Leather maintenance products fall into three basic categories leather cleaners, leather conditioners and leather waterproofing agents.

Understanding the subtle differences in these solutions could save you several thousand dollars over replacement of your expensive leather furniture. The time to brush up is before you apply the wrong kit to your sofa or cars interiors.

Leather Cleaners are the first category of leather maintenance products.

Leather cleaners as the name implies are intended to do a surface cleaning of the upholstery. There are three strategies that are available.

Water based leather cleaners use a combination of ingredients and technology to do an articulated cleaning of the leather upholstery without obstructing the pores of the leather.

Alcohol based leather cleaners use alcohol as the primary ingredient to clean the leather upholstery. There is some risk of shortening the life of the upholstery by prematurely drying and cracking the leathers surface.

Oil based leather cleaners use oil as the primary ingredient and are functionally equivalent to waterproofing agents.

Leather conditioners are the second category of leather maintenance products.

To keep the leather upholstery supple many leather conditioners employ some type of oil as their primary ingredient.

This strategy involves replacing the leather upholstery’s natural oils that evaporate or that are transferred to your clothing over time.

There are leather conditioners that contain mink oil, heavy animal oils and other proprietary ingredients.

Leather conditioners that contain fine oils are preferable to leather conditioners that contain heavy oils that may plug the pores making future cleanings very difficult.

If the leather conditioner contains any type of heavy oils or sealant such as beeswax or Propolis then it is functionally a waterproofing agent.

Waterproofing Agents are the third category of leather maintenance products.

Their primary function is to seal the surface of the leather theoretically protecting the leather from any moisture damage that could result from spills.

Waterproofing Agents accomplish this by effectively plugging the pores of the leather making it very difficult to impossible for any type of liquid to penetrate.

Waterproofing Agents typically use a combination of oils and or waxes to functionally obstruct the pores of the hide.

Some products have resorted to utilizing propolis which is a very fine resinous substance functionally equivalent to a sealant to increase their products level of water repellency.

The waxes also serve a second function that all important shine that is so important to some consumers.

Because waxes have a tendency to dry and crack regular applications of your favorite waterproofing agent should be anticipated to restore those waterproofing qualities.

Waterproofing agents are typically used by hunters, sportsman and the motorcyclist for clothing that is primarily used outdoors such as their leather boots, coats, gloves, jackets, pants, hats and shoes.

Comprehensive analysis and advice of leather maintenance products.

If you love leather furniture and love pets then avoid the use of any type of waxy leather conditioner or oily waterproofing agents. A water based leather cleaner is strongly recommended. We hope this answers all of your questions.

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