INDULGENCE IN LEATHER CARE

I miss the old you. The one who cared about me

Lineage of Leather
Primitive man hunted wild animals for food and removed the hides and skins from the carcass and used them as crude tents, clothing and footwear but the animal skins rapidly putrefied and became useless, so a method of preservation was needed. Since then due to technological advancement and individual preferences the methods and process of leather tanning evolved, like:

• Stretching the hides and skins on the ground to dry, rubbing them with fats and animals brains while they dried but had a short span of preserving;
• Smoke of wood fires could preserve hides and skins but had no softening;
• Infusion of barks, leaves, twigs and fruits of certain trees and plants but had discoloration;
• Earth salts acting as a tanning agent to produce soft white leather were discovered. The leather could be dyed with naturally occurring dye stuffs in various plants. 

Genuine leather products get better with age but possess one common trait; regardless of the treatment methods, they are natural products which preserve their core characteristics and the leather surface fades naturally over time thus showing some signs like difference in grain, texture, scars and pigmentation but highlighting the authenticity and unique beauty of the product.

Natural Wear, Ageing and Patina
All Delphi products like Belts, Wallets, Handbags, Backpacks, Duffle and Culinary accessories are made from natural leather which will age with time. Just like our own skin, it will need moisturizing and caring, if they are to be kept in pristine condition for a long span. Even with excellent care, they will still age; but a well looked after and aged leather product is just as beautiful as a new one, if not even more so.

This ageing process is termed as leather ‘Patina’, or “DePatina”  as we call it and it is a very cherished and admired effect which is almost impossible to replicate without the exposure of leather products to natural wear and tear. This natural ageing effect adds character and gives it a life-story of its very own, every mark, scratch and crack tells a tale. We at Delphi Leather invite you to share with us the story of your most valued leather product which was submissive to natural causes.

Decoding the Leather Clan

The product portfolio is enormous due to multiple tanning processes which create numerous leather types and caters to the needs and demands of all the retail segments imaginable. Despite the immensity in leather products range we at Delphi Leather try to depict the most saleable/usable leather types, its core, characteristics and caring procedures:

Antique Leather Care:
Antique Grain (two-tone or rub-off) is a leather to which a special surface has been applied to mimic the unique ‘Worn' or “Wash” appearance of the more traditional leathers. This is achieved by a top coat which is applied unevenly, or rubbed off, to reveal a paler color beneath. There will be natural marks and some shade variation and this type of leather will age more over time.

• Dust on a weekly basis with a soft cloth or vacuum with a soft brush.
• If you stain your furniture use a damp cloth to immediately dab of any excess. Do not rub. Do not use excess water, as water staining can occur.
• Do not use normal household cleaning products.
• If you use a recommended antique leather cleaning product always pay attention to the instructions and test on an inconspicuous area first.
• A recommended antique grain protection cream can be applied to offer more protection against staining and scratching but this may alter the color of the leather.

Anline Leather Care:
Aniline leather is the most natural looking leather with the unique surface characteristics of the animal hide remaining visible. This is a leather that has no additional pigmentation and either has no protection, or there may be a light transparent finish. As such, a degree of natural marks and shade variation should be expected.

• Dust on a weekly basis with a soft cloth or vacuum with a soft brush.
• If you stain your furniture use a damp cloth to immediately dab off any excess. Do not rub. Do not use excess water, as water staining will occur.
• Do not use household cleaning products.
• If you use a recommended aniline leather-cleaning product always pay attention to the instructions and test on an inconspicuous area first.
• A recommended aniline leather protection cream can be applied to offer more protection against staining and scratching but this may alter the color of the leather.

Semi-Aniline Leather Care:
Semi-Aniline  is natural looking leather with some of the unique surface characteristics of the animal hide remaining visible.This type of leather may contain a small amount of pigment in the surface coating. This will give some degree of extra protection but some shade variation should be expected.

• Dust on a weekly basis with a soft cloth or vacuum with a soft brush.
• If you spill something on your furniture, use a damp cloth to immediately dab off any excess. Do not rub. Do not use excess water, as water staining can occur.
• A damp cloth and a very mild soap solution can be used to remove every-day grime and dirt.
• Do not use household cleaning products.
• If you use a recommended semi-aniline leather-cleaning product, always pay attention to the instructions and test on an inconspicuous area first.
• A recommended semi-aniline leather protection cream can be applied to offer more protection against staining and scratching but this may alter the color of the leather.

Pigmented Leather Care:
Pigmented Leather has a thicker surface coating to enhance durability. A polymer finish that contains pigments provides the durability. With modern technology, the coating can be embossed, printed or plain.

• Dust on a weekly basis with a soft cloth or vacuum with a soft brush.

• If you spill something on your furniture, use a damp cloth to immediately dab of any excess. Do not rub. Do not use excess water, as water staining can occur.
• A damp cloth and a very mild soap solution can be used to remove every day grime and dirt.
• Do not use normal household cleaning products as these may react with the finish causing cracking.
• If you use a recommended pigmented leather cleaning product always pay attention to the instructions and test on an inconspicuous area first.
• A recommended pigmented leather protection cream can be applied to offer more protection against staining and scratching but this may alter the color of the leather.

Pull-up Leather Care:
Pull-up leather (also known as waxy or oily pull-up) has a natural worn look which will lighten in color when stretched. This leather is natural leather that may have some natural marks and shade variation. This type of leather will age and appear more ‘lived in' with use.

• Dust on a weekly basis with a soft cloth or vacuum with a soft brush.
• If you spill something on your furniture use a dry cloth to immediately dab of any excess. Do not rub.
• Gently warming and rubbing with a soft cloth to redistribute the oils in the leather can remove some superficial scratches.
• Do not use normal household cleaning products.
• If you use a recommended cleaning or re oiling product to offer more protection but this may alter the color of the leather.

Nu buck Leather Care:
Nu buck is natural looking leather with the grain surface of the hide very lightly abraded to give a soft velvety appearance. The nap is very fine due to the tight fibers in the grain layers of the hide. This product can easily soil and is usually used for occasional use.

• Dust on a weekly basis using a vacuum with a soft brush.
• With continued use some areas of the nap can seem flattened. To rejuvenate use a nu buck brush to revitalize the pile.
• If you spill something on your furniture use a damp cloth to immediately dab of any excess. Do not rub. Do not use excess water, as water staining will occur.
• Do not use normal household cleaning products.
• If you use a recommended nu buck leather-cleaning product always pay attention to the instructions and test on an inconspicuous area first.
• A recommended spray can be applied to offer more protection against staining but this may alter the color of the nu buck.

Suede Leather Care:
Suede is created when the middle or lower section of the hide is used and then abraded to give a distinctive fibrous nap.

• Dust on a weekly basis using a vacuum with a soft brush.
• With continued use some areas of the nap can seem flattened. To rejuvenate use a suede brush to revitalize the pile.
• If you spill something on your furniture use a damp cloth to immediately dab of any excess. Do not rub. Do not use excess water, as water staining will occur.
• Do not use normal household cleaning products.
• If you use a recommended suede-cleaning product and always pay attention to the instructions and test on an inconspicuous area first.
• A recommended spray can be applied to offer more protection against staining but this may alter the color of the suede.

Delphi Leather Care Solutions:
Delphi Leather care solutions covers our entire portfolio as it is product specific so if the leather products become dry and lusterless, apply a small amount of oil or cream as per the instructions stated below:

• Use a soft cloth / sponge and rub it lightly in a circular motion;
• Conduct a patch test on a less visible part to check how the oil or cream reacts with the leather;
• Once the patch is conditioned leave it for 24 hours to examine any changes in the leather color;
• The different absorption properties of each hide allow for unique textures and color variations;
• Use the cream as needed to lubricate and replenish the original suppleness and sheen of natural leather and ensure it is worked into the seams and remove any excess cream with the cloth;
• To waterproof it is recommended to first apply a care product to help lock moisture and keep the fibers of the skin supple. Only apply the waterproof content to areas that will be exposed;
• Never use products that contain Lanolin – often found in baby wipes.
  
  

Warning:
Applying any form of leather care products in the form of oil, cream, wax or polish will almost always warrant a change in the leather color and texture. So our advice as a product expert in Delphi Leather is to always do a patch test before applying to the whole leather product to see if you are happy with the outcome.

We want our clientele and customer database to reap benefits by being associated with us and hope the knowledge imparted helps you maintain the inventory in the manner you feel comfortable and confident while carrying the esteemed Delphi Leather products.