Common Questions

This will largely depend on a few factors including (a) the type of leather you intend to treat (b) how are you using the leather and, (c) the climate of the place you live in. 

For example, fine leathers used in purses or bags may be applied monthly. In climates of high humidity or hot weather, the frequency of conditioning can be increased accordingly. 

Generally, apply a good conditioner on your leather item even before you start using it. It should also be done before the leather starts to display dry leather symptoms such as cracks and squeakiness on the surface. Always remember more is less, so use your leather conditioner sparingly to avoid overbuilding of conditioner within the leather fabric.

Looking after your leather furniture is a three-step process to ensure it is kept in the best condition possible.

- Vacuum the furniture regularly or consider using a lint roller to remove any pet hair or surface crumbs, etc.

- Wipe the surface with a damp (not wet) cloth and use a good leather cleaner to remove any stains or remaining dirt, if required.

- Apply a leather conditioner to nourish the leather and keep it supple.

Note: The Leather Conditioner may darken the colour of the leather when first applied but usually lightens after a few hours once it has dried. As always test on an inconspicuous or hidden area of the sofa to ensure you are happy with the results.

We recommend: Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No. 5 Furniture Conditioner but other options will produce good results such as: Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No. 1 Leather Conditioner LeatherHoney Conditioner Apple Leather Care Conditioner

We suggest you mix one part apple cider vinegar to three parts water to kill the mildew. Just carefully wipe it on and allow it to dry naturally. Do not attempt to quicken drying by putting it underneath a hair dryer or under the sun. For lighter-coloured leather or white leather, you may wish to use white vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar. 

If your leather has got some stains or is generally dirty, you may wish to consider a leather cleaner. After cleaning and allowing it to dry out naturally, you will need to apply a good leather conditioner to re-introduce moisture into the leather fibre and to protect it from any further mould or mildew. 

Always remember to test patch the solution onto a discreet or hidden area of the leather before applying fully. This will avoid any chance of unnecessary colour or dye transfer.

To get rid of smell from leather lounge, we recommend a couple of options first.  

1. Sprinkle some baking soda over your leather furniture and then vacuum it away after an hour or two. It should remove those funky smells, or

2. Gently wipe down the leather with one part apple cider vinegar (white vinegar if your leather furniture is cream or white) and three parts water. This can both clean the surface of unsightly mould/mildew and also assist on removing odours. 

Whichever method you choose, there are a few things you may need to take note of.

1. Remember to perform a test-patch. Leather behaves differently to different solutions, so always be good to test what you want to do on a discreet or hidden part of leather before going full-scale. 
2. Use a leather cleaner if your furniture has stains or is generally dirty.

3. Remember to condition your leather after any form of treatment, cleaning, etc. It will help to restore or maintain the moisture within the leather fibre and prevent it from drying out. 

If you are looking for leather conditioner specially for leather furniture, we recommend: Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No. 5 Furniture Conditioner.

The neutral option is a non-pigmented cream or wax that can be used on different coloured leather shoes as it does not provide any additional colouration. Neutral is recommended when your shoe has stitching of a different colour to the leather surface since a pigmented cream will discolour any of the material. However, if your shoes are scuffed or discoloured or aged, a coloured cream or wax matching that of your shoe will provide effective revitalisation and enrichment.

Using a shoe cream polish will keep the leather in the best condition over the long term. It has the effect of keeping the leather moist and supple. A coloured shoe polish will also enrich the colour of the original leather and remove any discolouration and scuff marks. A wax polish can then be applied to add a glossy shine to the shoe and add a layer of protection from water and dirt.

We recommend: Saphir Pommadier Shoe PolishIt contains roughly twice the pigments normally found in shoe creams. This is very effective in concealing scuffing and renewing the patina of your shoes, keeping them looking great for many years to come.

The horse hair brush is used for two purposes; to remove dirt, mud or grease and also as a finisher after the cream or wax is applied to provide a consistent shine. We recommend that the brush be used only for a specific colour. It is best not to use the same brush with different colour cream and wax polishes to avoid colour transfer. 

We recommend: Saphir range of brushes as an effective way to get started and should serve your needs for both shoe care and polishing.