Tips, products & classifications

Different types of leathers have varying characteristics and perform dramatically differently in given situations. Upholstery leathers are given general classifications based on their finish characteristics. The difference between the classifications is blurring due to refinements in tanning processes, but they still act as a general guide. To keep your leather in tip-top shape, this page also provides Leather Care Tips and offers a range leather care maintenance products to look after your leather.

Leather has been used for various purposes for thousands of years and has been over this time refined and developed in the tanning processes to the point where today’s beautiful leathers are an excellent balance between durability and comfort. Furniture upholstery and automotive leathers are produced by different tanners in various different processes to meet the needs of their customers who produce seating and fittings for the end consumer.

Leather Care Tips

How long your furniture keeps its beautiful appearance depends on the care you give it. Below are some leather care tips to assist you in maintaining your leather in good condition.

Do keep your leather as clean and supple as possible with regular use of the recommended Leathercare Maintenance Kit.

Perspiration build-up and body salts are the biggest contributor to colour loss and breakdown in upholstery leather. Therefore it needs to be removed regularly.
Clothing and food dye can transfer into leather and needs to be removed as soon as possible.

DON’T allow pets on your furniture. Their claws (dull or sharp) damage the finish.

DON’T place furniture in direct sun or too near a heat source.

DON’T use any household cleaners, solvents or petroleum products, unspecified or non-recommended products (consult your furniture retailer or manufacturer) and any products recommended for saddles or footwear.

DON’T sit on leather with wet clothing from swimming pools (salt and chlorine).

DON’T allow sharp objects to come in contact with the leather. These can scratch and cut..

Leather Classifications

Aniline Leather

The aniline dyeing process produces magnificent feeling leather in its most natural form. It gives subtle colours which enhance the natural beauty of the different fibre structures in the grain and the various hide marks.

Nubuck Leather

Nubuck leathers have then been further processed to raise fibres on the grain side of the hide to give it a suede effect.

Semi-Aniline Leather

The leather has a light colour and finish applied to the surface which reveals the natural characteristics of the hide to a lesser extent and increases the resistance to wear. This process balances out dye colour irregularities and allows a greater colour range.

Pigmented Leather

The surface of this leather has a pigment applied and a heavier protective coating giving a limitless colour range and exellent wear characteristics. Pigmented leathers are produced in two basic forms. Full Grain – the grain shows natural grain variation and all marks. Corrected Grain – a process where some of the grain layer and most of the natural hide marks are removed. The surface then has a print embossed on it giving a more uniform appearance. As a general rule, the finer leathers are more susceptible to fading and staining and, therefore are more suitable to show and formal situations. The pigmented leathers and their heavier finishes are more durable in heavy traffic situations. This leather is used in virtually all automotive applications.

Leather Care Products

Caring For Your Leather Furniture

Leather is a strong durable surface which will give many years of good service. Today’s modern tanneries apply complex coatings onto the leathers to increase their stain and wear resistance. The concept of good leather care for your furniture is to maintain these coatings for as long as possible. When allowed to build up, grime,dust, body oils and food stains act to breakdown the tannery coatings which accelerate the deterioration of the leather.

Texicote products are specifically formulated to maintain and enhance the durability of leather to keep your leather furniture in excellent condition. Regular use of the kits will effectively remove day to day grime and apply a protective layer on the leather which will help to repel grime, stains and body oils. The unique additives in the kits will also help to reduce u.v. damage with high tech u.v. blockers and resist mould and germ build up with a sophisticated anti-microbial agent.

Keep your leather furniture in good shape with the Berkowitz range of leather care products by ‘Texicote’, available at all our stores.

Leather Characteristics

Distinctive Characteristics of Fine Leather

Animals are subject to a wide variety of factors in their natural environment which leave indelible marks on their hides. As these marks have healed on the animal, they do not affect the durability of the leather, but rather enhance its individuality.

Fabric Care Tips

Proper care is essential for maintaining fabrics in the best possible condition and ensuring your furniture looks great for longer.

Fabric Stain Removal

Alcoholic beverages

After the moisture has been blotted up, dab at the stain with a clean cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol. Then blot repeatedly with liquid detergent mixed with cool water. Blot dry with a towel. Dab again with clear cool water and blot dry.

Blood

After the moisture has been blotted up, dab at the stain with a clean cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol. Then blot repeatedly with liquid detergent mixed with cool water. Blot dry with a towel. Dab again with clear cool water and blot dry.

Chewing gum

Rub an ice cube over the gum to harden it, then scrape off the excess with a dull knife. To remove what’s left, use dry cleaning fluid.

Chocolate (and other soft candy)

This is a combination greasy/non-greasy stain. Scrape excess away, then go over the spot with cool water mixed with a liquid detergent. Blot thoroughly and then clean with dry cleaning fluid.

Coffee and tea

Sponge with warm water. Apply warm glycerine. Leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

Cosmetics

Sponge with warm water. Apply warm glycerine. Leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

Fruit and fruit juices

After excess is blotted up or scraped away, blot the spot with cool water. If a stain remains, add liquid detergent and a drop of vinegar to the water. Dab the spot with this mixture and blot until there’s no trace of a stain. Then go over the area lightly with clear water to remove traces of vinegar.

Grease (including hair grease and oil)

Scrape away excess if necessary and then dab repeatedly at the stain with dry cleaning fluid. If any stain remains, go over the area with a lukewarm mixture of liquid detergent and water. Always make sure you use a clean portion so you don’t put the stain back in the fabric. Last, go over the area with a clean cloth moistened with cool clear water.

Ice cream

Scrape away excess and apply cool water mixed with liquid detergent, blotting frequently with a dry cloth so as not to saturate the fabric. Let dry and then go over any remaining stain with dry cleaning fluid. Blot dry.

Ink

Moisten with warm glycerine. Leave for 10 minutes. Apply liquid detergent and brush lightly. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

Iodine

Rub with cut lemon before sponging with warm water. Apply small quantity of detergent with clean cloth. Blot stain then remove soapy residue with cloth wrung out in warm water and white vinegar solution (1/3 vinegar to 2/3 water).

Milk and vomit

Blot or scrape away the excess, then take a clean soft cloth and blot. Apply clear cool water to the area, blotting frequently. Then blot with a detergent solution to which you’ve added a small amount of ammonia. Blot dry and wait a few minutes. Go over the area with dry cleaning fluid, blot dry. Finally, blot the area lightly with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.

Soft drinks, sweets and syrups

Sponge with water, add warm glycerine and work into stain. Flush out with water and dry.

Shoe polish

Apply liquid paraffin to loosen the stain, then sponge with dry cleaning fluid.

Urine

It is especially important to treat this stain right away, before the urine dries. Otherwise, the urine may react with the fabric dyes and cause permanent discolouration. First, dab at the stain with a solution of white vinegar and water and blot dry. Then apply a mixture of liquid detergent and cool water, blotting frequently and with a dry cloth to avoid saturating the fabric. Finally, dab the spot with clear cool water and blot thoroughly.

Water spots

Blot thoroughly and then dampen the entire spot with clear white vinegar. Wait a few minutes. When the area is dry, moisten it again with clear water, blotting with a dry cloth after every application of the damp cloth. If the fabric has a pile, brush in the direction of the pile when it is dry.

Cleaning Guide

Spot cleaning

Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Test on hidden area to ensure fabric and colour are not removed. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Use of soap or detergent with water should be approached with caution since overzealous rinsing to remove soap residue may result in over-wetting, water marking and possible wetting of substructure (this may create other stains or damage products).

Our spot cleaning advice is offered in good faith and should not be considered as a guarantee that all stains may be removed. For severe stains please consult a professional upholstery cleaning company.

1. For non oil-based stains

Use warm water and non toilet soaps which do not contain optical brighteners (consider Velvet soap, Lux Flakes, Softly). Mix a small amount of soap and warm water solution and apply to the stain, rubbing gently. Blot dry with a clean towel. Apply cool water (preferably rain or distilled water) and blot dry again. Then with a hair dryer working out from the centre of the stain, dry quickly to prevent rings forming. It is generally preferable to clean whole panels of fabric in this way rather than trying to spot clean specific areas.

2. For oil-based stains

Following the same basic guidelines as above, apply a proprietary brand solvent based cleaner and try to clean generally in panels rather than spot cleaning specific areas. A helpful industry ‘secret’ is for spot removal of oil based biro marks by the application of a conventional hair spray. Professional cleaning frequency is determined by the furniture use, your own maintenance, upkeep and environmental conditions. As a good ‘rule of thumb’ overall cleaning is recommended every 12 months for most family room lounges.

Dining Table Care

To sustain the quality and beauty of your hardwood dining table for a long and healthy life please follow our simple steps:

Keep it Clean

A buildup of dust over time can cause scratching to the wood if not removed. As a result, make sure to dust often with a damp cloth (dry dusting can also lead to scratches in the woods finish). Simply use a soft cloth or an old white t-shirt that is dampened with warm water.

When spillages occur, try to clean them up immediately. Dust / crumbs / water can all lead to permanent stains if not wiped away quickly.

Prevent anything hot from touching the Wood.

Hot mugs, dishes straight out the oven or pots off the stove should never be placed directly onto the table without heat protection. Not protecting the heat from the table can result in scorching and scratches. Tablecloths should not be solely relied upon as the heat will seek through.

Position the table out of direct sunlight

Excessive exposure to sunlight will cause your dining table to warp over time. Make sure to position your dining table in an area that is free from direct sunlight as well as well as an area that does not allow for dramatic temperature swings as this can damage the woods splitting’s.

Finally, it is important to remember that natural timber and veneer finishes are not a fault in the timber. This is purely natural and represent veins of the trees.

Furniture Care

Keep your furniture looking better for longer with a good quality furniture care protection kit.

Caring for your furniture is important. Watch our furniture care tips & information to keep your furniture looking better for longer.

Furniture care video tips

Scroll down for more furniture care information

Tips, Products & Classifications

Leather Care

Fabric Care

Dining Tables