Leather

Real leather is a natural product and, as with wood, no two pieces of leather are exactly the same. The appearance and qualities of the leather also vary according to the animal from which it came and the surface treatment applied during manufacture. ILVA makes every effort to place the most obvious irregularities on the back of the furniture. It is important to be clear about what you are looking for and, together with ILVA, find the leather which suits your requirements and budget. Irregularities (which are not defects, but entirely natural) might be:

• Healed scratches and gashes from branches, thorns or barbed wire: if the wound is fully healed, the strength of the leather is not impaired.

• Wrinkles which may differ from animal to animal. These wrinkles are slightly noticeable in the leather and help to accentuate the fact that it is a natural product.

• There can be other marks in leather that is due to the natural lifestyle of the animal and the conditions in which it is raised. These enhance the unique appeal of your furniture these irregularities are characteristic of real leather and are what set it apart from man-made or synthetic alternatives.

All leather should be protected from sunlight and strong heat. The furniture should be placed a good distance away from south-facing windows, wood burners, radiators etc.

The care that your leather furniture requires will vary depending on the surface finish and the use received. Leather furniture which is subject to a lot of wear and tear, dirt accumulation, drying out etc. requires more frequent care than normal.

Grease is as damaging to leather as it is to fabric. Avoid spillages or crumbs of greasy food, snacks etc.

Types of Leather
Leather with surface protection is reasonably light resistant and is easy to look after. It withstands most effects of use. Surface-treated leather should be cleaned with a soft cloth or a cloth dampened in demineralised water. Soapy water can be used for thorough cleaning but the use of detergents is to be avoided. Avoid rubbing the leather too harshly. Any soap residue should be wiped away with a dry cloth. Specialised products can also be used which help to keep the leather supple. Ask ILVA about the best way to take care of your leather.

It is not normally necessary to apply further oil to the leather. Creams and oils should be used with great care, following the instructions. If the surface is very worn, oils and creams may leave nasty blemishes.

Leather with partial surface protection – semi-aniline – has almost the same qualities, but is a little more supple and a little less light resistant. Care and cleaning as above.

Leather without surface protection – pure aniline leather – is lovely and soft and supple. Light resistance is not high, which is why it should be protected from direct light. It absorbs moisture and grease from hair etc. easily and often darkens with use. It should be cared for in the same way as for surface-treated leather, but standard leather creams and oils should not be used. Soap flakes should not be used on some types – ask ILVA. There are aftercare products available which may improve the performance characteristics of some aniline types – ask ILVA.

Split suede it is the underside of the skin. It should be cleaned and cared for as for aniline leather.
Never use detergents, liquid soap, solvents or other cleaning products on leather.

ByCast leather is sold under various trade names such as Royal, Creta and Oleosa. ByCast is the split (underside), which is embossed with an artificial grain and then surface treated with a polyurethane coating. This type of leather has the same level of sitting comfort as Sky (plastic), as the product cannot breathe, it can feel a little damp to sit on. It has reasonable wear resistance and dirt repellence. A suitable cream should be used to keep the surface supple. This should be applied 2 to 4 times a year, depending on the air humidity, sunlight and temperature. Daily cleaning with a dry cloth.

ByCast is sensitive to heat, take care with embers etc. If the surface is damaged, right down to the leather, this is sometimes repairable. Ask about repair products at ILVA.