General Leather Cleaning

« **on:** December 23, 2015, 09:41:48 am »

Do any of you who dont specialise in leather cleaning know of a product that is good and can be used on any leather type?
Ive got a leather sofa to do as part of a big job ive just got and like i say i dont specialise or advertise leather cleaning so am just after a general one. Thanks

« **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2015, 11:15:01 am »

You need to know if its pigmented or an aniline type before really.

« **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2015, 01:03:05 pm »

Yes as Steve said above, the cleaning of leather is great - its good money and easier than most jobs, but you need to know the differences between pigmented and anilines.

Its something you could do with training on first or go out with a local cleaner who is willing to show you how.

« **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2015, 01:39:57 pm »

I agree with you both and if i intended doing it regular then i would definately have training.
I just wondered if there were any decent cleaner that cleans any type.
Cheers anyway

« **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2015, 03:47:06 pm »

Steven, I think your best move here is to sub the leather out and stick to what you know. There isn't one magic product that clean 'em all, but deep clean from ltt leather care is good for pigmented leather. Just make sure you don't use it on suede or nubuck as that can easily turn into a nightmare for you. Pieces covered in those leathers tend to be quite pricey as well.

« **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2015, 04:30:55 pm »

As above but if you do decide to have a go make sure you test in an area which is hidden and carry a hair dryer.

But you need to do a course, you might do more leather then.

« **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2015, 06:02:46 pm »

I would go on a course before I went anywhere near a leather suite. It's not difficult but if you put on something that cleans a pigmented leather on an analine suite, there is no get out of jail card. If you are asking then please don't do it. Just because a customer asks have the courage to say no. There are plenty of ways to make an excuse that will still keep the customer happy.
Many people are more happy with an honest answer than to try and take more money off a punter.

« **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2015, 07:30:51 pm »

attempting to clean a leather with no training is irresponsible , you say you have a big job
with this client so why potentially would you attempt to do something with no training.
just look for someone with the proper qualifications don't take the risk.

« **Reply #8 on:** December 23, 2015, 08:48:33 pm »

Steven,

It isn't rocket science as some may suggest..

The main requirement is to find out where it was purchased from and what sort of leather it is..

Then you,ll be able to find out how to proceed.

Cheers

Jen

« **Reply #9 on:** December 23, 2015, 09:01:01 pm »

Ok. Thanks for the replies. Im a professional carpet cleaner, trained, insured etc...
Leather....i would never knock anyone and suggest its easy with no risks...im not daft. However i know operators who use very very simple techniques and off the shelf supermarket products and get results.
I see prochem, solutions and other brands sell 'leather cleaner' and obviously your proper leather experts ltt, buffalo etc sell everything needed for cleaning, restoration etc..
Although i know obviously a general leather cleaner wouldn't probably acheive the same results as maybe the perfect product i just wondered if there was a general product i could use with no risk.
The client is booking me on recommendations based on my carpet cleaning, i wouldn't lie to anyone to make a few quid...ive explained im not a trained leather technician but said i would look into it for them. A few on here i KNOW use products that they wouldnt admit too on here because of reputation..ha.
Once again cheers

« **Reply #10 on:** December 23, 2015, 09:31:47 pm »

Steven,

The prochem leather cleane is pretty good, but we use a version of the dfs kits that actually come with the dfs sofas....

I'm sure you could run into problems with something vintage or very expensive, but the average leather suites are cheap as chips and not complicated to clean......unless you want to make it complicated of course.....

Cheers

Jen

« **Reply #11 on:** December 23, 2015, 10:36:51 pm »

Steven, give Jackie a buzz at Buffalo and have a chat with her, very helpful. They do a good cleaner concentrate that you can dilute down depending what type of leather it is.

« **Reply #12 on:** December 23, 2015, 11:24:27 pm »

Steve - you arent getting the point.

You asked for advice and you got good replies.

Jen says its not difficult or complicated - and thats right, if you have enough knowledge to know what the leather is in the first place.

Cleaning wool is like cleaning any other carpets really - not rocket science but use the wrong product/method and you can soon end up having a problem and the same goes with leather. Its all simple when you've got the knowledge.

How can you ask what cleaner to use when you havent even told us what the leather type is? How can someone advise you on this and thats why we said what we did - if you had said what type it was so we knew you atleast knew that then you would of got different replies.

Dont ask for help then spit your dummy out saying people on here dont say what they use because of reputation!

« **Reply #13 on:** December 24, 2015, 12:20:38 am »

Cleaner Carpets fella...told u in the past if your trying to be lairy contact me direct..

I didn't use this forum often in the past but now do and will continue to...so before i just laughed you off but now genuinely dont reply if you dont want to help...

Some good guys on here...

Also Jen didnt mention leather types as such anyway so wtf u on about.

To all others..thanks

« **Reply #14 on:** December 24, 2015, 12:26:59 am »

Also you have just said exact same as i have asked...
Some products clean all carpet types...wool, synthetic....all! Thats exactly what ive asked if there is a product that cleans all leather types...

Steve will ring her, cheers mate

« **Reply #15 on:** December 24, 2015, 07:58:47 am »

LTT do a product called 'lazy leather'which is a cleaner and protector in one.... Might Be worth a try.

A few basic questions to the client will tell you If you can clean it.... What colour is it? Is it a single colour, or does it have a mottled- 2 tone effect? Can you wipe it with a damp cloth without it darkening/changing colour?

I would clean the carpets and book it in for another day then take a photo and show us it or while you are there do a simple test, I always tell clients that I need to test the leather for suitability to cleaning before giving a price or committing to doing the clean.

« **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2015, 10:30:05 am »

It's not rocket science but do go look...95% of the ones I've looked at have been bog standard ones that you can clean.
I use Furniture Clinic cleaner then apply their protector to the normal soiled ones.
I have also used Solutions HD on the heavily soiled ones followed by the protector and they come up lovely.
Test test test and you won't go wrong although most you go look at you will know they will clean.

« **Reply #17 on:** December 24, 2015, 01:50:57 pm »

steven im not trained in leather either, but i have done a couple of suites using a chemspec (i think, cant be bothered to go look on van?) product with no problems whatsoever, after taking some advice from John at r/mate........
on my to do list in new year.... do a leather course!!!!!

« **Reply #18 on:** January 10, 2016, 05:41:04 pm »

To get the results you would want to get fir your customer it is best to know the type of leather so that the best product and method can be selected to get the best results.
Leather Maintain (the trade version of Lazy Leather) is an all in one non detergent cleaner that can be used safely on all types of leather except Suede and Nubuck
It is great for in between deep cleans but would not be suitable for really dirty leather
Products sold in the shops are so far from professional products you may as well just use water for all the good they will be!!

Dilutable products would be detergents which are not suitable for Aniline style leathers as they will simply soak in and not do any cleaning at all.
We offer a 1 day Leather ID and cleaning course if that is of interest
Please feel free to give me a ring to chat through anything regarding products - we are always happy to help
Cheers
Judyb

« **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2016, 06:22:08 pm »

If you get some training you won't have to turn any away, I've had pigmented peel also I've got a job ATM where I've cleaned a cream pigmented and she wants it re cleaning because there are a few dark areas which are loss of colour on the seating area where it's been heavily used these were pointed out and a re dye is the only way to rectify it but the customer wants a re clean.

The knowledge that you can pick up on a training course is unbelievable because you can answer the questions and pre qualify customers there's nothing worse than offering excuses after the job.

« **Reply #20 on:** January 10, 2016, 06:27:31 pm »

Leather cleaning is the easiest job in the world............

Until something goes wrong and then its a nightmare and can be expensive to put right.......

There's not a huge amount to know but knowing it will save you a whole lot of trouble.......

« **Reply #21 on:** January 10, 2016, 06:32:16 pm »

If anyone thinks that cleaning leather is a breeze they are a disaster waiting to happen. Things might turn out okay for 90% of suites, but get one wrong and it could cost you thousands. No use relying on your insurance either - the first thing they will ask is where did you do your training.