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Leather Information by Leathercraft
Is the leather Top Grain?
- Yes, only top-grain leather is used on furniture made by Leathercraft. Top grain is the natural top surface of the hide which provides the most beauty and durability. Top grain has the densest cell structure, creating the leather's tensile strength.
- Bonded leather, Eco/Recycled/Performance/Faux leather, Bi-cast leather, Vinyl and Split leather which is the slice taken from the back of the Top-Grain, are never used on furniture made by Leathercraft as these products are not suitable for use with high quality made leather furniture.
Is the furniture covered entirely in leather?
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Yes, all furniture made by Leathercraft is covered entirely with top grain leather.
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Many items are sold by other manufacturers as leather match or leather plus, which are leather and vinyl/split/bonded/bi-cast combinations. Leathercraft does not offer leather match or leather plus as these are not suitable for quality made furniture.
How is the leather surface protected?
- All Leathercraft leathers have some protection to resist stains provided by the tannery. Some leathers have additional protection provided by the tannery to resist scratches and fading from sunlight. No additional protection or conditioning is required as the leathers are tanned with this protection.
- Many other leather manufacturers do not protect their leathers.
What is the quality of the leather?
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All Leathercraft furniture is covered in "Premium Select" top-grain leather. This is the best quality of leather offered by the tanneries.
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Each leather hide is carefully inspected upon its arrival from the tannery to ensure accurate size and perfection.
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Furniture leather patterns are carefully cut to precise measurements to ensure a beautiful fit when upholstered onto the furniture.
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Special and durable thread is used when hand stitching the pattern by skilled experts.
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All quality details that go into making premium quality furniture are utilized by leather furniture artisans at Leathercraft, no matter how small of a detail it is. An example of one quality detail is that skive is always incorporated on cushion welting. This makes the feel of the welt to be consistently smooth. This picture depicts welts without skive and with skive being utilized.
Why are there different grades or costs of leather?
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In a world of manmade materials, real leather is a natural product like gemstones, exotic woods or any other natural material. Hides vary in beauty and integrity. All manner of influences can affect their look and texture - genetics, living environment and handling of the hide. Over its life, every hide acquires a personality. The inevitable accumulation of wrinkles and stretch marks, run-ins with barbed wire, healed scars, encounters with insects, thorns and branding irons leave "beauty" marks. All of these events combine to give each genuine hide a distinctive character and are not considered imperfections or flaws. The fewer markings on the hide, the rarer it is to acquire. Therefore, there is less supply and a higher cost.
- The cooler climates of Northern Europe, in conjunction with the animals being raised in pens or pastures, produce hides with the least amount of markings. These are considered premium hides therefore cost more to acquire.
- The hotter climate, with the greatest extremes, in conjunction with the animals being raised on an open range, produce hides that are more weathered and contain scars and insect bites that must be lightly sanded or buffed off before color can be applied.
- There is a greater quantity of cattle produced on the open ranges of the world, creating a greater supply. Therefore, these hides are less costly.
- South America, Australian and North African hides contain the greatest number of imperfections and are the least costly.
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The cost of leather is determined by the origin of the animal and by supply and demand; not by where the hides are tanned, i.e.: the majority of tanneries use South American hides.
What guarantees are applicable to the furniture?
- Leathercraft Inc. warranties their furniture for a lifetime to the original residential purchaser to be free from defects in tailoring, frame and spring construction. Additionally, all Aniline Plus leathers, cushions and manual recliner/sleeper mechanisms are warrantied against defects for 3 years. Under this warranty Leathercraft will repair or replace any manufacturers defect that occurs under normal residential use.
Leather Cleaning and Care
Leather in your home
Leather seating needs little or no care under normal household conditions. Leather is by far the strongest upholstery material used in furniture. Its toughness comes from an intricate network of natural fibers within the cow hide. Leathercraft Inc. does not recommend using any aftermarket leather cleaner or conditioner on their leather furniture.
Keep your leather beautiful
- REMOVE DUST - Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove any accumulation of dust.
- WIPE UP SPILLS - Blot spilled liquids immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. Most liquids will be initially repelled by leather, but, if left standing over an extended period, they may be absorbed. Cleaning is recommended by using clean or distilled water. Unflavored club soda is a good alternative. Rinse out a natural sponge or cotton cloth in the water and lightly dab the affected area to blot up any residue. Rinse and dab again until you have lightly flushed out the area. Be careful not to soak the leather or you may create another, larger, stain. Don't rub! Lightly dab or blot the surface - the stain should come out with a gentle, continuous action. Clean the entire area where the spill occurred: for example, the entire seat cushion or the entire arm. If necessary, add mild soap suds (non-acidic Neutrogena Soap is best for pure aniline leathers). With a natural sponge or cotton cloth, remove excess moisture, and allow to air dry. Do not use hair dryers or artificial heat sources. Over the years, this leather may develop a character and sheen of its own from body oils and use, returning many pleasant memories. Dust regularly, no other cleaning is recommended.
Guidelines for living with leather furniture
All quality home furnishings are subject to degradation from the following environmental or mechanical conditions. Leather is no exception, but it actually performs much better than most cloth upholstery and even wood finishes.
- HEAT SOURCES AND DIRECT SUNLIGHT - Placing your furniture next to strong heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators or in direct sunlight can dry out the natural oils in the leather and cause cracking and stiffening of the leather. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight will eventually fade most natural products and leather is no exception.
- SHARP OBJECTS - Leather is difficult to scratch. However, should your furniture be scratched by a sharp object like a buckle or a toy, it is usually possible to disguise the mark with a felt tip pen of a similar color. Test your technique on a swatch or a inconspicuous area first. Art stores carry a wide range of pen colors. Surface scratches on pure aniline leathers often can be rubbed away with the heal of your hand and oils in your skin. Leather repair specialists who have the capabilities to repair damages are readily available in most areas.
- AGGRESSIVE CLEANERS AND STRONG RUBBING - Gentle wiping is all that the vast majority of spills require. NEVER use abrasive cleaners, saddle soap, oils, detergents, furniture polish, ammonia or colored coarse cloths, etc. and remember that prolonged, vigorous rubbing can damage the surface.
Contact Leather Furniture USA at 800-603-7133 with any questions www.LeatherFurniture-USA.com
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