[Steve Chapman]

can someone give me a brief run down on cleaning a leather suite, we never touch them normally but have a customer who has begged me to do one.

I read the posts on the different types of leather etc, this one is a bog standard land of leather type , soft and cream in colour, just a bit grubby.

I have suitable cleaner from Prochem and the conditioner, so just wondered if theres a particular format to follow?

Please no lectures on training etc  : as i know thats neccesary, but this has to be done next week, and i'm sure it's not that hard, we've been cleaning fabric suites for twelve years, just never seemed to get asked to do leather until now.


Thanks in advance.

p.s. we do seemed to have had an increase in demand lately for leather cleaning so  i think there's definitely a potential for growth here.
steve

[carpetguy]

i DON'T KNOW THE Prochem leather products............but I suggect you use the product to make foam, in a bucket...........use sponges, both, to create the foam and themn apply it.

BEWARE OF LOADING TOO MUCH ONTO THE SPONGE, as you must avoid the foam / water running down............it will leave streaks............to avoid this, soak the sponge squeeze it, 75% dry, then cover an area, an arm, or a side , or single cushion, quickly, immediately, run over the cleaned area with a towel, then go over the entire suite in this way.....

You may have to repeat this, to get a good result, possibly even repeat it twice.............but this is safe, provided that the chemical is not too strong and critically..........you don't rub too hard.

This is very basic info and you should get onto at least, a one day course with either of the two providers on here.

One is Harrogate based ( LTT ) the other is in Newcastle ( currently has a vacancy on a one day course ) Furniture Clinic.

[Ben Staerck]

Hi,

Here is a cleaning guide for finished leather (the bog standard stuff)

Leather Cleaning – Finished Leather

This type of leather is by far the most easiest to clean and maintain due to its coated finish.

Precautionary Measures

1. Antique Finishes: This is pigmented leather with a tinted black lacquer applied, or leather sprayed black and then lacquered. After about a year under normal living conditions this lacquer becomes very weak and wears away. Take care when cleaning these types of leather as your cleaning motion may remove the black colour exposing the bright colour beneath, generally it’s the wet rubbing that removes the colour not a cleaning product. If you do remove the colour, we also supply products to re-apply it.

2. Dark Patches: Commonly sweat and body oils that have worn the lacquered finish allowing the leather to absorb it. Common on head rests and arms, this will not clean off. Those areas need stripping and re-colouring.

Cleaning Process

Clean with foam to start with, pour some cleaner into a foaming bottle and apply the foam to your brush or sponge. Rub into the leather in a circular motion to lift the dirt and grime. If the leather is very dirty use the leather ultra clean, other wise just use the mild leather cleaner. After cleaning the leather wipe it down with a terry towel cloth to remove any excess cleaning residue and then proceed to apply the protection cream or hide food.

Method: Pour a small amount onto a cloth and rub it into the leather in a circular motion. Cover the entire upholstery like this and then wait 5 minutes. Go back with a clean cloth and buff the leather, this will restore the lustre and feel to the leather and also infuse a leather aroma into the upholstery.

Tips: As you become more confident and understand leather and cleaning better, you can spray the cleaner directly onto the leather for a quicker and sometimes more effective cleaning method. On very dirty leather I create foam on a brush and then slightly wet the leather by spraying the cleaner onto it. Rub the foam into the leather to release the dirty quickly and easily.

Applying protection cream & hide food: If the leather is quite new and its finish is still intact best results can be achieved with the protection cream. If the leather looks well worn and old then use the hide food – it really makes a big difference.

You can always offer your customers the choice because some will always want the protection.

There are more guides and information about leather on our trade website here - http://www.furnitureclinic-trade.co.uk/Guides.htm

[Steve Chapman]

Some nice responses guys, just what i was after

cheers

Dare i ask what the method is if the leather is not the finished type?

regards
steve

[Ben Staerck]

Cleaning Leather – Unfinished Leather

The other group of leathers is the unfinished leathers. These are difficult to clean and often the results are not that great. In order of easiness to clean and effectiveness of results;

1. Pull-up

2. Oily / Waxy Pull-up

3. Aniline

Pull-ups have a resin finish and so clean easier and more effectively than the others, oily /waxy pulls ups have a slight finish and so can clean quite well and aniline unless protected is quite a nightmare to get food results with!

Precautionary Measures

1. These leathers are very absorbent and so will soak up the leather cleaner. Make sure to clean with a foam applied to a sponge and then onto the leather.

2. These leather also absorbs grease and oils very easily and this cannot be cleaned off easily, the leather needs stripped and restored.

Cleaning Process

Pour some leather cleaner into the foaming bottle and create foam into a sponge. Use either the mild or ultra cleaner depending upon how dirty the leather is.

Some unfinished leathers absorb cleaner at different rates and so always start to clean the leather in a relatively clean area before moving onto the dirtier areas. Always split the leather up into small sections (in your mind) and tackle each section one at a time. Cleaning the leather with a sponge in small areas helps to reduce the amount of cleaner absorbed by the leather and so makes your job a bit easier. Clean in a circular motion with the foam until it dissipates and then move onto the next area.

After cleaning the whole suite hopefully the first part you cleaned will be dry by now and you can evaluate how effective the clean has been, it may be necessary to clean the leather again.

Protection: Apply the leather protection cream to the leather, again quite sparingly. Rub it into the leather in a circular motion and allow to dry. If the leather goes quite dark, apply slightly less next time. It is best to put a little bit on the cloth and then rub it into the cloth before applying it directly to the leather. With these natural unfinished leathers two applications may be necessary as the majority of the first application will be absorbed by the leather

[Steve Chapman]

Cheers, thats pointed me in the right direction

The cleaner i have from Prochem  i dont think is a foaming one but a cream, would i be better off using a foam one and is that likely to be more effetive?

regards
steve

[Ben Staerck]

Yes it will be better. Using a liquid or a foam to clean will give you better results than using a cream.

Its not crucial though, if you have the prochem stuff you might aswell use it. We sell 1 litre of ultra clean for £8.00, it may be worth trying both out and see which you like best. Especially if you think leather clenaing is a part of your business you can see growth in.