GENERAL CARE AND CLEANING TIPS

Leather furniture is an investment and like any investment it pays to provide proper care to keep it looking beautiful, and to help it last as long as it is intended. Today's leather is the product of years of research, producing soft, pliable, wear-resistant leather. Leather may be found in a rainbow of colors, all with different grain and surface textures.

Leather is the world's first and finest upholstery fabric. The unique features of varying pore density, fat creases, and range scars, give you a "one-of-a-kind" piece of furniture. These character lines are a natural landscape drawn by life and are appreciated for the uniqueness of design that can be found only in leather. These should not be viewed as flaws but as natural beauty marks. Every hide is an original work of art.

With just a little care, your leather furniture will provide years of service and beauty. Oskar Huber Furniture also offers a Stainsafe Warranty Program that can be purchased along with your order. For general leather care, we recommend:

• Avoid direct sunlight. No color or finish is exempt from fading.
• Avoid extreme temperatures that would cause your leather to dry and crack. Placing leather next to radiators and air conditioners increases the drying of the leather and may require costly service to restore the suppleness of the leather.
• Blot up spills quickly with a clean white cloth, sponge or paper towel (dry or damp, but NEVER wet). Never allow liquids to remain on leather. For grease or oil, use talcum or baking powder to absorb as much as possible. Never use water on oil or grease spills.
• Dust leather when you dust the other furniture. Just a damp cloth is all that's needed to wipe off the surface occasionally.
• Never use silicones, polishes, or oils. Oils will darken the leather and with continued use will soften the color causing it to peel and wear off. Most oils will cause leather to rot. Silicones will cause leather to become shiny and slippery and will make repairs or refinishing of the leather impossible.
• To remove stubborn stains, use lukewarm water mixed with non-colored Ivory soap. Wipe with a clean dry cloth and allow to air dry. Always pre-test in an unexposed area.
• Most leather cleaners and polishes are not only safe for leather but also are beneficial. There are some products, however, that should be avoided as they contain harmful ingredients. Leathers damaged by cleaners often show a change in pH when the damaged area is compared to the original leather. The pH of harmful cleaners can indicate that the cleaner should not be used. The use of cleaners that contain strong chemicals or organic solvents may rob the leather of oils or damage the fibers. The leather then becomes weakened and the grain cracks.
• Unlike upholstery fabrics, leather CAN BE repaired to a like new condition with the right knowledge and tools. Holes, nicks, tears, burns and stains can all be repaired and re-dyed to the original look. If an accident like this occurs, call us and we will see that a qualified leather repair service technician in your area calls on you to fix the leather injury. Do not attempt to repair damages or stains yourself.
• Do not leave newspapers on leather furniture. The ink in the newsprint will rub onto the leather. This is true for all upholstery.
• Take extra care with sharp instruments and animal claws. Leather is much stronger than upholstery, but will scratch and puncture with force.