UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: davep on May 25, 2007, 08:36:56 pm
Title: Leather cleaning
Post by: davep on May 25, 2007, 08:36:56 pm
Do many of you lads do Leather cleaning? I may look into getting training on it but was wondering if there is much money in it? Is it a similar profit as Upholstery and what is the general idea behind it ::)
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: carpetguy on May 25, 2007, 11:20:36 pm
Dave
Cleaning leather is much quicker and simpler than cleaning fabrics, but you must know what you're doing and it's relatively inexpensive to get the basic training
The product cost is higher but easily offset by higher charges
I have been cleaning leather for 20 years, but it's safer to use the pro products.
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: Ben Staerck on May 26, 2007, 09:18:41 am
Hi Dave,
Leather Cleaning is very easy to do. No machines needed or no wide range of chemicals to choose from..........just a bit of elbow grease!
You just use a standard leather cleaner and leather protector/conditioner. Most of the time you are cleaning a man made finish and so the dirt is just sitting on top of this and cleans off (in most cases) relativley easy.
The advantage of training is it allows you to identify what problems may occur on leather, how to avoid them and/or how to fix them.
As a rule of thumb. If the leather is absorbant it is going to be more difficult to clean. If the leather etains your cleaner on the surface its going to be easier. Other problems can occur on older leathers where the finish is weak for example and you may get colour loss or the finish may peel.
Problems like this can be avoided by testing first, you can then walk away........or training would teach you how to fix these type of problems.
You can get some basic information reading the guides here - http://www.furnitureclinic-trade.co.uk/Guides.htm
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: *paul_moss on May 26, 2007, 10:36:29 am
Dave If you contact Ben quick he may still have some places for his Warrington course. ;)
Training is a must if your going to do leather.
Cleaning it is straight forward as the posts above state but,but,but you must firstly know what leather type you are cleaning and what condition the top coat is in before you even attempt to clean it. :o
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: Karl Wildey on May 26, 2007, 01:09:51 pm
cleaned an office carpet the other month and notice the leather suite in the waiting room had lost its colouring on the arm rest. Having had a closer look, it turned out the top coating was painted on and could be removed will a wet finger. Why do manufacture makes such crap products?
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: *paul_moss on May 26, 2007, 02:07:12 pm
Your probably talking about a Chesterfield and the antique finish that is put over the pigment to give it its distressed look. Depending on the type of antique finish, some can easily be removed with just a damp cloth. If your ever unsure just get a white cloth and lick a corner then rub the suite and the cloth will be black or purpley black.
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: carpetguy on May 26, 2007, 04:09:48 pm
If the suite is, as Paul suggests, it's one of the easiest, but most dramatic to work on, following correct training, of course !
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: davep on May 26, 2007, 04:25:02 pm
Thanks a lot thats real helpful, paul do you mean Ben Staerck for the course? Cheers ;D
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: *paul_moss on May 26, 2007, 08:06:19 pm
On the Add BBC tags ( the buttons for increasing size,bold,colour etc) you will see the M button in the centre
Moving ;)
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: carpetguy on May 28, 2007, 06:19:05 pm
Some people use All Bran !!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: LTT Leathercare on May 28, 2007, 08:19:19 pm
Hello Davep
Will be looking at your area for one of our free seminars soon, this will be helpful to get you going and give you the basic knowledge you need. If you want more we are always here to help in Harrogate, just give us a ring.
Regards Judy
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: davep on May 29, 2007, 10:49:40 am
Ta Judy, let me know when it comes up please. ;D
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: vangaurd on May 29, 2007, 03:53:29 pm
cheers paul
Title: Re: Leather cleaning
Post by: vangaurd on May 29, 2007, 03:54:58 pm