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 weather 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!

Products like baby wipes contain chemicals that can cause the pigment in your leather to peel and crack, completely ruining the finish of your leather products. Nobody likes their leather to look worn down and old! Protect your leather by avoiding products like baby wipes that contain high levels of chemicals.

For general leather upkeep, there are some basic things you can do to ensure your leather products stay in top quality shape.
• Wiping leather down with a damp cloth can re-hydrate the leather and prevent the material from drying out, which eventually leads to cracks.
• Positioning your leather furniture away from any radiators can protect it from heat damage.
• Avoiding direct sunlight keeps your furniture from fading.

Following these simple tips and avoiding harmful chemical cleaning products will help keep your leather in tip-top shape. And don’t forget, Fibrenew is always available for any leather repairs you may need!

The leather jacket: Since the days of James Dean and beyond, the leather jacket has become a fashion staple. Whether it is in traditional black or assorted bright colors, the leather jacket is a fashionable way to keep warm and make a statement.

Phone/iPad Cases: Leather for phones is a blossoming trend; on Pinterest, tutorials for how to make your own can be found. Since the growth of the smart phone, cases have become more of a fashion statement than a necessity. A quality leather case provides protection for the phone as well as a classic statement of good taste for the owner.

Briefcases: Staying organized at work is something many people struggle with and a briefcase can be an excellent option for keeping things in order to and from the office. Many of the more stylish briefcases are made with genuine leather, giving them a professional and high class feel.

Journals: Leather journals are hardly a new product, but lately there has been a huge revival. Writers can be seen scribbling down ideas for the next great story and artists are often spotted sketching in large leather-covered books. The leather journal is a great way to keep your private thoughts and ideas stylishly safe.

Pillows: A well-placed throw pillow can brighten up just about any decorating scheme. Leather throw pillows have been spotted everywhere lately. The lasting quality of the leather is great for pillows that are likely to get moved around a lot, and there is something undeniably classic about a rich leather fabric in any room.

Jewelry and watches: From leather cuffs to fringed leather necklaces to unique colored leather watch bands; our favorite material has been popping up in ensembles everywhere lately. Jewelry is a great way to make a subtle statement with leather. A lot of leather jewelry items can be made at home, such as this necklace. Making your own pieces can be a fun and interesting way to work with leather material.

These are just a few of the great leather goods we have seen recently. When indulging in a beautiful leather purchase, don’t forget to consider the upkeep! Keeping leather clean and healthy helps products stay beautiful and last a long time. To ensure your leather goods stay in top shape, avoid cleaning with household products, like cleaning wipes. Stick to basic soap and water instead, which cleans the leather without removing any of the finish. Wiping leather goods down with a damp cloth and dusting regularly are also great ways to extend the life of your leather.

Have you seen any interesting uses of leather recently? Tell us about it in the comments! We’d love to hear from you.

Are you thinking about replacing your furniture as a holiday gift to yourself this year? Here’s why you should make it leather:

Durability. Leather furniture often comes with a higher price tag than other types of furniture such as cloth. Consider the increase in price as an investment. Leather is stronger and more resistant to tears and stains. Which means it will last longer and cost you less over time instead of constantly replacing your cloth furniture.

Variety. Leather is a classic home décor choice that is elegant in any style. You can find leather furniture in all shapes, sizes, and colors to match your home and personal flair.

Simplicity. Taking care of your leather furniture is easy. Keeping your leather furniture looking beautiful only requires a good cleaning twice a year (http://www.fibrenew.com/blog/one-secret-to-making-your-leather-couch-last-cleaning-correctly/ ). This simple act can make your leather last three times as long!

Comfort. We’ve all heard the old “leather is hot in the summer and cold in the winter” line. The truth is actually the opposite! Leather is breathable so it keeps cool in the summer and adapts to your body heat to stay warm in the winter. Leather also gets better with time as continued use makes it softer.

Already have leather? Check out our post on getting a repair for the holidays (http://www.fibrenew.com/blog/leather-repair-in-time-for-the-holidays/). When you do replace that old couch check out 25 Ways to Destroy a Couch (http://www.fibrenew.com/blog/25-ways-to-destroy-a-couch/).

The holiday season has arrived and this year it’s your turn to host the family. You got all the groceries to make your signature meal, cleaned the carpets, and got the sleeping arrangements all figured out. But what about that old leather couch? You know the one your dog got his claws into or the little ones spilled their milk on. No matter how dazzling you get the rest of the house with your festive decorations, that couch is still going to stick out. Before you go digging around in the attic for the old throw your grandmother gave you to cover it up, consider another option. Repair it!

Now is the perfect time to finally fix the tears, stains, or holes in your leather furniture. Your newly repaired couch is sure to impress your family and friends. The holidays can be a financial burden as they are so you can send a picture of your leather furniture to a local repairman for a free quote. Think of the repair as a holiday gift to yourself that will keep on giving throughout the year.

Your couch may only need a good cleaning to look new again. Check out our leather furniture cleaning and repair guide before you head to the store or get started on your cleaning.

A few little-known facts about caring for vinyl:

•           Vinyl is not as flexible in the cold as it is in hot weather, so be careful stepping on cold vinyl – it will rip easily.

•           Use clean water and a general purpose vinyl cleaner (neutral PH) not water by itself, to remove oil, dust, and grime from the vinyl seats and vinyl trim at the start of the season and every time you use the boat.  Don’t use lake water because the minerals and dirt in most lake water will stay on your vinyl – acting sort of like sand paper and wearing it down when people start getting in and out of your boat.

•           Sunscreen, body oils and sea salt also act as abrasive surfaces that break down vinyl as people move around on your seats. Those same oils can get baked into the vinyl as it gets hotter because vinyl becomes more porous in the heat. It’s best to clean the seats after every use, not matter what the temperature is.

•           Tree sap is one of the worst things you can get on vinyl because sun and heat can melt the sap into the vinyl. Clean the sap off quickly if it does land on the vinyl.

•           If you get a hole in a vinyl seat, make sure the inside of the cushion is dry before repair.

•           Pay close attention to your boat cover – it should cover all vinyl surfaces.  Besides keeping the boat cleaner it keeps sunlight from damaging the vinyl. Try to leave a vent when your boat is covered so moisture in the boat can escape.

Baby wipes are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkaline cleaners to neutralize urine (acid) on baby’s skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.

Saddle soap is too harsh to use on today’s leathers and saddles need treating in a different way to furniture. A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it.

Fairy liquid and household soaps contain more salt these days to get things clean and this will break the finish down on your leather. This has been verified by the manufacturers (as with the baby wipes).

You should also follow cleaning with a good water based leather protector which will act like a ‘scotchgard’ and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.

It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime. Cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of body oils into the leather with a protector is the best.

Using household products may appear to work but will, in the long run, deteriorate the leather finish quicker and it may then be impossible to restore. It may seem cheaper to use products from the supermarket but if they do not work or damage the leather then it is a short sighted saving.

If the finish or leather has started to show signs of wear or cracking then cleaners will not help you. You will need to call a technician who will be able to do repair/restoration work on it. Do not be tempted by DIY products as they can lead to additional problems.

When considering old leather furniture on Ebay, it may take a while to find because it isn’t something that is posted on a daily basis. You need to take into consideration how much you are willing to spend on a piece of furniture. You can’t forget to take into account how much it may cost to have it shipped to you. If you find a piece of furniture that is somewhat close to you in proximity, it may end up being cheaper to go get it and load it yourself after you have purchased it rather than having it sent via freight.

One thing about treasure hunting for old leather furniture on Ebay is that you need to be absolutely sure to know what you are getting. You don’t want another piece of broken down furniture that you will be disappointed in. Instead, feel free to ask the seller numerous questions and even ask for additional photos. If they are sincerely interested in selling the piece of furniture to you, they should be more than willing to accommodate for your needs.

There are a few things that you may want to ask the seller when you have treasure hunted and found an ideal piece of furniture for your home:
• What are the dimensions?
• Is there any damage to it?
• How did you take care of it?
• Does this come from a smoke free home?
• Does this come from a pet free home?
• What color is it?
• What company manufactured it?
• How old is it?
• Why are they selling it?

These are just a few suggestions to you to ask a seller when contemplating making a big purchase of furniture on the world’s most popular auction website. If it doesn’t work out for you, there are other treasures waiting to be discovered elsewhere. Happy hunting!

Another common reason people look for solutions for restoring upholstery in their vehicle is if they happen to have a vehicle that they are fixing up. If it is an old time antique or vintage automobile, it may be a hobby for you to restore it. It is possible to do some upholstery restoration on your own but it may take you a lot of time to figure out how to do it as well as a good chunk of change, especially if you do it wrong and have to redo it. You may be surprised to find that there are restoration kits available for purchase online. Finding out if it is the right product for you to use may take a little bit of investigation.

When considering automotive upholstery restoration, you may want to look for a professional to take care of it for you. Simply conduct a search in your telephone directory or online to look for one in your area that can perform the job for you. Also make sure that the company you are going to deal with is a reputable one and be sure to obtain a price quote before confirming whether or not you chose them to restore it for you.

There are many myths about leather repair, so when you are looking to fix your leather furniture, it is important to keep the myths at bay.

Myth 1:

Leather cuts cannot be repaired: The biggest myth that leather cuts cannot be repaired is absolutely FALSE. Although this is the hardest to repair, it certainly can be fixed. There are numerous leather repair kits available at most leather stores which come equipped with adhesives made especially for leather. If the cuts are big, then you might need to put some padding under the patch to completely mend it, but regardless of the size of the cut, it can be fixed!

Myth 2:

Super Glue can fix the minor tears in leather: Another myth which will ruin your leather furniture rather than repair it. NEVER ever use super glue to fix tears on your leather upholstery. Super glue is not flexible and therefore is not a good solution to fix torn leather. It hardens and causes more damage to it rather than repair it.

Myth 3:

Markers can be used for discoloration: Many old wives tales state that you can use markers to repair discolored leather. However, that is NOT true. Markers cannot match the exact appearance of the leather as it is not made for this purpose, so never use a marker to quickly remove the discoloration. You will only end up creating an irregular look.

Myth 4:

Hair Spray can remove small stains: Many people will tell you that hair spray can remove small stains from leather, but this is a big myth. Hair spray actually can cause major discoloration to your leather. This is because hair spray has high levels of alcohol in them which damages leather and its sticky deposit will collect more dust and the area which it is applied to will become worse for the wear!

Myth 5:

Olive Oil can make your scuffed leather look new: This is not TRUE. Olive oil and all other oils actually speed up the deterioration process for leather. As leather is porous it will absorb the oil and over time the absorbed oil will lead to discoloration.