Helpful Tips
As the temperatures climb higher, boat lovers everywhere will be returning to the water every chance they get. Taking your boat out after a long, cold winter can be extremely refreshing, especially if you have been kept off of the water by the weather. While you’re gearing up for your joyride, remember to pay attention to your upholstery. Summer weather is beautiful, but it can also lead to worn down seats if you don’t properly care for your boat.
(Top) Mildewed seats. (Bottom) Seats looking like new after the Fibrenew touch.
The first thing you should do upon exposing your boat to the summer elements is to find out exactly what type of material the seats on your boat are made of. Many seats are made with a combination of vinyl and leather, so make sure you know which category your boat falls under.
Choosing a good leather cleanser is the next preventative measure to take. We recommend using water based cleanser, which has fewer chemicals and is better for long-term use. Wiping down your seats regularly with a good cleanser is an excellent way to prevent major wear and tear as well as keep your leather looking clean and new.
Making sure to cover all upholstery on your boat is another great way to keep it from sun damage. Being openly exposed to the sun all the time will wear on the material and cause serious fading, so make sure to invest in a good cover if you store your boat in an outdoor area. Sun damage can cause cracking and fading, so protection is vitally important to keep the material in good shape. Covering up your upholstery will also help protect from dirt, which can stain, and dampness, which can cause mildew. Be sure to dry out the boat before covering it up. Trapped moisture can cause rotting and mildew of the boat’s interior.
Taking these precautionary measure will help keep your boat in fantastic shape. Prepare to relax and enjoy those long summer rides on the water!
Check out more of Fibrenew’s blog for other helpful tips.
When considering adding to your leather collection, it’s important to know what you’re looking for. What type of leather is best suited to your needs? To assist in some of the research, we are showing you the pros and cons of the three main types of leather.
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!
When caring for your leather products, it can be very tempting to use common household cleaning products. Lots of people gravitate towards products they already have around the house, like baby wipes or other types of cleaning wipes. While these seem like an excellent way to keep your leather looking clean, they are actually terrible for leather.
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!
Leather is a material we see all the time; on furniture, in clothing stores and even on accessories. When it comes to accessorizing with leather, there are a ton of great options for everyone out there. Here are some great ways we have seen leather used recently.
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.
Though winter is just getting ramped up, don’t forget about that beautiful vinyl in your boat. Before the waves start slapping against the sides of the boat, there are a few tips to caring for the vinyl in boats that if followed now as the vessel is prepared for the season, and then during the season, will prevent plenty of headaches and expensive repairs in the future.
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.
For general cleaning and preservation of leather, you need to use a good quality water-based leather cleaner. You should NEVER use anything containing oils, waxes or silicone. (Most ‘conditioners’ contain waxes or oils and furniture polish contains silicone) . DO NOT use mink oil. A bottle of good quality leather cleaner should do your furniture 1-2 times.
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.
Sometimes furniture is way beyond repair. Either that or the repairs will cost more than the furniture is for. Instead, you may decide to go treasure hunting for old leather furniture rather than having it professionally restored. If you have never used Ebay before, you are in for a treat. The website has numerous options where you can search for an item that you are looking for and then either have the option to buy it now or bid on it.
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!
