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Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol for all brands
*Updated* 01/07/24
Due to the showroom closing next month, we are no longer carrying any leather care products beyond the few remaining ones we have. We have removed the order forms from our website. Please purchase directly from the makers.
Www.damagedleathersolutions.com
I am revising the care thread on leather after spending many hours researching it with both Hancock and Moore as well as the experts at Leather Solutions. This thread will replace the one previously posted.
Hancock and Moore switched from Leather Magic to Leather Solutions as their 'go to' for leather care and issues. I have been reluctant to make that switch, and a primary reason is because the Leather Solution product is more costly product to buy and more involved in application. However, I am convinced this is the right way to go after numerous phone conversations with both companies. Leather Solutions actually is the trainer and educator for not only Hancock and Moore's staff, but for many other leather houses as well. As they told me at H&M "Pamela at Leather Solutions is one of the best in the industry - if not THE best - and her products work, and work well".
Let me cover some of the basics here for you. Most stores you buy leather furniture from will tell you one of two things. 1) You don't have to do anything to it, or 2) You need to purchase our warranty protection program for $ 395. Both are the wrong answers. And, you will even get some information from the makers of the pieces that is not entirely correct. They will say "Just wipe it down with a damp rag". While that won't hurt your pieces, its not really getting the job done, either. That's done for warranty concerns, nothing more. Imagine if you got in the shower and never used shampoo on your hair. Getting it wet day after day is not getting it clean, is it? Same with leather.
As Pamela explains it to me, there are three steps to proper leather care. CLEAN - SOFTEN - PROTECT. And if you do that every three to six months you will be 'taking care of your cow' as she puts it. Eliminate any one of the steps and you are skipping over a critical part. You paid a lot of money for your Hancock and Moore, and it will last -but you have to do some maintenance to prevent it from discoloring and cracking over time. Leather gets dirty, dries out and can get soiled and crack. These products will go a long ways to prevent that. In fact, don't do any maintenance to your leather and what will happen is it will darken from dirt and body oils, then begin peeling and cracking. I've seen it happen many, many times. Note too, that soiling is more frequent in summer months when we are in shorts and t-shirts vs sweaters and long pants in the winter. Also, folks that are on heavy medications can sometimes cause leathers to react to the chemicals coming off their bodies, so if that's you - keep an eye on your leather and see if its changing color.
These are maintenance kits, they don't fix problems such as restoring color, stain removal, topcoat issues, etc.. Think of these the same as washing your clothes, they get the dirt out and extend the life of material.
Attachment 7048 Attachment 7049
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
So here's a test for ya'll....a customer and forum member was in the store asking about the product so I said "Let's see what it does!" And I pulled out a spare Capri Camel leather I had, which is one of the GR 4 naked leathers. Gridded it out with a Sharpie, and the left side was untreated, the right side with Leather Solutions Softener Cream and then followed by the Protection cream for Aniline hides
Then I went and got the nastiest chemicals I had around the store. WD-40, which is an oil, Vinegar (acid), Ammonia (acid) and some hand lotion, since I have a lot of ladies asking me about that one.
P.S. The permanent marker is FOREVER - and will never come out.
Here's the first photo - the spills just done:
Attachment 7067
Put the bottles down, walk to the back and grab a paper towel and blot it up - we do not want to scrub these, or use water on them. Just blot them and let them be:
Attachment 7068
After 10 minutes:
Attachment 7069
After almost two hours:
Attachment 7070
Three days later - only the oily WD-40 remains on the untreated side, and its very faint. It will probably work out over the next 3 to 5 months. So much for the myth that you can't buy naked leathers for everyday use!
Attachment 7072
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Thread is OPEN to comments and questions.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Would you recommend the same cleaners for a BY couch?
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Yes, for all leathers. I even use that kit on my leather car interiors.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
If we use the appropriate Leather Solutions kit 2 or 3 times a year, do you still recommend a more frequent wipe with water or water and mild soap? Also, if we spill something, any steps we should take? Thanks.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
I'd not use the soap, but you can do a damp (not wet) wipedown as you see fit.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
I'm looking at your Leather Solutions kits. I have Atticus Java which is described as having a "slight" pull-up effect. But it appears to have the same wax coating as other pull-up leathers. I saw a post where you mentioned using Kit 2 on Yardley because it was a "mild" pull-up leather and you didn't think Kit 3 was necessary.
Is Kit 3 required for Atticus Java? Kit 3 had the wax pull-up cream in it. Is that important to use on Atticus Java to keep it looking good and somewhat stain resistant?
In the past on my other leather pieces I only cleaned and conditioned the seating areas, or areas that came in contact with skin oils like arm rests. Is that okay or should I be doing the entire piece?
I've read that pull-up leather can be sprayed with Scotch Guard to protect it against stains, but I've never done that. Does the protection cream, etc in Kit 2 or 3 help with stains? I saw your panels on Capri. I just don't know how that compares to Atticus.
Thanks Duane.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
For Atticus, you would want the Aniline kit. You don't have a true pull-up hide in the sense of needing the extra product. I do the entire piece, because cleaning and softening is needed on all parts of the hide. You could probably skip the "Protection" part on the outside back and arms, but that's the least likely to run out of all three products in the kit. I've never used Scotch Guard on leather and yours is the first I've heard of that suggestion. I suppose you could, but why take the chance of chemical damage when you have the correct Protection agent in the kit that does barrier against spills.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
I've been reading about the leather protector. The problem for me with aniline leather is I have really oily skin. I'll have to use a head rest protector of some kind. Protector and conditioner helps, but it won't stop my oil.
On the seat cushions I'll get two dark spots where my legs crossover the cushions. There really isn't any way to stop that. I've tried cleaning and conditioning more frequently but with relatively new furniture I won't know how well it's working for a couple of years.
Does H&M sell individual seat covers? I thought about buying one for my chair and one for the couch. In five years I can put them on and the dark spots on the cushions are gone! I saw H&M had seat covers listed in their price book, but I wasn't sure if that was like their headrest covers, which are basically rectangular pieces of matching leather with sewn edges or whether that was the price for replacing the seat cover that came with the furniture.
Are new seat covers a custom item or was that price in the price book for those?
Right now I'm going to clean and condition the leather every 3 months. But I'm still expecting some dark streaks. On the Atticus Java they won't be too noticeable.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Mostly staining of leather with body oils is caused be medication a person is taking. Sometimes it can be quite dramatic. Keep the Protector coating on the leather out of the kit and stay on top of it as that is your best chance to barrier the hide. Yes, you can get seat or back cushion casings a la carte. In a Gr 2 leather, a new seat casing is $ 260 + shipping, a back casing is done on a quote basis. Its identical to the original casing in all aspects.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
I was recently surprised when our aniline sofa had some stains disappear over time - I'd never heard about that. Still, protecting would be a better idea.
1. Is this Leather Solution something that once you start with it you have to continue? I can see myself 10 years from now wondering whether the cost is really worth it.
2. Also, does it turn this nice, breathable leather into an expensive protected leather? I really dislike hot, non-breathable "waterproof" leather shoes.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Think of it this way....(to answer question # 1). If you took a daily shower and used soap, shampoo and conditioner for your hair, would you have to keep doing that? The answer would be no of course, but you wouldn't look or smell very nice down the road apiece. I have leather furniture in my house that is now 30 years old and it looks great - because I stay on top of the treatments. If you don't all that will happen is a shorter life span on your hide.
# 2) No, it does not. the topcoat is water-based and goes on very thinly, you won't even notice it. Do a test yourself, one arm on a sofa or chair with it applied, the other not. Then see the difference (and also flick some water drops on each one to see the barrier at work).
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
What products would you recommend for a Flexsteel Crosstown sectional with semi aniline leather with vinyl sides and back?
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
With the time change this weekend I gave the Atticus Sable Austin High Back and Ottoman a good Ivory soap clean and rinse! Gorgeous leather! :D
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Don't forget to condition the leather! Cleaning is good, but you need to use the softener as well to prevent hide drying and cracking.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
I need to order some cleaner and conditioner.
I believe I have Aniline but don't know if I need 2 or 3.
And I don't know the leather type.
I think I may need 3 because my sofa shows signs similar to this:
http://www.myfurnitureforum.com/show...hlight=Aniline
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
If you have a waxy, pull-up leather then you would want the # 3 kit, though you certainly won't hurt anything if you use the # 2 kit on it.
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I have a question about the Leather Solutions kit. I received a box free from H&M when I purchased/registered my Sundance sofa that contained 1 bottle of leather cleaner and 1 bottle of conditioning cream (no softener). I used it for the first time recently and noticed that the conditioner 'cream' was the exact same consistency as the cleaner (clear liquid, like water). I was just wondering if that was normal? It was not a cream in any sense. My sofa is not in the sun and is not quite a year old, and still looks like brand new, but I went ahead and used both products as instructed. I also sent an email to Leather Solutions but other than a canned reply that they received my email and would get back to me - they never got back to me with an answer. I have saddles, and every saddle conditioner I have ever used on them was more of a cream, so I want to make sure the right product was in that bottle :-) Thanks!
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
I went ahead and purchased kit from Duane for my Recliner that is being delivered in March. I went ahead and used it on my Flexsteel Sofa and Love seat, the entire three step process. I will say I did not bother using it on the Vinyl parts, I just cleaned those with other stuff. It is very easy to apply and everything you need comes in the kit, except for a terry towel to do the wipe down. You know the cleaner is working because you can see the dirt on the sponge applicator. The softener is the second step, and you have to let in soak in for a couple of hours, but it drys really quick to sight. The last step is the protector which like Duane says has the consistency of water and also drys to very quick to sight, but you let it dry for 30 minutes anyway. All three products in the kit are very easy to apply and are very thin and watery. No, lotions or balms. I bought the kit for the protected leather and my Flexsteel is Semi Aniline, so it worked fine. The kit will probably do your Sofa /Love seat twice, so if you follow Duane's regimen of every six months, a kit will last a year. One $50 kit and a couple of hours of actual work a year is a small price to pay to keep your investment in great shape for 30 years.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
The cleaner and protectant are clear products, but the conditioner is definitely cream-like. I am pretty sure they hand-fill each one of these bottles at Leather Solutions Int'l and you may have just got two bottles of cleaner with one mis-labeled.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Quote:
Originally Posted by
drcollie
The cleaner and protectant are clear products, but the conditioner is definitely cream-like. I am pretty sure they hand-fill each one of these bottles at Leather Solutions Int'l and you may have just got two bottles of cleaner with one mis-labeled.
Well, it is white where the other two are clear. It is pretty runny through, even when shaken up real well. I will go with more like Skim Milk!:)
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Thanks for the info, I bet that is what happened. My sofa must be really clean now!
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Hi Duane~ We are still loving our "new" H&M furniture, but I have a leather maintenance question. Our furniture arrived in late September, and in mid-October we covered it and left until early December. We used it very lightly for about six weeks, before covering it again for the next three months. We have just returned home and are going to do the Leather Solutions maintenance routine with the kit purchased from you when we ordered our furniture. My question is, do we need to apply the cleaner at all since the sofa (Cameo Carmel Burnished Grade 3) and Kenneth chair (Burl Elm Polished Grade 4) have never really been used and the recliners (Capri Mink Grade 4) have been used only for about two months? There does not appear to be anything to clean, as the furniture has been covered with soft drapes for most of its time here. I do not want to apply cleaner if it is not needed, but I am happy to do it if it is important to the cleaning regimen. Thanks for any insight you might have.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
I Don't think there is a hard and fast rule on time, the more you use it, the more it needs a clean. Since you haven't used it much at all, I think you will be fine to wait until a rainy day and you need a project!
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Hi Duane! I have a few questions. As you know, we got our york sectional in tiburon java back in March/April. I wipe it down with a warm damp cloth at least once a week (heavy usage, 3 very young children). I have not conditioned it yet or applied any products. Once I used a little dove "sensitive" soap. Am I drying out the hide by wiping it often without conditioning it... Especially the time I did use a little soap? I was agast recently when I saw that the back cushion of the seat my husband always sits in is stained all across where his shoulders rest after just two months.... He does not take any meds, but it has been so hot. Will that stain come out? And will it damage the leather? I had been meaning to order the Leather Solutions kit from you but haven't yet. The movers arrive tomorrow to get us packed up for Hawaii. I will not see it again for maybe 8 weeks. I dont know what levels of heat it might be in while shipping. It has been near 100 here. I have some leather magic conditioner and protectant I had bought to use on our vehicle's leather upholstery... Should I give it a good soap down and condition and protect it with the leather magic I have today?
One more question-- regarding moving-- I was going to insist that the movers wrap both sofa pieces in plastic wrap and then cover with blankets. Will the plastic wrap be ok on the hide for up to two months in the heat? And how should they place it in the crate (our boxes will all go into numerous wooden crates)? The Navy contracts out with some notoriously bad companies...
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Hi Savannah,
You are not harming the leather at all with the damp cloth and mild soap, that's perfectly fine.
If you are getting a stain area on the leather from where you husband sits, then the chemicals in his skin are causing that to occur. I assume it's not through his clothing, but skin-on-leather contact. Some people have that in their body that causes that. Generally that stain will not come out. Post a photo if you can so I can see what it is you are dealing with. What to do in that case is get the Leather Solutions kit and begin that regimen, especially the "protectant" bottle and make sure that is applied in that contact area which should help barrier to some degree. Also, I would get a headrest cover. I can have H&M make one of the same leather ( $ 120) or you can make do with a piece of material cut to fit that area. Leather Magic is a good product, go ahead and use that as well.
As to wrapping for moving, its best to put the pads on the piece and then use the plastic wrap to secure the pads. That way the pads stay on and don't slide. Heat should not bother the piece at all.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Hello Duane, what kit do you recommend for Gaucho Mocha Burnished leather?
Thanks for your help!
Mike
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
That's an aniline leather, so the aniline kit is a good idea. The product is the same in each kit, just the instructions vary (Aniline they tell you to use a hair dryer in application to speed the process and avoid water spotting). On a burnished leather however, I generally never bother with the hair dryer - that's mostly for more nude leathers like Capri and Quintessence and Arizona,
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Thanks, Duane.
What has been your experience with wear on burnished leathers? I'm mostly concerned with hair and body oils leaving dark spots over time. Would you say burnished leather is more resistant to that issue since it has a waxy top coat finish?
I've noticed darker areas on the arms of my older aniline Ryan leather recliner - even though I do clean it fairly regularly. No issues with the Columbia protected semi-aniline leather sectional.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Burnished leather is pretty tough; it's a good performer. It can take quite a bit of abuse in my experience. I have five burnished pieces in my home, including two bar stools at the kitchen counter which get used more than any other leather furniture in the house. Here's a photo taken today, 4 years, 8 months since I brought them home. They get a leather treatment every 6 months with the Leather Solutions kit. Photo taken today as you can see, wear is very much acceptable on them. You can see the original photos here in the forum from Dec 2011 if you do a search for "Steele Farm Cameo"
When new:
Attachment 9042
As of today:
Attachment 9040Attachment 9041
Body oils are different for every person, so there is no way of knowing how one person's will affect a particular leather. Medicines some people take can leech through their skin to cause staining as well, I have seen that happen many times. The finished or coated leathers will always be easier to deal with in that respect as they are less likely to absorb and stain. Burnished leathers have a glazed topcoat and sealer, so they are someone closer to their finished cousins, but still susceptible to sun fade over time.
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Re: Hancock & Moore Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol
Thanks for the detailed reply, Duane. Your barstools look great!
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Re: Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol for all brands
Hi Duane,
I have a H&M 1744 Chancellor Sofa in Heirloom Chestnut. I assume the aniline kit is the right one for this? If so, I'll make an order via paypal.
Thanks!
Danny
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Re: Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol for all brands
Hi Danny,
You can use an Aniline Kit, it will work. The best kit howevr, is the one for Pull-up and Burnished leathers (Kit # 3) which is a little more expensive and had oil and wax restorers in it, as Heirloom is based on a pull-up leather and is burnished. I'm currently sold out of the # 3 kits but have an order in for a dozen, they should be here late next week. The regular aniline kits I have in stock.
Duane
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Re: Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol for all brands
I'm glad I asked, thanks Duane. Can I use the wax restorer in kit #3 on Heirloom Chestnut? Or just the oil restorer? I can't tell if the leather was waxed originally.
Also, would it be best for me to put my order in now, or wait until the kits are back in stock?
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Re: Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol for all brands
Yes, Heirloom Chestnut is a pull-up leather that has been hand-glazed once its fully made up, so ideally you would want to use the oil and wax supplements on it. However you can get by with the basic kit as well, it works too. The most important thing is to get the dirt and oils off, then some conditioner. The Oil/Wax kit just makes it look prettier when done.
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Re: Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol for all brands
I am getting 2 pieces delivered Sunday (Daly gliders in Atticus leather) and was curious if I should apply the step 3 protector right away? Thanks!
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Re: Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol for all brands
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Re: Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol for all brands
Kits are back in stock. Note addition of a new Kit # 4 and price increase on kits # 3 / # 4
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Re: Leather Cleaning & Conditioning Protocol for all brands
Hi, Duane. Which kit do you recommend for Ryan leather? I still have pretty full bottles of Leather Magic and will use them up, but just used the Leather Solutions protective cream for the first time that I received in my little kit from Hancock and Moore. I never realized until reading this thread that there was a third step after conditioning. Thanks for all the information!