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Interesting facts about furniture leather
For non-experts, it is not easy finding your way through the maze of different leather types: the choice is enormous, and advice in furniture stores is often lacking. It is therefore enormously important to research the merits and disadvantages of different types of leather BEFORE buying a leather sofa.
Your highly individual everyday habits are decisive in the selection of the leather. For example, a large family with young children should tend towards a robust, easy-care pigmented smooth leather. For shared student accommodation with a tighter budget, it would probably best to go for imitation leather. And true leather lovers who like soft, natural leather with a light patina appreciate the soft, open-pore pure aniline, but also know its price and long-term care demands.
Leather is not just leather. Even though the starting material for upholstered furniture is (almost) always cowhide, there are still plenty of different types. Depending on the method used to produce it, different types of leather have different material properties. We will provide you with a brief overview of the leather types most often used for upholstered furniture here:
PIGMENTED SMOOTH LEATHER (the easy-care leather):
90% of all leather furniture is made of pigmented/covered smooth leathers. These are cowhides which have a protective surface thanks to a surface layer of colour (pigmentation) and are therefore easy to care for and very "suitable for everyday use". The colour top coating is applied to conceal the natural character of the animal, such as bites, scratches, branding marks, etc. If the color layer is so thick that the natural appearance of the skin is no longer visible, the typical leather grain is later embossed into the colour layer. However, this (varyingly thick) colour layer also means that the leather feels a little stiffer and only moderately warm. The leather is robust, stains and soiling can be removed very easily. In commercial trade, pigmented leather is also known as "long-life" leather.
SEMI-ANILINE (the "happy medium"):
If the colour layer applied to the smooth leather is just gossamer-thin and the pores (fur follicles) are somewhat visible, then the leather is semi-aniline or slightly pigmented smooth leather. It has a pleasant and soft feel. We call it "the happy medium of furniture leather", because it still has the naturalness and softness of natural leather, but is still protected by a breath of colour and therefore soiling can be removed easily.
PURE ANILINE (the exclusive):
Pure aniline leathers are fully dyed leathers which do not have any surface colour top layer, and are therefore fully open-pored. You can therefore still see the tiny fur follicles, the pores of the skin. Therefore, pure aniline feels wonderfully soft and warm, and is breathable. Only the very best cowhides, which have no damage or natural features such as injury scars or branding marks, are used for pure aniline. This exclusivity means that pure aniline leathers are also expensive. Unfortunately, due to its naturalness, it is also very sensitive and prone to stains, signs of wear and "grease shine". This leather type is not particularly recommendable for families with children and pets, because signs of everyday use will quickly develop. Colour-intensive pure aniline leather tends to fade, so direct sunlight should be avoided and UV protection is recommended. Regular cleaning and care is particularly important for ensuring that this sensitive leather retains its beauty long-term.
SUMMARY: The finest leather quality is (unfortunately) the most sensitive. Exclusive pure aniline needs to be treated more carefully and more often than pigmented leather. Semi-aniline is the "happy medium" of furniture leather.
What should be taken into consideration when buying leather furniture:
Unfortunately, we experience again and again that the advice given when purchasing leather furniture in the furniture store is not satisfactory. Many salespeople only have a limited knowledge of leather and so therefore cannot offer ideal customer-specific recommendations. Therefore, before deciding, ask yourself the following questions:
• Will the sofa be used regularly or only as a showpiece?
• Will food and drink be consumed on the sofa?
• Will it be placed in direct sunlight or protected from light?
• Will children, and even pets, be using it?
• Are you ready to provide regular, preventive treatment, or will you only react in the event of an acute stain?
• Ask about the manufacturer of the furniture: Renowned German manufacturers (e.g. ROLF BENZ, COR Koinor, W.Schillig, etc.) also normally use high-quality leather. Upholstered furniture that has been manufactured in the Far East often feature "visually beautified" but inferior leather qualities.
• As a buyer, you have the right to information on the exact leather designation, the type of leather (in accordance with DIN 68871) and other properties. Find all of this legally prescribed information BEFORE you buy, to ensure that the leather you buy is the type that you actually want. Information such as "Leather of price class 1" is definitely of no help whatsoever.
• Check before buying that truly ALL of the surfaces on the sofa are of real leather - in the lower price range there are also models where only the seat covers, for example are of real leather; other parts are covered with imitation leather.
• Not least, the choice of the type of leather is a matter of personal taste and budget.
PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEATHER CARE:
Is perfect for the maintenance cleaning and care for natural aniline leather. Do not use on pigmented leather, nubuck or suede leather.
Perfect for the regular maintenance cleaning and care of semi-aniline and pigmented leather.
Contents: 2 x 200 ml, sponge, cloth
Perfect for the regular maintenance cleaning and care of natural aniline leathers.
contents: 2 x 200 ml, sponge, cloth
Perfect for the regular cleaning and care of saddle leather (waxed leather).
contents: 2 x 200 ml, sponge, cloth
Perfect for the regular maintenance cleaning and care of leathers with vintage-effect.
contents: 2 x 200 ml, sponge, cloth
This high quality care set is perfect for the care of pigmented leathers/artificial leathers in cars.
content: 2 x 200 ml, sponge, 2 cloths
The Cleaning Glove is suitable to remove dust regularly from your leather, textile and artificial leather upholstery.
KERALUX® Cleaning Cloth N for nubuck and suede leather can avoid sticky and greasy material condition, takes off dust, refreshes the colour of the leather and removes light stains and rings.
Perfect for the mild cleaning of all leathers. Removes fresh water-based stains.
Perfect for the mild cleaning of leather with vintage-effect. Removes fresh water-based stains.
For antibacterial, germ-reducing and virus-inhibiting cleaning. It ensures hygienic cleanliness and supports the protection from contagion of diseases.
Ideal for thorough cleaning of furniture or accessories made of vegan leather alternatives (plastic-based). The detergent foam of the cleaner cleans the vegan leather gently but thoroughly from older, water-soluble soiling from daily use.
content: 250 ml, sponge
Specially for the gentle cleaning of vegetable tanned leathers.
KERALUX® Cleaning Set Active Plus is perfectly suited for the intensive cleaning of pigmented leather
furniture. Oily and greasy stains such as colour transfer, e. g. from jeans, are particularly easy to remove with
this product.
Is perfectly suited for the intensive cleaning of pigmented leather furniture. Oily and greasy stains such as colour transfer, e. g. from jeans, are particularly easy to remove with this product.
Especially for the thorough removal of stubborn jeans stains on leather. Suitable for pigmented smooth leather.
Suitable for removing oily and greasy stains from all types of leathers (even pure
aniline, nubuck or suede leather). Do not use on imitation or artificial leather.
content: 200 ml
Roll-on Pen Remover for fresh stains (not older than three days) from pens, ink and lipstick for use on slightly pigmented and pigmented smooth leather. Do not use on pure aniline, nubuck/suede or on imitation leather and synthetic leather.
Stain remover for older pen, lipstick and ink stains for use on smooth leather (pure aniline, semi-aniline, pigmented leather). Do not use on nubuck/suede leather, artificial and synthetic leather.
content: 50 ml, 1 cloth
Stain remover for older pen, lipstick and ink stains for use on nubuck & suede leather.
content: 45 ml, 1 cloth, small KERALUX® Cleaning Cloth
Suitable for all washable furs (sheepskin, german heathskin).
Care and protection for natural aniline leather. It spends the leather useful moisture, nutrition and impregnation. The additional sun protection helps to prevent early fading. Perfect care after cleaning of aniline leather.
content: 250 ml
After cleaning, the KERALUX® Care Lotion S refattens and moisturizes the leather to maintain its special waxy grip.
content: 250 ml
Ideal for the care of nubuck and suede leather. Spends moisture, refatting and provides a pleasant grip.
Content: 200 ml
Care and maintenance of the soft grip of all types of leather with vintage-effect.
content: 200 ml
The KERALUX® Care Lotion for vegetable tanned leather spends vegetable tanned leather essential moisture and gentle refatting.
content: 250 ml
Intensive care for smooth leathers (do not use on nubuck or suede leather). KERALUX® Leather Balm refattens dried out leather and makes it wonderfully smooth again.
content: 250 ml
Ideal for intensive cleaning & care of steering wheels made of genuine and artificial leather. Hygienic cleanliness and protective care in one set!
Contents: 50 ml Cleaner, 50 ml Care Lotion, brush, cloth
Cleans car leather seats thoroughly, removes greasy and oily stains and colour abrasion from clothing (jeans).
Content: 250 ml
Softness, protection & gloss for older, worn leathers
Content: 100 g
Perfect care and protection for pigmented car leather. It gives the leather after cleaning valuable moisture, gentle refatting and protection.
Content: 250 ml
Cleaning · Care · Protection of leather/artificial leather combinations for cars in one set:
Contents: 200 ml Cleaner, 200 ml Care Lotion, 100 ml Strong Protector, brush, sponge, 2 cloths
The premium KERALUX® Strong Protector contains a special component to give an effective and long-lasting protection for light coloured pigmented leather against early soiling, e. g. colour transfer from dark jeans.
Contents: 200 ml, 2 cloths
The premium CORALUX® Strong Protector contains a special component to give an effective and long-lasting protection for light coloured pigmented car leather against early soiling, e. g. colour transfer from dark jeans.
Contents: 250 ml, 1 cloth
KERALUX® Protection Spray N protects against water, grease, dirt and refreshes the colour.
Use on nubuck, suede and leather with vintage-effect.
KERALUX® Protection Spray N protects against water, grease, dirt, early fading and refreshes the colour.
Use on nubuck, suede and leather with vintage-effect.
The KERALUX® Leather Balm acts towards disturbing squeaking and creaking noises of leather.
The KERALUX® Colour Repair Set P is suitable for small scratches and slightly faded aniline leather. The KERALUX® Colour Lotion P is according to our colour card.
contents: 2 x 250 ml, sponge, cloth, glove
The KERALUX® Colour Repair Set P is suitable for small scratches and slightly faded pigmented leather. We mix the colour according to your leather sample.
contents: 2 x 250 ml, sponge, cloth, glove
The KERALUX® Colour Repair Set A is suitable for small scratches and slightly faded aniline leather. The KERALUX® Colour Lotion A is according to our colour card.
contents: 2 x 250 ml, sponge, cloth, glove
The KERALUX® Colour Repair Set A is suitable for small scratches and slightly faded aniline leather. We mix the colour according to your leather sample.
contents: 2 x 250 ml, sponge, cloth, glove
The KERALUX® Colour Repair Set is suitable for small scratches and slightly faded leather with vintage-effect. The KERALUX® Colour Lotion is according to our colour card.
contents: 2 x 250 ml, sponge, cloth, glove
The KERALUX® Colour Repair Set V is suitable for small scratches and slightly faded leather with vintage-effect. We mix the colour according to your leather sample.
contents: 2 x 250 ml, sponge, cloth, glove
The KERALUX® Colour Repair Set N is suitable for small scratches and slightly faded nubuck & suede leather. We mix the colour according to your leather sample.