LEATHERCARE: GARMENTS
LEATHERCARE: LEATHER ACCESSORIES
LEATHERCARE: FURNITURE

CARE for LEATHER GARMENTS

Preventative Maintenence
We strongly recommend that you apply our Hide House Leather Protector and spray before the first wearing, and periodically (every 1-2 months) with regular wearing, and after exposure to rain or snow. We also suggest wearing a scarf to protect the collar area from perspiration and natural body oils. Always test any product you try in an inconspicuous part of the garment first, before spraying all over.
Storing your Garment
Preserve the shape of your garment by using padded or wooden hangers. Never cover your garment in plastic - leather needs air to prevent drying out. Cover with a clean cloth sheet for seasonal storage. To avoid fading, keep your garment out of any direct lighting or sunlight.
Care when Wet
If your leather garment gets wet, remove any heavy items from the pockets and hang the garment on a well-padded hanger. Blot dry and then allow to finish drying at room temperature (do not use a heat source such as hot air vents, radiators, furnaces, etc.). Suede garments, once dry, should be brushed with a Suede brush or terry cloth to raise the pile.
Professional Cleaning
Should only be done when absolutely necessary and only by a leather specialist. Clean all matching pieces together to ensure that colour tones continue to match. In Canada, we recommend Suedemaster Leather Cleaners. To find the professional leather cleaner nearest to you in the southern Ontario area, please call Suedemaster at 1-800-811-5489 or visit their web-site at www.Suedemaster.com. Always apply our protector again after cleaning.

Cleaning your Leather Garment
We recommend that you clean your leather garment with an appropriate product by first determining the type of leather finish. If you're not sure about the type of leather finish see our defintions in the Glossary of Leather Terms.

Napa Leather(also reffered to as Smooth or Semi Anilin Leather)
Protect your napa leather garment by applying Hide House Leather Protector before wearing, being sure to completely cover the collar and cuffs where it comes in contact with oils from your skin. Hold the can 10 to 12 inches away from the garment and spray lightly but thoroughly, being careful not to soak the garment. Let the garment dry completely and spray lightly again. For continuous protection, re-spray every one to two months, depending on frequency of wear.
To remove everyday dirt from smooth leathers use Hide House Leather Lotion to gently clean and remove stain. Always test any cleaning solution on inside areas for colour fastness. Reapply protective spray after each cleaning.
If you have trouble removing ground-in dirt or stains, take your garment to professional leather cleaner as soon as possible.
Aniline Leather (naked leather, with little or no finish on surface)
Protect your aniline leather garment by applying Hide House Leather Protector before wearing, being sure to completely cover the collar and cuffs where it comes in contact with oils from your skin. Hold the can 10 to 12 inches away from the garment and spray lightly but thoroughly, being careful not to soak the garment. Let the garment dry completely and spray lightly again. For continuous protection, re-spray every one to two months, depending on frequency of wear.
Do not use water on naked leathers. Rain spots can be removed by lightly rubbing the area with another part of the garment. Stains are best left to professional leather cleaner.
Nubuc Leather (buffed finish leather)
Protect your Nubuc garment by applying Hide House Leather Protector, being sure to completely cover the collar and cuffs where it comes in contact with oils from your skin. Hold the can 10 to 12 inches away from the garment and spray lightly but thoroughly, being careful not to soak the garment. Let the garment dry completely and spray lightly again. For continuous protection, re-spray every one to two months, depending on frequency of wear.
Clean regularly by using a Hide House Deluxe Suede Brush or a rough terry cloth to keep dust and dirt from penetrating the nap. Always apply protective spray after cleaning.
Suede (sueded finish leathers)
To protect your suede garment, apply our Hide House Leather Protector before wearing, being sure to completely cover the collar and cuffs where it comes in contact with oils from your skin. Hold the can 10 to 12 inches away from the garment and spray lightly but thoroughly, being careful not to soak the garment. Let the garment dry completely and spray lightly again. For continuous protection, spray every one to two months, depending on frequency of wear.
Use a Hide House Suede Brush or a rough terry cloth regularly to keep dust and dirt from penetrating the nap. Reapply the protector spray after cleaning. A professional leather and suede cleaner should clean ground-in dirt or stains.
You can minimize stains by treating them immediately before having your garment professionally cleaned. Stains from alcohol or protein substances like food, milk or blood should be lightly dabbed with a water-dampened cloth to help prevent them from setting. Use a Hide House Suede Brush to gently rub away stronger marks like those from ink. If you get oil or grease on your suede or Nubuc garment, dab the area with a dry, soft, absorbent cloth. Apply powdered white chalk (simple ground-up ordinary blackboard chalk works best) to the stained area and let set (without rubbing) for 24 hours, then gently brush it away with a Hide House Suede Brush or clean terry cloth.

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Care for Leather Accessories

We strongly recommend that you apply our Hide House Leather Protector, before use, then again regularly, depending on weather conditions and amount of use.

NapaLeathergoods (Smooth, Pigmented, Semi Anilin)
Generally these products are easy to care for - just wipe with a damp cloth. Some leathergoods can only be cleaned with a special natural conditioner that contains no wax or silicone, we recommend our Hide House Leather Lotion. Our leather lotion not only cleans smooth leathers but the special formula actually makes leather water and stain resistant while enhancing both the colour and luster of your leathergoods. Salt stains on leather is the most common complaint we receive. It makes all the difference if you wipe down your footwear as soon as you come in. When salt stains do set in, try wiping the leather with diluted vinegar & water, then apply a polish and don't forget to reapply our Leather Protector.
Vegetable-tanned Leathergoods
These types of products require minimal care. Noted for its rich simplicity, vegetable-tanned leather's inherent beauty is enhanced over time, acquiring a remarkable patina as it ages. Natural oils from your hand will add to its supple quality. To remove surface dirt, simply wipe with a clean, damp cloth. It should not be treated with any cleaner or moisturizer.
Shearling Accessories, Slippers and Gloves
Always protect your shearling accessories by applying Hide House Leather Protector before the first wearing, being sure to completely cover the wool parts that may come in contact with oil from your skin. The wool can be spot cleaned using a damp cloth and a gentle laundry detergent designed for fine wools.
Nubuc and Suede Leathergoods
These products should be sprayed regularly to keep dirt from grinding into the leather. Always test any product you try in an inconspicuous area first. You should always protect these leathers as there is no guaranteed safe way to clean them without discolouring. Regular use of a Hide House Suede Brush to gently rub away marks like those from ink, or to brush off surface dirt, is a sure way to keep items looking new.

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CARE for LEATHER FURNITURE

The most durable of all upholstery covers, leather is also the easiest to care for, the key is regular dusting, vacuuming, cleaning and of course, protection.

Heat Sources and Direct Sunlight
Placing your furniture next to strong heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators or in direct sunlight can dry out the natural oils in the leather and cause cracking and stiffening of the leather. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight will eventually fade most natural products and leather is no exception. We recommend that all leather furniture be kept out of direct sunlight to protect against fading.
Sharp Objects
Should a sharp object like a buckle or a knife scratch your furniture, it may be possible to disguise the mark with a felt tip pen of similar color. Test your technique on a swatch or an inconspicuous area first. Surface scratches on pure aniline leathers often can be rubbed away with your hand. Leather repair specialists who have the capabilities to repair damages are readily available in most areas. We recommend Stain Safe of Canada (1800-263-3110) Toronto, Ontario, Canada or Leather Master (1-800-300-2359) in North Carolina, USA.
Aggressive Cleaning and Strong Rubbing
Gently wiping is all that the vast majority of spills require. NEVER use abrasive cleaners, saddle soap, oils, detergents, furniture polish or ammonia on leather. Remember that prolonged, vigorous rubbing or using a coarse colored cloths can also damage the surface.
Dusting
Dust your furniture weekly using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner or a damp clean cloth depending on the type of leather.
Repairs
There are leather experts who specialize in repairing and restoring leather upholstery. We recommend the following: Stain Safe of Canada (1800-263-3110) Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.stainsafe.com or in the USA, Leather Master (1-800-300-2359) North Carolina, www.leathercaremaster.com.
Cleaning and Protecting your Leather Furniture
Spot Cleaning
Always blot any spilled liquids immediately with a clean absorbent cloth or sponge. Most liquids will be initially repelled by leather, but, if left over an extended period, they may be absorbed. Try removing sticky spills with clear lukewarm water - gently wiping with a soft dampened sponge. Clean the entire area where the spill occurred: for example, the entire seat cushion or the entire arm. Dry with a clean towel and allow to air dry. Do not use hair dryers or other artificial heat sources. Always reapply Protector after cleaning.
Regular Cleaning and Protecting
We recommend you fully clean and protect your furniture every 4 to 6 months using an appropriate leather product by first determining the type of leather it is: Aniline, Semi-Aniline or Nubuc:(see below)
Aniline Leather Furniture
(naked, natural, unprotected or unfinished leathers)
Buttery glove-soft texture and rich gem-like colors - aniline dyed leathers are tumbled for up to 12 hours in drums containing transparent dyes. These dyes enhance the subtle textural and color variations of each hide. Through the years, aniline leather will develop a distinctive patina from regular use.
to protect: Leather Protection Cream- apply twice to high use areas to clean:Leather Soft Cleaner (weekly cleaning) to revitalize older leather: Leather Vital(improves the feel of stiff leathers) to remove stains: Leather Strong Cleaner(for heavy soiling - every 4 to 6 months) to remove oils: Leather Degreaser(removes oils on leather - usually from hair and skin)
Semi-Aniline Leather Furniture
(pigmented, finished, protected leathers)
These leathers are first drum dyed in penetrating aniline dyes. Then a thin matching topcoat is applied to even out the color of the hide surface. The topcoat also serves to protect against fading and stains. They retain most of the softness of their aniline dyed cousins because the natural top grain is left intact.
to protect: Leather Protection Cream- apply twice to high use areas to clean: Leather Soft Cleaner(weekly cleaning) to revitalize older leather: Leather Vital(improves the feel of stiff leathers) to remove stains: Leather Strong Cleaner(for heavy soiling - every 4 to 6 months) to remove oils:Leather Degreaser (removes oils on leather - usually from hair and skin)
Nubuc Leather Furniture (sueded finish, buffed finish leathers) These are actually Aniline leathers but the surface has been brushed to create a texture similar to that of velvet. It is often mistaken for suede, but suede is the flesh side of a piece of leather while Nubuc is an effect that is done to the grain side, making it considerably stronger. These are very porous skins and are the hardest to maintain.
to protect: Nubuc Protector- apply twice to high use areas to revitalize: Nubuc Cleaning Cloths(for light soiling - use regularly) to remove stains: Leather Strong Cleaner (for heavy soiling - every 4 to 6 months)