Saddle soap for leather furniture

Saddle Soap Dangers Leather Cleaning

Saddle soap is made in many different ways depending on the manufacturer, but the important factor with saddle soap is the Lye content, Lye is highly soluble in water producing caustic solutions.

Lye has many meanings and names, sodium hydroxide is one of them, caustic soda is another, its main characteristics is a solid white compound and it’s highly caustic. Just the words highly caustic should be enough to put you off using this on your beautiful leather jackets, furniture, car interior or handbags, these items require more specialist products to clean and care for leather.

Sodium hydroxide is used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents and as a drain cleaner. This alkali is deliquescent and readily absorbs moisture, moisture is what is needed in your leather items to keep them nice soft and supple. Without this they will dry up, crack, split and deteriorate much faster than using products produced for these applications.

Saddle soap and similar soft soaps are strong alkaline base with a pH of 10 or above. When treated regularly with saddle soap, leather will gradually change from its normally state to alkaline. This pH change will cause the leather to harden, darken, and weaken its structure.

The thick, fatty lather of saddle soap is difficult to rinse completely from crevices and folds, causing all types of problems and issues, turning to a horrible crusty white base and difficult to remove from such fine leather as found on leather jackets and handbags.

An accumulation of dried saddle soap in grain structure areas will cause the leather to deteriorate even faster, due to the growth of mould / mold, the accumulation of gritty dirt, and the changes in the pH.

Prior to the commercial product of today’s saddles soaps, when all saddle soaps were handmade some added pumpkin to create an orange coloured substance; others used dyes for different colours of leathers. These old remedies often included items such as beeswax, soap shavings, water and a corrosive substance called lye or caustic soda. The latter is still used as a cleaning agent today and as an ingredient in soap making Neatsfoot oil, which we can still buy today, is often a component of saddle soap and interestingly, it was originally derived from the legs and feet of cattle. Nowadays it is usually made from lard and often has soya oil or rapeseed oil added. Mink oil was another rather unsavoury component of saddle soap, derived from the oil stored beneath the skin of the mink.

Leather furniture is also manufactured in a different process to saddle leathers and again, you can’t use saddle soap on leather furniture.

The reason for this difference is saddle leather or belt leathers as some will call it, are a veg tanned process, this process allows them to be tougher and withstand the harsh conditions of outside use. Furniture leathers are manufactured using a chromium chemistry method, the difference is this provides the leather with a soft supple texture and is not as tough as any form of veg tanned leathers. Saddle leathers are normally extremely thick producing a very tough hard leather in any event.

Due to saddle soaps caustic natures this just causes the leather to dry out, imaging using harsh chemicals on your own skin for long periods of time, your skin will dry, crack, split and become infected, this is exactly what will happen to your fine leathers found in today’s cars, on leather furniture, handbags and clothing.

For the correct professional advice contact us for further details, help and guidance on leather care or email us directly [email protected]

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How to Clean Leather Furniture So It Looks Like New

Want to keep your leather goods in pristine shape? Then it is time you learned how to clean leather. You know that a few things are more luxurious than a handsome couch, but not if it is covered in grime and grease stains—blame it on Netflix binges with a bowl of butter popcorn. And if you have kids, well, then you’re probably no stranger to ink stains that decorate your beloved leather chair.

Though it’s usually okay to wear your leather jacket to your favorite Italian restaurants, eating pizza on your fancy leather couch is a huge no-no. “Don’t have pizza, don’t have pasta, don’t have any kind of sauce, French or Italian, red sauce, butter sauce—it’s all pigmented and oily,” says Christophe Pourny, a New York–based restoration expert and the author of The Furniture Bible. “And oil is the worst thing you can do for leather,” he adds.

The good news is that routine leather cleaning is not rocket science (it only seems like it), and when done properly the material only looks and feels more comfortable. “The best way to think of leather is that it is like your skin,” says furniture designer Timothy Oulton. “Good-quality aniline leather is a natural, breathable material.” It changes over time, and much like the dermis, it requires regular care. The be

But do you have to dab leather conditioner or apply it in a circular motion? Are you coming on strong with the baking soda, damp cloths, and even rubbing alcohol when restoring the leather sofa to its original splendor? Which leather cleaners or special cleaning solutions are really necessary? Can household products like white vinegar help or hurt with leather care?

Don’t worry: AD answers these questions and breaks down leather cleaning into easy to follow steps and discloses expert tips to bringing those seen-better-days pieces back to life.

What’s the best thing to clean leather with?

Dust leather couches and all other leather furniture with a dry cloth and give them a monthly application of a leather conditioner or similar leather-cleaning product to keep the material soft and moisturized. It’ll also help keep cracks, stains and other discoloration from setting in.

If you’re not sure which products—leather conditioner, leather serum and leather cream—are best for your piece of furniture, keep the following in mind. In general, leather conditioner is a kind of regular base treatment that moisturizes leather and keeps it supple deep down, but it’s not a product that you should expect to give your leather a straight-from-the-showroom shine. Leather serum is a product for leather care that’s often used to rejuvenate leather but also contains ingredients that add a protective coat (Though there’s some debate whether it’s truly effective in the long run.) Leather cream is used to achieve a soft shine on the surface of a leather product and often comes with pigments to restore an item’s original color. This product is often used on leather shoes and boots, for example.

What is a natural way to clean leather?

Darker stains, like those seemingly impossible-to-remove ink stains from a pen, are another story. Pourny says that “a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol can do the trick.” But if you’re not careful, you can make the stain worse: Be sure you apply the rubbing alcohol directly on the stain spot, preferably using a small, circular motion so the alcohol doesn’t spread the stain onto more of the leather.

You can also use a mix of equal parts white vinegar and warm water to make sure your leather items are in tip-top shape. This solution is especially great when it comes to wiping away grime from decorative leather pillows.

What household products can you use to clean leather?

Most leather cleaning methods require household products, along with a few specialty leather-cleaning items. Depending on the leather surfaces, follow these steps to banish stains.

1. Gather materials

Saddle soap
Water
Leather conditioner
Leather cream
Soft cloth (like a microfiber cloth)
Rubbing alcohol
Cotton swabs

2. Start with soap and water

To tackle light, mild stains, dip a clean, damp washcloth in soapy, warm water and use it to wipe away the stain on your leather. You may need a specialty soap. “Specific leather soaps exist, [they’re] usually called saddle soaps,” Pourny says.

3. Dry the leather thoroughly

Don’t leave wet spots as you clean leather furniture.

Photo: MirageC

Once you’ve finished leather cleaning, you have to make sure you’re not leaving too much surface moisture. “Carefully dry the leather with another clean, dry cloth to avoid any mildew,” Pourny notes. For best results, leave the spot undisturbed overnight.

4. Apply leather conditioner or cream

Remoisturize the material by applying the leather conditioner or cream with a clean cloth. Let it sink in, then buff to a shine. If you’re wondering if leather conditioner actually works—it does! Think of it as the food (the veggies and whole grains, even) for the leather of your couch—nourishing and maintaining its overall health. Try Leather Honey leather conditioner as it penetrates deep into the material to restore and also works as a water-repellent for unexpected spills.

Use leather cream as well—it typically comes in colors, which help restore the look and luster of different colors of leather. But because the color of the cream in the tin doesn’t always exactly match the color of the leather, you should test a new cream on a small, inconspicuous area then wait to see how the affected area looks to make sure it’s the cream you want to use on the rest of your leather upholstery (or leather jacket, leather shoes, or any leather items, really).

What should you not clean leather with?

Unlike the leather material used in handbags or shoes, furniture is actually more delicate and less protected against staining from water and other liquids. If it pours, keep it away from your leather furniture. “Avoid everything that is very wet, and I’m talking water, anything water-based, and anything too oily,” Pourny says. “Use the driest, driest products. You spread it over leather, you don’t pour it.” This includes mink oil on your couch or office chair. “It’s something that people commonly use for leather, but it’s greasy, it’s bad, it’s almost like silicone,” he continues. “Leather creams and shoe polish have drying agents so they don’t leave a greasy residue or go too deep into the leather and create stains. Mink oil is reserved for bridle leather and really tough leather.”

More Tips on How to Care for Leather

Now that you know how to clean leather like a pro, here are a few more tips on how to care for leather furniture so that it lasts a lifetime.

How to treat distressed leather

To treat specific distressed areas, find a treatment made for your type of leather. Pourny, for example, sells an Old World–inspired leather serum and cream, which can be applied with a cloth to soften the leather and smooth scratches, while Oulton recommends Leather Masters, which is good for most leathers (except nubuck) and protects against everyday soiling.

Regardless of what you use, a light hand is always a good idea. Find an inconspicuous area to dab a new leather cleaner. “Less is more when applying any product to leather,” Pourny says. “Test a small area first. For colored leather, be extra careful and know that any product will most likely darken the leather. ”

Know that some leather is meant to look more lived-in

Aniline-dyed leather furniture, where the dye penetrates the entire material, is not only durable, it’s actually meant to look lived-in, Oulton says. “Rather than covering and sealing the surface with a colored coating, we work dyes and waxes into the leather by hand. As a result, we feel like the furniture wears in and not out. It’s very easy to live with, and it develops a rich patina over time.”

Lay out furniture in a way that protects the leather

“In most cases, it is ambient conditions that will lead to the cracking of leather—extreme temperatures and lack of moisture,” Oulton says. “Placing a sofa right under your air-conditioning or next to a radiator or in front of a roaring fire is going to dry out the leather.” Sunlight can also have this effect, Pourney adds, so avoid putting furniture right next to a window or glass door, or hang light-blocking curtains.

Keep pets off leather furniture

Cats, and sometimes dogs, will use leather as a (very expensive) scratching post, so teach them to stay off the sofa. “I think this is the biggest cause of damage we hear of from customers calling the studio,” Pourny says.

If the leather gets cut or torn, turn to a professional for help. Don’t run the risk of damaging the leather further by trying to fix it—cleaning leather is a DIY job, but repairing it is not. “For large cuts, we recommend contacting a professional who can mix color and texture by applying heat, and make repairs to the leather,” Pourny continues.

Take leather items to a leather care expert—not a dry cleaner

If none of the above work, go to a respected shoe repair shop or leather care expert for help. “Even if it’s a bit controversial, avoid bringing your [piece] to your local cleaner, even if they advertise suede and leather care,” Pourny says. “I do not know anybody that had great luck with them, and the damage will be irreversible.”

Soap for cleaning furniture and upholstery Avel Cuir, 200

DUSSELDORF

8 804 333 99 65

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Brand: Avel

Article: 4001

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French saddle soap cleaner for leather furniture, car upholstery and other leather products. Cleanses and moisturizes the material, opens the pores, preparing for further processing, restores natural softness and elasticity. Regular use of soap to clean furniture prevents cracks and keeps leather products clean. Read more…

Product name: Avel Savon Cuir Nettoyant Regeneerat

Code: 4001

Country Manufacturer: France

Weight: 0.281

volume: 200 ml 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000.000 , resin

Length: 9 cm.

Width: 9 cm.

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More about this product

Test furniture cleaning soap on a hidden area of leather before use. If positive, continue
Soak a sponge with soap and dampen with water to lather.
Wipe the surface of the product
Soak the sponge in warm water if it gets dirty
Repeat until skin is completely clean
Remove any remaining foam with a clean damp cloth or sponge.

Product name: Avel Savon Cuir Nettoyant Regenerant

Code: 4001

Country of origin: France

Weight: 0.281

Volume: 200

Ingredients: glycerin, preservative, resins

Length: 90see

Width: 9 cm.

Height: 6 cm.

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How to clean a leather sofa

January 30, 2017

Leather furniture is a great option for your home. It takes some knowledge and a few specific tools to make furniture look like new. Whether you've come across pencil marks left by kids, a guest spilled wine, the inevitable scuffs from everyday use, learn how to clean a leather sofa.

Vacuum the sofa

Before attempting to remove any stain from a leather sofa, you first need to remove dust and debris from the surface. Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to clean your sofa. Try to get deep into the cracks to remove all the crumbs. If dust is your only concern, use a feather duster to clean the surface of the sofa.
Before using any cleaning solutions, make sure that any crumbs or dust particles are completely removed from the surface of the leather sofa. If rubbed into the skin, they can create even deeper stains.

Choose a cleaning solution

Choose a cleaning solution specifically for leather, or you can make your own solution from a mixture of water and white vinegar. If you bought a leather cleaner, avoid detergents, solvents, and any cleaners that contain ammonia, bleach, or sodium lauryl sulfate, as these can damage and dry out the leather.

Apply the solution to the stain

Test the cleaning solution on a hidden part of the sofa before applying it to a visible area. If the product does not cause damage or discoloration, apply it to the stain with a microfiber cloth. Wipe lightly to avoid spreading the stain, rinse and wring out excess water from the fabric.
If your leather sofa has any mold or mildew stains, simply fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water, spray the mixture onto the area, quickly rub the stain before the leather gets too wet.

Treat stubborn stains

If your leather sofa suffers from more stubborn stains, you may need a different cleaning solution. Try a saddle soap or leather cleaning solution with natural beeswax as an ingredient. Avoid petroleum products, which can strip your sofa of natural oils and cause cracking and drying of the leather.
If you are still unable to remove the stain, do not continue rubbing the leather as this may cause more damage than the original stain. If possible, turn the pillow over to hide the stain. You should definitely consult with a professional.

Dry the sofa

After removing stains from the sofa, it is important to dry the material.