Leather Care & Cleaning

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 enjoyable use. Even the best leather, however, is subject to damage. That's why Guardsman provides a leather care program, a total care and maintenance system for your leather.

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.

To maintain the rich, natural look of your leather furniture, we offer the following general recommendations: General Leather Care Tips � Avoid using or placing sharp objects on leather goods. Leather is very durable, but not accident or damage proof.

� Place your furniture a minimum of two feet from radiators and other heat sources.

� Protect your leather furniture from direct and even indirect sunlight. Some leathers, such as full and semi-aniline, will fade over time.

� Avoid air pollution such as cigar or cigarette smoke and cooking fumes, which can cause leather to fade or change color.

� Keep leather free from dust by dusting with a cloth (such as the Guardsman Dust Cloth), preferably once a week.

� Clean leather with Guardsman Leather Cleaner, preferably once a month if the furniture is used daily. Minimally, this needs to be done four times a year. Don't rub! Sponge gently until all grime and stains are absorbed.

� Treat leather with Guardsman Leather Protector/Conditioner after each cleaning, to retain its softness and attractive 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.

1 Leather Types � Nubuck (buffed) � Process of raising fibers on the grain-side of a 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 (paint) 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 the 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. The Guardsman Leather Protector/Conditioner helps the leather retain its suppleness and beauty. Do not use on nubuck or suede.

2 Leather Cleaning Instructions 1. Pretest all of the care products in a hidden area to make sure that they are compatible with the leather.

2. Water-based spills and stains such as coffee, ketchup, milk, etc. may require the 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 for 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.

5. If these efforts do not produce satisfactory results, and if the stain or damage is covered by one of our Furniture Protection Plans, please contact a Guardsman Customer Service Representative at 1-800-253-3957. You must report your claim within five (5) days of the date the stain or damage occurred.

Guardsman FurniturePro News and Press Releases

This article has been read 2039 times.

Would you like to own a Guardsman FurniturePro Franchise?

For more information about becoming a Guardsman FurniturePro Franchise owner, including a franchise overview, start-up costs, fees, training and more, please visit our Guardsman FurniturePro Franchise Information page.