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LEATHER CARE & CLEANING TIPS
Fine leather is soft and luxurious making it an ideal choice for furniture. With the right care, leather improves with age, providing many years of use. Even the best leather is subject to damage with improper care.
Different types of leather (see below) require different care and maintenance products. If you are uncertain about the type of leather you have, check with your sales representative or contact the store where you purchased the item. As a general rule of thumb, pretest all of the care products in a hidden area to make sure they are compatible with the leather.
How to Care for your Leather Furniture
* Avoid using or placing sharp objects on leather eurniture. Leather is very durable, but not accident or damage proof.
* Place your furniture a minimum of two feet from radiators and other heat sources.
* Even direct furniture will fade your leather furniture. Some leathers, such as full and semi-aniline, will fade over time as a natural course of aging regardless of exposure to sunlifgt.
* Air pollution such as cigar or cigarette smoke and cooking fumes can cause leather to fade or change color.
* Vacum or dust your leather furniture often to avoid a buildup of dust and other airborne particles that may harm your furniture.
* Clean leather with Guardsman Leather Cleaner, preferably once a month if the furniture is used daily, but at least four times a year. Don't rub! Sponge gently until all grime and stains are absorbed.
* Treat leather with Guardsman Protector/Conditioner after each cleaning, to retain its softness and appearance.
* Blot spills up immediately. Use Guardsman Leather Cleaner to remove the spill. Please note: Many common household cleaning products can cause severe damage and costly repairs, and improper cleaning may void your Furniture Protection Plan.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Pretest all of the care products in a hidden area to make sure they are compatible with the leather.
2. Water-based spills and stains such as coffee, ketchup, milk, etc., may require Guardsman Leather Cleaner. Please refer to the instructions on the Leather Cleaner bottle.
3. For oil-based spills and stains such as popcorn grease, salad dressing or other non-water-soluble spills, wipe the leather clean with a clean, dry cloth. Allow the remainder of the stain to dissipate into the leather over a 24-hour period. Do not use Leather Cleaner, Leather Protector/Conditioner, water or soap on oil-based stains.
4. Never use saddle soaps, oils, all purpose cleaners or solvents. Use of these products could damage the finish. Modern tanning techniques do not require such products. Most spills will blot up easily with a dry cloth or paper towel.
LEATHER TYPES
* NUBUCK (BUFFED) Process of raising fibers on grain-side of hide to give a nap effect by buffing.
* NAKED/FULL-ANILINE- Leather that has been dyed with aniline, a transparent dye which permeates the entire hide. However, there is no pigment (pain) or finish put on pure aniline-dyed leather to correct or hide imperfections. Best suited for light use.
* SEMI-ANILINE - Leather that has been dyed with aniline, a transparent dye which permeates the entire hide. However, there is either a clear lacquer or slightly pigmented finish applied to improve resistance to wear and light. Slightly more durable than full-aniline.
* PIGMENTED- Hides that are aniline-dyed, then treated with a heavy pigment (paint) and top coating. Ideal for heavy use or active families.
* CORRECTED, Pigmented & Embossed - Pigmented leather that has been totally buffed of any imperfections, then embossed with an artificial grain to improve the appearance.
* SPLIT - The bottom layer of the hide, which has been separated from the top grain. Split hides are generally weaker than top grain leather and may be used in less expensive upholstered furniture applications. Split hides are not recommended for heavy use.
* SUEDE - Process of raising fibers of the flesh-side of hide to give a nap effect by buffing.
* TANNING -A technical process that converts raw hides into a non-perishable material called leather.
GUARDSMAN LEATHER CARE PRODUCTS
Guardsman Leather Cleaner provides an efficient but gentle cleaning of full-aniline, semi-aniline and pigmented leathers. It safely cleans without leaving a residue or water rings. This mild treatment helps prevent the leather from getting too dirty, and can be used frequently without harming the leather. Regular use removes dirt and body oil build-up, that over time, can cause serious damage to leather. Guardsman Leather Cleaner is a water-based solution of neutral substances. After each cleaning, be sure to apply Guardsman Leather Protector/Conditioner.
Guardsman Leather Protector/Conditioner helps prevent spills from penetrating the leather by creating an invisible barrier over the surface. An application of the Guardsman Leather Protector/Conditioner on new leather is an important first step because it helps maintain the fat balance in the leather. Do not use on nubuck or suede.
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