Knowledge Base

The history of leather furniture dates right back to the good old days of ancient Egypt and Greece when both leather and cloth were stretched over frames of ivory or ebony to create luxurious upholstery. In the centuries since, leather furniture has been consistently recognised as a prestige, impressive addition to any interior that often communicates a sense of wealth. One prominent example that has reigned supreme throughout the UK since the mid-1700s is the Chesterfield sofa, in all its deep-seated, button-tufted glory. Commissioned by the Earl of Chesterfield for his guests to sit on, the signature low back of the Chesterfield was designed so that men wouldn’t crease their suits and other fine clothes. The luxurious leather Chesterfield was also a firm favourite of Sigmund Freud, who chose to have one in each of his clinics due to his belief that patients would talk more if they could be comfortable. Like fine wine, genuine leather only gets better with age, which is why it doesn’t need much maintenance. However, you will need to follow certain rules to prevent damage, discolouring or drying out, which is why doing a little homework on how to care for leather furniture is never a bad idea. Where Saints Go leather furniture We have an extensive range of leather furniture on offer at Where Saints Go, specialising in accent leather armchairs, dining chairs, bar stools and sofas. We source most of our leather pieces from trusted suppliers in India, who only work with the finest, genuine materials and complete all processes by hand, including dyeing and stitching. This makes each piece truly unique, with quality craftsmanship evident from all angles. Our bestselling examples include the Brooklyn and the Road House ranges, which both pair sumptuous buffalo leather alongside solid, sturdy metal frames. All leather is dyed in a selection of discerning shades before being upholstered onto these beautiful seats entirely by hand, and finished with signature stitching for a ribbed look and cushioned feel. What’s the best thing to clean leather with? You should dust your leather furniture at the same time you clean the rest of the house, gently using your hoover’s dusting attachment (or a microfibre cloth) to free your furniture of any oil, crumbs and general dust. After dusting, if you want to freshen the leather up, you can wipe it with a slightly damp cloth, but make sure that it is only lightly damp, and not wet enough to leave any moisture sitting atop the leather. The best product for cleaning leather will depend on the type of finish you have, as you won’t want to use a product that causes discolouration, or ruins the look of your furniture. The general rule is not to use just any old oil-based product, as oil can often lead to over-saturation which appears in the form of unsightly, discoloured spots across the surface of your leather. To be on the safe side, we’d stick with a mix of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. This easygoing, gentle solution is especially great for wiping away any grime or marks. Can I use leather furniture wipes on leather furniture? Leather furniture wipes are usually a failsafe method for gently cleaning and conditioning your furniture, as they will usually be suitable for use on pieces that have been dyed or distressed in a particular colour or style and then finished in a protective balm. However, you should keep in mind that these wipes don’t completely sanitize your leather surfaces, and should never be used on suede or nubuck unless they are explicitly designed for that purpose. How to care for leather furniture While everyone has their own unique tips and tricks, the experts at Architectural Digest have a helpful, cohesive guide on leather care, but ultimately how to care for leather furniture comes down to a number of non-negotiable dos and don’ts which will ensure both longevity and lustre. Leather care dos ● Clean your leather when you clean the house by using a dry dusting cloth followed by a slightly damp cloth. This will help avoid the build-up of oils and dirt. Use the warm water and white vinegar method if you need to. ● Always test any products on a small, hidden area of the leather before cleaning. Sometimes with products like sofas or armchairs, you’ll find a swatch of the leather stitched into the seam beneath the seating cushion. You can test on this first! ● Remember that some leather is meant to look aged or distressed - if you have any questions about the finish of your product, be sure to ask your supplier before you buy. ● We know it’s tricky when they give you ‘the look’ but please, keep pets off leather pieces to avoid any unwanted tears, and to avoid oils and dirt becoming embedded. ● Buy the right conditioning product for your type of leather to ensure that it’s suitable. Leather care donts ● Don’t put leather furniture in line of consistent direct sunlight, as this can cause your leather to dry out, crack or discolour. Similarly, you shouldn’t put leather furniture up against a radiator, other source of heat, or beside anything that would dry up all the natural moisture in the material. ● Don’t overdo it on cleaning products - anything that is really wet, has a strong scent and comes in a spray bottle is generally to be avoided. The golden rule is that anything that is good for your leather will be spread onto it, not poured. ● Don’t risk tearing it - be wary of pets with sharp claws, handbags with metal zips and clothing or jewellery that might snag and cause damage.