Monday, September 29, 2014

Learn about the different kinds of leather

When considering adding to your leather collection, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. What type of leather is best suited to your needs? To assist in some of the research, Fibrenew franchising is showing you the pros and cons of the three main types of leather.

Aniline Leather
Aniline leather is considered the most natural looking leather. Some people refer to it as “naked leather” because of how natural it looks. It is known to be very soft and comfortable. A lot of people enjoy aniline leather because it preserves each marking it receives, making each piece completely unique. While this type of leather can be very visually pleasing, it is a material that is easily strained. If you have a busy family or high traffic in your home, this is a type of leather you may want to avoid.

Semi-Aniline Leather
The main difference between semi-aniline and aniline leather is the light protective coat semi-aniline receives. This protective coat is useful because it makes the material more resistant to strain and stains, which helps it to last longer. The color in semi-aniline leather is also more consistent than in aniline leather. The downside to this type of leather is the protective coat leads to less uniqueness; the leather does not retain markings as well with the protective coat.

Pigmented/Protected Leather
The most durable type of leather available, pigmented leather is covered with a polymer surface coating that contains pigments. This coating gives the leather more resistance to scratching, scuffing or fading. Pigmented leather does not have the unique qualities of other types of leather, as the sealant prevents marks from staying on the material. Pigmented leather is an excellent choice for busy families who have high traffic in their homes. Pigmented leather is easy to maintain and makes for an excellent couch or lounge chair material.

As you can see, there are good and bad aspects to every type of leather available. Being informed about which kind works best for your lifestyle is important when purchasing leather furniture. Happy shopping!


Thursday, September 25, 2014

3 Main Reasons Why Leather Furniture Should be Maintained

 Cleaning your leather products can seem unnecessary when you already have a busy schedule. Who wants to spend time wiping down their sofa when they could be doing something fun?

While it’s pretty normal to want to avoid cleaning, there are some important benefits that come from regular leather cleaning. We’ve broken down the top three for you in hopes that it will inspire you to keep cleaning!

Lasting pigmentation: The color and overall look of your leather is bound to be better when it’s been subjected to regular cleanings. It doesn’t need to be anything intense; just wiping down your leather products with a damp cloth on a weekly basis can make a world of difference!

Durability: Caring properly for your leather goods will lead to stronger leather, which will last longer over time. Having to replace a leather sofa or chair can be tedious; regular cleaning and upkeep will keep your fabric strong for many years. And don’t forget, Fibrenew professional leather repair can fix any tough fabric issues you may encounter!

Comfort: Sitting on cracked, aged leather is simply not as comfortable as lounging on a pristine fabric. Basic maintenance, such as wiping down your leather, keeping it out of the sun and using a good leather protector, will help keep your leather in excellent shape. You’ll never be worried about company disliking your sofa!

Keeping your leather in great shape isn’t very hard; a little time and effort is all that is necessary! Fibrenew is here to offer tips as well as assistance with difficult maintenance. 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Car and Motorcycle Leather Seat Repair

You may notice that, over time, your soft leather car or motorcycle seats become dry or faded. Many people attribute this to wear and tear, but it is actually caused by heat and light from the sun. Because the leather in your vehicle is likely to be exposed to a lot of sunlight and heat in parking lots, vehicle manufacturers use leather that is highly resistant to sun damage in their seats.

Most car seats are made from fully-finished leather, and it tends to hold up a lot longer in the sun than other types of leather. But, even the strongest of leathers will be damaged by heat and sunlight over time, so it’s a good idea to clean and protect your seats 6-8 times a year to boost their resistance to damage.

You can also try using window shields in a car or covers on a bike to keep some of the light and heat off your leather if you park in the sun for extended periods of time.

It is also a good idea to seek out parking spots in the shade instead of in direct sunlight.

How to fix dried out, faded leather

You can have a leather professional re-dye faded leather for a reasonable cost.  But, once the natural oils found in leather are gone, they’re gone for good.  Leather repair professionals can do a number of things to make it look better, but there is no way to truly restore it to its previous condition.  That’s why preventative maintenance is so important!