipment. Ancient Greeks used different tanning methods on leather more than 2,500 years ago. Roman soldiers used leather straps for their shields, armor, footwear and harnesses. The first major California industry was not mining gold, but shipping cow hides for leather goods. And the American Wild West often featured leather chaps, boots, belts and saddles.

Leather products often last for decades despite wear and tear. If not given attention and care, however, leather can crack, chip, or otherwise deteriorate to a point where it cannot be maintained or restored. When it reaches that point, whatever value it has plummets. That’s when you see leather items at swap meets and thrift stores.
Though we cannot speak for clothes or accessories, Preferred Carpet Care has training and experience to help you clean and protect your leather upholstery. We have a few tips and ideas to help you maintain your leather upholstery for ages. What can you do to keep your leather seats and sofas in prime condition?

Clean and Protect Your Leather

When you maintain your leather properly, it can last four to five times as long as fabric or man-made fibers. But as you use your leather upholstery, body oils and sweat transfer from skin and clothes to the leather surface. Depending on the treatments involved, much of this residue can soak into the leather hide, acting like a catalyst for the leather to break down. Likewise, dust and debris from the air or other sources collects and builds up on leather items, affecting their appearance.

There are many oils, creams and leather maintenance products on the market today. Much like carpet deodorants, however, most of them are likely to do more harm than good, eating away at the finish and causing unnecessary dryness. Eventually, you might develop cracks or tears in your leather. Leather is also prone to stains, which could change or depreciate its look and feel. And of course, high-end leather upholstery requires a significant monetary investment, so you want to take care of it in the best way possible.

That way is to contact Preferred Carpet Care in Redding and let us help you with your leather furniture upholstery. We are fully aware of all the different types of leather — including faux leather — and how to maintain and protect each type. We help by applying just the right type of cleaner to keep your leather looking it’s best, and then we show you how to keep it that way. Our decades in the business have brought us in contact with experts that can help you with leather issues if they are beyond our own expertise. You can reach us by phone, or fill out our online form. Let’s consider how to keep your leather looking its best.