Despite how durable and timeless distressed leather furniture can be, its quality, longevity, and ability to stay attractive will depend on how much or how little you care for it. Below are simple things you can do to improve or maintain the quality of your distressed sofa;
- Wipe regularly: even if you are unsure of what treatment to use or you barely find the time to deep cleanse, one quick easy way to care for your distressed sofa is by wiping across it regularly with a dry cloth. It helps you get rid of contaminants or stains on the surface of your sofa and by doing so, you prevent them from getting absorbed through the pores of your furniture.
- Keep food and dirt away: remember that your distressed leather is very porous. Do not keep dirty materials or properties close to or on your distressed sofa. In addition, be sure to keep food and drinks away as well. When these particles accumulate on the surface of your leather, they could cause friction which with time will cause your distressed leather to crack and start ripping apart. Extremely hot food could scald your sofa and fizzy or surgary drinks would leave marks and a sticky film if left to dry.
- Do not clean too frequently: this is the tricky part, while regular cleaning is good, it could also be bad if you clean too often. Here’s why; constant cleaning would rid the leather of its oils and natural moisture which play an essential role in ensuring that your distressed leather stays pliable.
- Dab off stains and spills immediately: as soon as your sofa gets spilled over, use a dry or damp soft cloth to dab lightly. Applying a little or too much pressure would make contaminants sink deeper into your distressed sofa.
- Condition your distressed leather: as earlier mentioned, if you clean your distressed sofa too often it will lose its essential oils making it susceptible to cracks and breakage thereby not allowing your distressed sofa to age as it should. Be sure to use leather conditioners to polish the surface of your sofa from time to time. Leather conditioners have lubricating and moisturizing properties which stabilize the moisture level of your furniture.
- Sunscreen your sofa: excessive exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun also has a damaging effect on your distressed sofa so be sure to keep your sofa away from the sun. Do not position it in corners or places where direct sunlight can reach.
Distressed Leather Hides
Whether the leather is dyed by hand or by a machine, you will never find two hides that are just like each other. Every distressed leather has its natural signature which can not be duplicated. Distressed hides have movements across their design like the natural movements on a piece of granite. Brown distressed leather is the most popular kind of distressed leather. It is mostly used in homes and offices.
Styles of Distressing Distressing by Hand and Tanning
If you desire the originality of perfectly hand-applied distressed leather, it comes with more cost but the result you get would be luxurious and appealing furniture that would make your interior an admirable one. The process of hand distressing after the building of new leather furniture. Tanning is another way you can customize your leather furniture and give it an effective distressed design. Before this process begins, you would need to decide on how much or how little the quantity of color to be applied would be and on the precise places you would like to have the distressing done. In this process, hand wiping is done by craftsmen who are skilled. The essence of hand wiping is for the creation of the right color balance for every style. Tannery takes much more time because each step requires drying before the next. The hides of distressed leather lighten with every scratch and tannery is a great way of bringing back color. The result of each distressing style differs with each color and movement pattern.
How To Distress Leather Bags
Traditionally, you would have to preserve your leather bag for decades or more to have it distressed but no one has that much time to waste. Besides, you do not really want to wait that long when you can achieve it with a few simple steps.
- Application of rubbing alcohol: with the use of a toothbrush or spray bottle, mist lightly on your piece of leather with rubbing alcohol. You don’t have to get your leather soaked in alcohol, just a light application would give you the desired look after drying off.
- Stretch to distress: after the application of rubbing alcohol, the next step would be for you to beat it up. This can be achieved by squeezing, crumpling, kneading, and creasing your leather. The essence of this is the production of lines and folds which is one characteristic feature of distressed leather.
- Application of sandpaper: with the use of fine-graded sandpaper you can get the worn-out look you want your leather to have. The focus of this step should be on particular areas of your leather that would have the most distressed look.
- Conditioning: after sandpapering, you can decide to give your leather a gentle touch by applying conditioner.
- Brushing: brush thoroughly on the specific sandpapered areas using a wire or heavily bristled brush.
- Dust and dirt: toss your leather in dry dusty dirt or better still, a sandbox for a more effective worn-out and aged look.
Note that you don’t necessarily have to indulge in every step listed above. After every application, phase or stage, make sure you take note of your progress. This would determine if you should repeat the first step or move further along to the next. It is also important to note that this process is not ideal for bags made with genuine leather. This is because this kind of leather was not made to age with time and would not give you the desired look you want. The only kind of leather suitable for this process is the premium grand type which usually ages to give the vintage distressed look. Lastly, be careful with every application. While you are trying to make your leather look distressed, you do not want to ruin it. Steps that involve sandpapering, brushing, and squeezing should be performed delicately.
Care and Maintenance of Distressed Leather
Maintaining distressed leather is simple, easy, and tool-free. In most instances, the same rules for leather generally are applicable with distressed leather but the directions and care descriptions below are particularly referring to how you can take care of your distressed leather;
- Keep your distressed leather away from water: distressed leather is the original full-grain leather type. This means that they have poor resistance to water and moisture. They lack a protective coating that prevents the absorption of liquids. Therefore keeping your distressed leather is very crucial. Accidental spills of water or other liquids should be gently mopped off immediately. Be mindful while you get rid of the moisture, if you apply too much pressure, you would most likely be helping the liquid sink deeper into the leather. Dry with natural air. Do not use heat to dry off moisture.
- Apply Leather care products on your distressed leather: wax moisturizes your distressed leather and prevents it free from fizzing. For your distressed leather, you don’t necessarily need Leather conditioners. The use of leather wax is sufficient enough for care. In the absence or unavailability of leather wax, you can get your distressed leather moisturized using mink oil which is an ideal alternative. The chemical composition of leather conditioners makes them unsuitable for use on distressed leathers. While caring for your distressed leather it is best to do it naturally, after all, it is full grain leather.
- Water and newspapers: with ordinary leather, it might be ideal, but with distressed leathers, using water to clean and stuff with newspapers is not advisable. Use only soft damp rags to wipe off dirt and grime.
- Do not allow your distress to be directly exposed to sunlight.
Distressed Leather Shoes
The distressed-looking western boots are trendy and one of the most sought-after styles of shoe. Manufacturers all around the globe who take care of the demand have their respective distressed leather shoe lines.
Pros
- These western boots have a unique appealing appearance. It is one of those things you put on and feel attractive and confident wherever you go.
- You can wear your distressed leather boots for any occasion; rodeos, parties, or any social gathering at all.
- Your distressed leather boots are the toughest for any weather. They have great durability and would only age well even when used on the toughest soils.
- These boots are very stylish and tailored for comfort.
Cons
- The first drawback is the price tag of this lovely fit. The value offered by this high-quality leather does not come cheap
- Most of the time, your distressed boot decides what you wear and how you wear it. Sure, they can be used for nearly any gathering but most of the time you have to consider how what you intend to water would fit right with your boot. The unconventional look this shoe offers would make you stand out of any gathering instead of blending in.
Leather Leathers have a super dynamic feature. They have a way of creating and highlighting the focal point of any room. Its timeless appeal is the reason why it fits right into any decor.
The Process of Making Leather
The process of making leather is long, time-consuming, and complicated. This procedure can be dated back to ancient civilizations and has remained the same since then. Below are the steps involved in the manufacturing of leather;
Phase One: Preparation of the animal skin (hide)
- The curing and soaking process: to prevent souring and degeneration of the animal skin, different methods of preservation are applied. These methods include freezing, use of chemical preservatives, salting, and chilling. The preservative process is known as curing. Afterward, the animal’s skin is soaked in water. The soaking process gets rid of excess dirt or salt and works well to rehydrate or moisten the hide.
- The liming and fleshing process: liming is achieved by the use of alkali. Primarily, this process is for the removal of unwanted and excess hair from the hide to get a pelt. The pelt is the skin left after the removal of hairs. It is passed through a machine which gets rid of remaining tissues on the fleshy part.
- The Neutralization process: after the removal of hair and remaining tissues, the pelt is de-limed or neutralized to prevent deformation. Afterward, enzymes are applied in order to reduce the pelt and give it a flat shape. The last part of this step involves the preparation of the pelt for tanning by the application of salt solutions or weak acids.
Phase Two: Tanning
- The first step in this phase is to decide on a particular tanning process. The decision of whether to use mineral, vegetable, or oil comes in. Afterward, the pelt and tanning agent is contained in a drum. After tanning, the pelt is referred to as leather.
- The shaving and splitting process: the leather is split into two layers by the use of a machine. One layer has no grain surface and the other has a grain surface. The layer with the grain surface is shaved with a different machine. This shaving process determines the thickness or thinness of leather.
- The Neutralization and dyeing process: involves the removal of initial chemical applications. Additionally, more tanning materials may be applied depending on the effect or style that is to be created. Colors may be applied as well.
- The process of lubrication and drying: oil is applied to the leather to ensure a flexible and soft texture. Without this fatliquoring process, the leather will become hardened as it dries. After lubrication, the leather is pulled and lengthened while the grain surface is smoothened. The drying process requires the leather to have a water content of less than twenty percent.
Phase Three: Finishing
- The process of staking and dry drumming: the leather is passed through a machine that kneads the leather until desired softness and flexibility are obtained. Later on, it is extensively tumbled on a rotating drum.
- The buffing and brushing process: the leather is brushed to rid it of accumulated dust or dirt. The buffing process is necessary for reducing the thickness and ensuring a softer texture of the leather.
- The finishing process: this is the final step. In the process, grain surface defects are removed, the level of color and gloss required is ensured and a protective water-resistant layer or surface is added.
Differences Between Real Leather and Fake Leather The major distinction between false or faux leather and real leather is that false or faux leather is produced from polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), in other words, it is not natural. Real leather, on the other hand, is produced from the skin or hides of animals. However, a lot of other factors and features determine their differences;
- Physical characteristics
- Environmental impact
- Durability
Physical characteristics
- Features of Real leather
- The natural surface and visual texture of real leather are not completely even, uniform, or perfect. This is because it is processed from real animal hide.
- When you touch real leather it does not feel absolutely smooth, and like real skin, the surface wrinkles and stretches when it is pressed.
- The smell is another signature. Real leather doesn’t smell like a mixture of chemicals, it has an organic, natural, and skin-scented leathery smell.
- Features of Fake or Faux leather
- The surface of faux leather has an evenly-textured pattern.
- The smoothness is uniform which is a feature of something processed with a machine and it feels cool when you touch it.
- Unlike real leather, faux leather does not fold or wrinkle when pressed. It maintains a flawless look and shapes even when pressure is mounted on it.
- The smell of real leather can hardly be mimicked or faked. This is where manufacturers fail when trying to recreate real leather. Fake leather smells like plastics and chemicals.
Environmental Impact
- Eco-friendliness of Real Leather
Real leather is less damaging to the environment especially when tanned naturally and sourced from ranches that are sustainable.
- Eco-friendliness of faux/ fake leather
The chemicals used while processing faux leather have a negative effect on the environment. Durability
- Quality of Real leather
- It is no news that real leather has a kind of durability that doubles over time and age. Its endurance is long-term. It looks better with the passing years.
- Normally, under conditions that cause water and tear, a product will lose its value, right? With real leather, the reverse is the case. The harsh conditions cause it to harden and form a patina which turns out to be an admirable characteristic.
- Real leather is easy to clean and care for.
- Quality of Faux/ fake leather
- Even with great care and maintenance, faux leather does not have half the durability of real leather.
- The wear and tear conditions that would cause real leather to develop a patina would cause faux leather to lose value.
- Faux leather can be maintained to retain durability and stay protected against water and tear but this does not guarantee equal long-lasting property with real leather.
- Faux leather can be cared for and maintained using a smooth cloth soaked in warm water and soap to clean the exterior and dry it off with a soft fabric still.
Care and Maintenance of Leather Whether you are constantly trying to keep your leather brand new or trying to distress it to get the vintage look, these simple steps would ensure you achieve just what you want.
- Keep your leather dry: the moment your leather comes in contact with moisture, carefully blot or mop it immediately. Make sure you do not rub-dry as this could spread the moisture and allow it to sink into the leather. While mopping off excess moisture, fill the inside of your leather with paper, this will help absorb water from the inside. Afterward, allow your leather to air-dry, do not use sources that produce heat for drying.
- Conditioning: while keeping your leather dry is ideal, you should consider applying conditioner if it gets too dry. Be sure to make use of a high-quality leather conditioner.
- Clean frequently: wipe the surface of your leather as often as necessary and avoid touching it with oil-stained hands. Make use of a damp soft cloth to sweep clean briskly. Avoid clogging the pores of your leather.
- Store properly when not in use: your preferred leather storage unit should be away from dust, sunlight, heat, and humidity. Storing your leather in a fabric box or bag is the most ideal option, and while storing your leather is advised, you should avoid dumping it for a long time as it will make your leather prone to growing molds. Once in a while, air out your leather.
Leather care products: here are a few products you can use while maintaining good care of your leather;
- Canvas wax
- Leather conditioner
- Leather cleaner
Making Your Leather Water-resistant It is important to note and remember that real leather is porous and can not totally have resistance to water. However, steps can be taken to prevent the complete absorption of water into your leather. There are different options available for achieving this;
- Use of beeswax cream
- Use of protectant spray
- Use of commercial leather waterproofing products
Amongst the options listed above, beeswax is the most commonly used. It is made naturally and has been discovered to be effective in the process of waterproofing leather. Interestingly, beeswax can be made right from the comfort of your home with the use of common accessible supplies or ingredients, and simple doable steps. What you need: supplies needed for the making of waterproofing beeswax in your home include;
- Virgin olive oil
- Beeswax
- Cold water
- Jar (preferably glass)
- Buffing cloth
Procedure: after making sure that everything you need is available, you can begin the process with these simple steps;
- Get the measurements right: a cup of virgin oil, a medium-sized pan of cold water, and two ounces of beeswax.
- Mix the ingredients: to properly combine ingredients, pour the required quantity of virgin olive oil into the glass jar, crack the beeswax into pieces and place the jar into the medium-sized pan containing cold water.
- Heat up the mixture: place the medium-sized pan over a stove and heat. Stir continuously until the beeswax has melted and dissolved completely into the virgin olive oil.
- Leave to cool: after the mixture has been thoroughly mixed, remove the pan from heat, and take out the jar carefully. Resume continuous stirring until the mixture cools off and hardens(this usually takes roughly ten to twenty minutes).
- Apply mixture: before overall and direct application, make sure you do a spot test on a hidden part of your leather. Afterward, gently coat your leather with your homemade leather water-proofing mixture.
Types of Leather There are four main types of leather;
- The Full grain leather
- Top grain leather
- Genuine or corrected grain leather
- Bonded leather
Full Grain Leather Amongst all types of leather, this is the highest grade you would find. It has a full thick skin that is neither buffed nor sanded for the removal of wrinkles and natural marks. It is called a full-grain because all parts of it remain the same without wearing off. Instead, it develops an incrustation on the natural surface. Full-grain leathers have great fiber strength, high ability to transmit moisture and air, and durability. However, the characteristic full thickness of this leather type makes it the toughest for manufacturers to work with. Top Grain Leather When it comes to quality, this is second to full-grain leather. The top grain leather is the most commonly used for the manufacture of high-end leather products. It has a split layer that lacks the wrinkles and imperfections of full-grain leather. The removal of these flaws makes it weigh less and therefore easy for manufacturers to work with. The surface is sanded and finished-coated. The essence of finish coating the top grain leather is to ensure it does not develop the patina that occurs naturally with full-grain leather. This process drastically reduces the ability of the leather to transmit air and moisture but it ensures that stains do not sink into the leather unlike with the full-grain. Genuine or corrected grain leather Whether you call it genuine leather or a corrected grain, you are simply referring to the same type of leather. This is regarded as the third grade of leather. This is manufactured with the use of remnant layers after the top layers have been scraped off. The surface is polished with artificial grain and dyed or stained with spray. The dye or stain used gives the leather a more natural appearance. Bonded leather This is the lowest grade of leather. This is made by grinding leftover leather scraps to pulp and bonding the ground scraps with latex or polyurethane on a sheet of fiber. This is the easiest and cheapest kind of leather to be produced. The polishing and finishing have been refined in such a way that it mimics higher grades of leather. The leather itself in combination with the chemicals used in the manufacturing process determines the durability, texture, and smell. Leather Sofas Types of Leather used for furniture include;
- Pigmented Leather
- Aniline Leather
- Semi-aniline Leather
Pigmented Leather When it comes to the durability of furniture leather, this is top tier. The majority of furniture is upholstered with this type of leather The polymer surface coating contains pigment and provides the durability of this leather. The dynamics of modern technology have made room for easy finish coating which can be plain, embossed, or printed. The essence of finish coating is to increase resistance to fading, soiling, and scuffing. Aniline Leather This is the most natural type of leather used on furniture. The animal hide on the surface is quite conspicuous. Instead of using pigment or polymer coatings, this leather is colored only with dye. To protect it against soiling and spillage, aniline leather is only coated lightly with a non-pigment coating. Development of patina and natural marks is common with this leather and it is available in various shades. It is very susceptible to the effects of the ultraviolet rays of the sun and its porosity makes the absorption of liquids and other contaminants quick and easy. Hence, proper care and maintenance are required to retain quality and ensure fine aging. Semi-aniline Leather Semi-aniline leather shares the characteristic natural texture with aniline leather but has more durability and sustainability. This is because semi-aniline is lightly coated with pigment which keeps the color the same and prevents it from fading while also offering a degree of extra protection. Characteristics of leather furniture
- Leather furniture has been in use for hundreds of years. Combination with soft cushioning and supportive frames make leather furniture super comfortable for use.
- Real leathers are long-lasting and with care, they age just fine.
- They are not waterproof but natuthey tend to resistingstingg water for a short period. This is why dabbing off liquids immediately after they are spilled is important. If left for a long time, water can seep through.
Maintenance of Leather Furniture Generally, Leather has recognizable durability. With the right care and products, you can make your leather furniture last even longer. It is advised that you clean your dark-colored leather furniture every year and once every six months for your light-colored leather furniture. Cleaning supplies include:
- Leather conditioner
- Baking soda
- A mild dish soap
- Microfiber cloth
- Vacuum cleaner
Here are the steps to follow using the supplies listed above;
- Use the vacuum cleaner to get rid of crumbs hidden within your leather furniture. If the cushions are removable, take them off and vacuum the insides as well.
- To get rid of stains, get your microfiber cloth and have it dipped into mild soap. Wring it and mop or dab lightly in a circular motion. Be careful not to apply too much pressure.
- Afterward, use a dry cloth to get rid of the excess moisture on your furniture. Remember, leather isn’t water-resistant.
- While making use of your leather cleaner, ensure that you do not apply it directly to your furniture as this could leave marks. Spray or apply it on a cloth and wipe lightly.
- Just like with water, after the use of leather cleaners to wipe off stains, ensure that you use a dry cloth to dab off the excess cleaner.
- Use conditioners to moisturize. Leather conditioners keep your furniture looking brand new, and smelling nice. After conditioning, allow your furniture to air-dry for about an hour.
Leather Furniture Purchase Guide The basic things you need to know or consider before purchasing any kind of leather at all includes;
- Leather quality
- Frame Construction
- Support or suspension
- Seat cushions
- Dealers or stores
- Manufacturer
Leather Quality Note that not all hides or skin of beef animals are suitable for processing into leather or leather upholstery. The best kinds are determined by animal type and place of origin. Frame Construction The wood frame of your leather is composed of hardwood plywood or solid hardwood that is kiln-dried. The essence of kiln drying is for the removal of excess moisture contained in wood. Good Leather is reinforced with corner blocks that are stapled, screwed, or glued into the frame. Manufacturer Most Furniture companies are recognized for producing good quality leather furniture. You should take a survey and make your choice from the best options available. Dealers or stores Where do you intend on purchasing your leather? Is your supplier trustworthy? You should take into careful consideration the site or store for the purchase of your leather. Suspension and support Good leather furniture has quality suspensions attached to the frame. The suspension system is the weight carrier. Combination with good seat cushions is what contributes to the durability of your furniture. Seat cushions HR foam cushions are the best kind of seat cushions available. They are wrapped in dacron and inserted into the furniture to make provision for extra comfort. The most common leathers or hides are gotten from equine animals, pigs, buffalo, goats, cattle, sheep, hogs, seals, and alligators. For so many years, long before modern civilization, leathers have been employed for the manufacture of comfortable and quality home furniture, bags, and footwear. As the years go by, they are being used for making so many other items including gloves, wristwatches, sports equipment, and other accessories. Furthermore, the use of leather has been classified into different categories; education, culture, and traditions, war and defense, clothing and body items, industry, sports and entertainment, storage, and services. This goes to show the great versatility and flexibility to which this natural element is attributed