Leather Furniture Care : Things You Didn't Know You Didn't Know

Leather furniture is sophisticated, durable and easy to clean, making it a top choice for furniture in homes and offices. It’s luxurious look and feel adds warmth and texture to a room like no other. But much like wood furniture, not all leather is created equal. 

As always, we keep it real here at Head Springs Depot. You will only find authentic, high-quality leather furniture when shopping in our warehouse. However, we believe education is important, especially when shopping for timeless furniture to last your family generations. This is why we breakdown the different types of leather furniture for you, as well as some leather care tips for when you do find that perfect pieces for your home. 

7 Different Types of Leather Furniture

1. Full Grain Leather is the purest leather furniture available on the market. Other than hair removal and soaking in a natural dye, there is no additional treatment or processing to the leather in order to maintain the rugged look and texture of the animal hide. Furniture made with leather is going to run on the higher end of the price spectrum. While it may feel tough at first, full-grain leather will soften over time with regular use. 
2. Top Grain Leather is very similar to full-grain leather in its purity and durability but has a more polished look and softer feel due to a buffing process.
3. Split Grain Leather is a bit harder in texture and not as easy to maintain as top and full-grain leather. It is created by removing the top outer layer of the leather and using the remaining hide section for furniture.
4. Nubuck Leather is made by using sanded rawhide from cattle, giving it a soft appearance and suede-like feel. Due to its fragile nature, it is important to apply a waterproof treatment to make the leather last.
5. Bi-Cast Leather is split-grain leather with a coat of color polyurethane, which gives it the appearance of top grain leather without the higher price tag. While it may be less expensive, bi-cast leather is prone to peeling and cracking without the right treatment.
6. Bonded Leather is created when leather scraps from other projects are rolled up using adhesive material. They have the high quality look and smell, however, most pieces of bonded leather furniture contain less than 20% of real leather.
7. Faux Leather is just that… artificial. Man-made leather does not use any animal hides to create faux leather furniture. It can be an affordable, durable and attractive alternative, but the quality of real leather remains unmatched. 

Leather Care Tips

Now that you have learned about the different types of leather furniture available on the market, let’s talk about leather care tips! The key to making your leather furniture maintain its handsome appearance is preventative care. 

1. Dust and Vacuum Weekly - Regularly dusting and vacuuming your leather furniture is important to keep that new look and feel. Caring for top grain cowhide leather can be easier than caring for most fabrics, but accumulating dust can make your furniture look old and faded. To reduce damage and fading, wipe your leather furniture down with a clean, dry cloth and vacuum the crevices on a weekly basis. 
2. Avoid Direct Sunlight - Exposure to sunlight for any lengthy period of time can cause damage to any type of furniture, but leather furniture is especially susceptible to heat damage. To keep your furniture from drying out, avoid putting leather pieces near windows, under skylights or near heating vents. 
   Clean Spills Immediately - Blot the spill as soon as possible using a dry cloth or sponge to absorb as much liquid as possible. For non-water spills, you may need a moist soft cloth or sponge with mild soap and warm water to clean the soiled area, followed by wiping the area with a dry cloth.
3. Only Use Leather Cleaning Products - Never use furniture polishes, oils, ammonia, solvents, bleach, all-purpose cleaning sprays or detergents on leather furniture, as they can be very harmful. It is important to always use cleaners designed specifically for leather furniture, for occasional cleaning and emergency situations. 
4. Regularly Apply a Leather Conditioner - Conditioning once or twice a year will keep your leather from drying out and cracking. Check your manufacturers guide for their recommended conditioner. 
   When cared for properly, leather furniture will keep its beauty for decades. In addition to these general care tips, read your manufacturer’s label and care instructions for more information and recommended cleaning products. 

Ready to add a gorgeous piece of leather furniture to your home? Stop by and shop our variety of high-quality leather furnishings for every home style!