How often should I clean and condition my leather furniture?
This is mainly determined by the type you have (see below), but believe it or not, most manufacturers recommend cleaning and conditioning your leather as often as every 6 months. Cleaning and conditioning often will keep it soft and lustrous and give it the best chance to repel stains.
What Kind of Leather do I have?
There are now 4 basic types of leather furniture each with different sub-categories: Aniline or natural leather, Protected or painted leather and Nubuck & Suede leathers, and Bycast leather.
Aniline leather is generally considered to be the most beautiful and natural looking leather. True aniline leather is dyed and left uncoated to give it a natural look and a smooth soft feel. It is also often the most expensive as the hides used to make it must be of the highest quality. Analine leather is susceptible to staining and watermarking and can be difficult to maintain in a high use situation.
Protected leather is often less expensive and easier to maintain than aniline leather. Protected leather pieces are colored or painted at the factory to cover blemishes in the hides and can range greatly in color. The color coating provides some protection against stains but can wear off over time. Luckily, we have the ability to re-apply that color.
Nubuck leather is made by roughing up the naturally smooth leather surface, creating a soft feathery surface. Suede leather is very similar to Nubuck but is made with the soft inside of the hide facing out. These types of leather are very difficult to protect and clean so be careful where you put them!
Bycast leather is a relatively new type of leather on the furniture market. It is made by splitting the leather hide and coating the bottom half with a dyed polyurethane finish. It tends to have a semi-glossy, lustrous look and darker color. Most leather products are not geared towards this type of leather and should not be use to treat it. If you are interested in learning more about the care and treatment of this type of leather, give us a call and we will be happy to talk with you.
What does it cost to have my leather professionally cleaned and conditioned?
The cost to have your leather furniture cleaned is very reasonable and far less than it would be to go out and purchase a new piece of furniture. Call today and one of our specialists will provide you with a price quote. You’ll be surprised at how reasonable it is.
I spilled something on my leather couch! How do I clean it up?
It truly depends on the type of spill and the type of leather. Call us and we will be happy to help point you in the right direction.
My child used a pen knife and cut deep scratches in the leather. Can you fix that?
We sure can! Scratches on most types of leather can be filled in and re-colored by our leather technicians. If the cut has gone all the way through the leather we can reinforce it but there will always be a weak point where the cut was.
Can my leather be cleaned and repaired in my home?
We will be happy to clean & condition your leather in your home for you. If there are repairs that need to be done however, the furniture will need to come into our plant. Most repairs and restorative techniques require several steps and can take 2-4 weeks to complete. We offer free pick-up and delivery with all leather restoration orders.
Upholstery and Furniture FAQs
I would like to get my upholstered sofa cleaned when I have my carpets cleaned. Can you clean it in my home?
About 90% of upholstered furniture can be safely cleaned in the home. The other 10% must be brought into our plant to be dry cleaned. Our technicians will be able to tell you which method is required upon inspection of the furniture.
How much does it cost to clean my chair/loveseat/sofa?
HammondKnoll has three different pricing categories for upholstery. One of our specialists usually needs to inspect the furniture and upholstery before we can determine a final price. Contact us and we can give you a reasonable idea of what to expect as far as pricing.
My puppy urinated on one of my cushions. Can you get the odor out?
We can remove the odor out of the fabric, but if the urine got into the cushion the foam may need to be replaced to remove the odor completely.
Do you replace the foam or repair upholstery?
HammondKnoll does not repair upholstery, but we would be happy to recommend a business in your area that can do that for you.
Should I apply Teflon fabric protection?
Teflon can be applied to most fabrics to make them much more resistant to spills and tracked-in soils. It is especially helpful for homes with children or pets and for those who entertain frequently.
Do I have to move the furniture before you arrive?
Our technicians will move as much furniture as one man can move and what is too heavy they can clean around. We do offer upon request the option to have an additional technician available to move heavy and/or large pieces of furniture. Please advise us of this when you call in.
