The following guidance will help you prolong the life of your upholstery:
IMPORTANT NOTE
Please take time to read the important information below and refer to it for future reference.
Real leather is a natural product: it breathes, is warm and has its own individual characteristics which is the natural charm and beauty of all leather products. Due to this, nature has had a profound effect on its growth and ambience, displaying traces of its past such as brand marks, creases, healed scars, growth marks, veins with areas of differing fibre densities and thickness, insect bites and pore structure. These hallmarks in no way detract from the wearing qualities of the leather - they are signs that discerning owners look for and cherish when buying leather - and with the passing of time it will develop its own sheen of age with a patina unique to your own individual pieces of furniture, enhancing its beauty.
Consequently, no two hides are the same. It takes approximately eight hides to produce one suite of furniture and dyes and finishes will penetrate to varying degrees in different parts of the hide. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a perfect colour match and finish and swatch samples should be regarded as no more than a colour reference guide. However, we do make every effort to achieve uniformity and colour match when selecting hides for your unique furniture.
Leather today, with its modern tanning processes and consumer requirements, has a soft glovelike feel and will maintain its suppleness during its lifetime. However, after a short time of use, wrinkles and creases will form naturally in the leather giving it an aged, lived-in look; this is normal and untrue to the design of the product, to give a soft and inviting appeal which is the inherent quality of good furniture.
“Puddling” of the leather will occur after a short time of use. This is a result of leather stretch and is quite normal. It is generally accepted that the best of leathers will stretch by 10% with use and this is not a fault but a feature of natural Cow hides. If this is unacceptable to you then you should consider buying a vinyl or fabric covering for your chosen sofa which is cheaper and does not carry the natural characteristics of natural leathers required by a discerning buyer of natural coverings.
A regular dressing practice is advisable for your furniture. This involves ‘plumping’ of all fibre-filled cushions on a weekly basis. If seat cushions are reversible, we recommend that you turn frequently to avoid premature wear; this will prolong the life of all your fillings and cushions. We recommend you avoid sitting on the front edge of the seat cushions.
We recommend that you dust your sofa weekly with a clean, soft cloth and carry out a six-monthly clean with a lukewarm mild solution of a pure PH-neutral soaping agent with a damp cloth, (please ensure that you do not over-wet the cloth or leather). Failure to carry out any cleaning on a regular basis may result in discolouration or permanent damage to your product. Always attend to spills immediately. We do not recommend the use of chemical cleaners. If you choose to use stain removal products, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines; avoid applying to one spot directly as it may mark or cause fading. We recommend trying water first. We do not recommend polishes, creams, detergents, solvents, varnishes, white spirit, or stain removers be used as they may damage your product beyond repair. In the event of accidents or severe soiling, seek professional help.
It is advisable to avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight and/or other heat sources as this can lead to fading or discolouration. Where necessary, close curtains or blinds to protect the furniture. All fabrics and leathers can be snagged or scratched, therefore please exercise due care, and avoid allowing jewellery, buckles rivets or pets from coming into contact with your furniture. Ensure that chemicals such as hair products, sun cream or body lotions do not make contact with the fabric or leather. Note that some medication can cause damage and we recommend additional protection is placed where skin is in direct contact with the sofa. This product has been produced with design and comfort in mind, to ensure that you can get many years of use from it. Your furniture has been through rigorous testing criteria to ensure we cover all eventualities, and we trust that you will find this information helpful. Your upholstery should be a continued source of pride and satisfaction to you.
