1) Clean

2) Condition

3) Protect

1) Cleanse (No.1) - its job is to remove soiling from the surface of the leather

2) Nourish (No.2) - its role is to penetrate, lubricate and moisturise at the structural level (keeping the fibres pliable and the leather supple)

3) Protect (No.3) - its job is to provide an invisible shield on the surface that minimises soiling and stains and makes cleaning easier. It also protects against UV damage (drying).

Available in a care kit

Accessories: brush, microfibre cloths

Test

1) Apply a test spot of each product in an inconspicuous place to assess compatibility with your leather. Non-compatibility is rare and is more likely with damaged, vintage, very low and very high grade leathers due to non-standard finishes.

Clean

1) Vacuum any dust and particles.

2) Spray the cleaner directly onto the leather one section at a time. Working quickly and gently, agitate the cleaner into the grain using a scrubbing brush. Experiment with angles and pressures to find the best approach for your job. Avoid rubbing with a cloth to prevent damage to the coatings, indentations and loss of grain.

3) Wipe clean with a microfibre cloth

4) Repeat if needed

Overdue services typically require more product, a firmer technique and more effort.

When spills happen, act immediately. If you can remove the liquid before it penetrates or dries, the chance of staining is minimised. Fold a cloth into a pad. Pour on some cleaner. Using the palm of your hand, press and hold the cloth to the spill for a couple of seconds. Repeat using a fresh part of the cloth to wick as much liquid as possible from the leather.

Condition

2) Pour Nourish (No.2) on to a lightly dampened microfibre cloth and squeeze to incorporate

2) Wipe over the surface evenly and repeat until all areas have been treated

Protect

1) Pour Protect (No.3) onto a lightly dampened cloth or spray over one section at a time

2) Working quickly, wipe over the surface evenly and repeat until all areas have been treated.

Cleaning removes both the soiling you can see and the soiling you can't see - such as, body oil and perspiration. Whilst dust and dirt can abrade the coatings, body oil and perspiration undermine the adhesion of the coatings, causing delamination (where the coatings crack and flake off, leaving the leather exposed). As such, the main aim of leather cleaning is to remove the contaminants that promote the breakdown of the finish.

3 monthly care schedule

Whilst a 3 monthly service is ideal for most jobs, if your leather is used all day every day, a weekly, fortnightly or monthly service may be ideal. It's easier to keep leatehr clean than to get it clean after months or years of neglect. If useage is light, a damp cloth can be used to wipe over high traffic areas, between scheduled cleans.

Permanent stains

When marks and stains are permanent, cleaning may minimise them but won't remove them completely. That's were recolouring comes in.

Best Accessories

The best accessories for leather care are a brush and white microfibre cloths. Some leathers, such as sofas and car seats, can handle scrubbing with a medium bristle brush whilst others, such as fine, apparel leathers might be best treated with a soft bristle brush.

White cloths show you exactly what's happening as you work.

Regular conditioning helps to maintain softness and suppleness. Nourish (No.2) is ideal for pigmented leathers. Other conditioners can also be used. Waxy Nourish (No.9) - Shiny is a more substancial conditioner that leaves a noticeable waxy coating which can be buffed to a luxurious shine. For a modern look, Waxy Nourish (No.9) - Matte offers nourishing benefits but without the shine. Softener (No.22) is a once a year treatment for leather that has stiffened over time.

With regular conditioning, a degree of protection from spills, soiling and stains builds.

Protect (No.3) contains a UV barrier that helps to slow the effects of UV exposure (drying). It also provides an anti-soiling barrier that helps to keep leather cleaner for longer, reduces uptake of transferred dyes, builds stain resistance and makes cleaning easier. It is compatible with all pigmented leathers and is ideal for use on light coloured leathers.

Want to know more about our other leather cleaners? Here is our guide to choosing a leather cleaner.

Want to know more about leather conditioners? Here is our guide to nourishing leather.

Want to know more protecting leather? Here is our guide to leather protection options.