General Advice
Leather is a natural material and, as such, cannot be expected to be “perfect”. Lines, scars and blemishes from healed wounds, as well as tiny holes from insect bites are to be expected. Such “imperfections” are considered to be hallmarks for high-quality leather. Don’t expect your sofa to be 100% flawless and pristine, and know that normal wear and tear is inevitable if you’re using furniture as it’s meant to be used. With these tips, however, you can make sure your sofa or chair stays in good condition so you can enjoy it for as long as possible.
Your Sofa and You
Perspiration can cause damage to leather surfaces, and certain types of medicines can alter the composition of perspiration, subsequently increasing this damaging effect. While it’s hard to completely avoid this kind of damage, you can keep it to a minimum by avoiding direct skin contact with the leather. Some cosmetics and skincare products contain ingredients like solvents and oils that can be harmful for leather. Avoid using leather furniture with wet hair, and immediately after applying hair products, skincare products, and cosmetics. More abrasive textiles like denim can wear on the leather and transfer dye.
Day-to-Day Care
Keep the leather clean at all times using a slightly damp cloth. Maintain surface appearance and texture by gently wiping your leather once a week with a clean dry cloth or vacuum with a soft brush. This will remove dust. Absorb any spills immediately, and gently wipe the leather clean with a lightly damp cloth. Dry the leather gently after treatment.
Cleaning
If your sofa has visible areas that require cleaning, a leather cleaner can be used to help restore the appearance of your furniture. Copenhagen recommends and sells Master Cabinetmaker’s Leather Cleaner. Whenever you use something new to clean your sofa, first test it in a hidden area to make sure it’s not causing harm. Apply the leather cleaner onto a lint-free cloth or soft sponge. With gentle circular movements, treat the entire surface of the leather. Use a second dry, absorbent cloth to thoroughly dry off and remove any excess cleaner. It is important to condition the leather after cleaning, so it doesn’t dry out. Once the sofa has been cleaned and dried, repeat the exact same process with the leather conditioner.
Routine Conditioning
We recommend your leather furniture is conditioned and re-protected at least every six months, ideally three to four times per year. Copenhagen recommends and sells Master Cabinetmaker’s Leather Conditioner. Gently cleaning and conditioning your leather will help to reduce desiccation, scratching, and fading over time. Before conditioning, wipe the item down with a lightly damp cloth and allow it to completely dry. Once the leather is dry, you can begin the conditioning process. Apply the leather conditioner onto a lint-free cloth or soft sponge. With gentle circular movements, treat the entire surface of the leather. Use a second dry, absorbent cloth to thoroughly dry off and remove any excess conditioner.
Day-to-Day Care
Keep the leather clean at all times using a slightly damp cloth. Maintain surface appearance and texture by gently wiping your leather once a week with a clean dry cloth or vacuum with a soft brush. This will remove dust. Absorb any spills immediately, and gently wipe the leather clean with a lightly damp cloth. Dry the leather gently after treatment.
Cleaning
Do not use any lotion or conditioner on “naked” or unprotected leathers. Also avoid cleaning your unprotected leather furniture with chemicals or polishes, as these can dissolve aniline dyes. Whenever you use something new to clean your sofa, first test it in a hidden area, like on the back, to make sure it’s not causing harm. Remove light scratches by hand with a soft, fluffy cleaning cloth. For spot cleaning, lightly rub the stain with a cloth dampened with distilled water.
Day-to-Day Care
Keep synthetic leather clean at all times using a slightly damp cloth. Maintain surface appearance and texture by gently wiping the surface once a week with a clean dry cloth or vacuum with a soft brush. This will remove dust. Absorb any spills immediately, and gently wipe the synthetic leather clean with a lightly damp cloth. Dry the leather gently after treatment.
Cleaning
In case of light stains, clean the surface using a microfiber damp cloth or a neutral detergent solution, and rinse with water afterwards. Whenever you use something new to clean your furniture, first test it in a hidden area, like on the back, to make sure it’s not causing harm. For harder stains (oil, grease, coffee, chewing-gum, etc.): dissolve the stain quickly by using ethylic alcohol diluted in water at 20%, tamp on, clean with neutral detergent solution and then wipe clean with a damp cloth again.
What is Puddling?
Leather is a natural product that continues to wear and change over time. What we also love best about leather – its natural grain, warmth, and durability – is also what causes some lesser-known (and often infrequently discussed) effects, one of them being puddling! Puddling is the natural stretch of leather that can appear as light wrinkles or loosened upholstery around the seat and back cushions.
Because leather is a natural product, its feel and appearance will evolve based on use and its surroundings. For all leather seating, some puddling is expected to occur and is not considered to be a defect in the leather or in the construction of your furniture. Just like good quality leather shoes, all leather is expected to stretch between 3 and 6% in its lifetime.
Aniline Leather
Aniline leather, named for the type of dye used in making it, is at the top of the “natural” side of the leather spectrum. It is the least processed type of leather, making it the closest you can get to a raw hide! Aniline leather is made from extremely high-quality hides, and is dyed with a natural, soluble dye. The use of a light dye means that the organic qualities of the leather, like color and texture variance, marks, scars, and differences in the grain, are still visible. These markings add to the beauty of the leather and make each piece unique. Some aniline leathers might have an oil or a wax added to give it a “pull-up” effect. These waxes or oils are applied to achieve a leather that is soft, smooth and somewhat shiny. It is important to note that some aniline leathers might be completely unprotected, while others might have light protection added. Whether or not the leather on your furniture is protected or not and to what level affects how the furniture should be cleaned. Aniline leathers are a good choice if you’re looking for a genuine, high-quality leather with a weathered look. Aniline leathers wear beautifully and naturally over time. They can be sensitive to stains, scratches, and sunlight, but the leather also develops character and patina as it ages. Proper care will ensure the longevity of aniline leathers for years to come.
Semi-Aniline Leather
Semi-aniline leather, like the name implies, is very similar to aniline leather. Semi-aniline leather goes through the same processes as aniline leather but is lightly pigmented and finished with a light lacquer. This gentle protective treatment helps protect the leather from mild wear and tear. Other than their light topcoat, semi-aniline leathers are unaltered and will also show any color and texture variance, marks, scars, and differences in the grain that are present in the hide. Semi-aniline pieces are a great in-between choice. They are family-friendly, easy to clean, and can be placed in high-traffic or even commercial areas, but they also have all the benefits of a fully natural leather.
Corrected Leather
Corrected leather is leather that is, you guessed it, “corrected” with dyes to smooth out imperfections, and it is also more heavily protected than aniline and semi-aniline leathers. Corrected leathers frequently have natural marks removed, are more heavily pigmented to ensure color consistency, and are grain-embossed for a more uniform look. Layers of protective treatment are also applied. This leather is much more resistant to heavy wear and tear such as sunlight, spills, and scratches, is family-friendly, and does well in high-traffic and commercial areas, or anywhere where substantial and consistent use is likely. And for those with pets at home, corrected, protected leather is less likely to show wear and scratch marks, though depending on the pet, it’s not a guarantee! The heavily protected surface means that it loses some of the qualities of an aniline or semi-aniline leather, like softness and breathability. However, corrected leather is a good choice if you want a leather that is low-maintenance and easy to care for.
Bonded Leather
Bonded leather is made with re-used, leftover pieces of leather, combined with synthetic material. Since it isn’t a true natural leather, bonded leather does not wear organically over time. It also likely won’t last as long as 100% leather that is high-quality, like the other kinds of leather higher up on the continuum. As long as you’re aware of this, however, bonded leather is cost-effective and can look great. It is often used on pieces that commonly see heavy use and have a high potential for staining and damage, such as dining chairs. For care purposes, bonded leather does not need conditioning and is easy-care – simply wipe the surface with a lightly damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
Artificial Leather
Artificial leather, also known as synthetic leather, vegan or “eco” leather, and by many other names, isn’t actually leather, but it has a spot on this list anyway. This leather substitute, typically made with fabric and synthetic materials, has the same benefits as bonded leather: it’s less expensive than real leather, and can imitate the aesthetic of real leather at a lower cost. However, it also has some of the same downsides in terms of durability. Nevertheless, artificial leather can be a great and economical choice if real leather isn’t your thing.