Shopping for furniture can be a bit confusing as there are different kinds of leather, different levels of quality and, of course, different price points. And buying the most expensive furniture doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to get the best and longest lasting piece. By being a knowledgeable shopper you can get the best deal possible and find a quality piece of furniture that will always look good, feel comfortable and last forever.

Unfortunately many furniture stores hire people who don’t know that much about the furniture or they’re working on commission and will throw a lot of jargon your way to confuse you. The best way to combat this is by educating yourself and learning something about the terms used when referring to these types furniture.

Top Grain

Leather is not simply the hide of an animal, hides are actually split in two pieces with the outer layer, the part you’d consider the skin, is called top grain leather. Top grain is the best quality and most supple and durable. Look for top grain if it falls within your price range as it’s the better quality product.

Split

Split is the counterpart to top grain as it is the underside of the skin which is on the inside of the animal’s hide. Split is usually pieced together and less durable and more stiff than top grain leather. Split is also usually dyed more heavily which makes it stiffer but its generally the only choice you have if you want an unusual colored piece of furniture.

Aniline Finish

Is a one dye process and little or no buffing and work is done to repair imperfections. Analine finishes are applied to the best pieces of top grain leather as these pieces look the best naturally and in this case it’s the real natural beauty of the hide that you want to shine through.

Semi-Aniline Finish

A semi-aniline finish means the hide has gone through a series of dying and surface treatments. These processes come with benefits and pitfalls. The benefits with a semi-aniline finish are that you can get some great colors and there is more protection from staining and wear so its great if you have children or pets. But semi-aniline is stiffer, less comfortable and won’t develop the great patina that aniline finishes will over time.

Nubuck

Nubuck is a top grain leather that has had the outside surface sanded or buffed to create a nap and a velvet type feeling. Some may confuse nubuck with suede but suede comes from the inside of a leather hide, nubuck is the outside meaning its stronger and more durable. Nubuck is typically expensive but it is one of the most durable types of leather available.

Pull-Up

Pull-up is coated with a heavy wax or oil on the surface which gives the furniture piece a distressed look over time. These pieces are generally very attractive, especially over time but they do tend to have a slippery feel and are susceptible to scratches and faded butt marks.

Match

Be wary of salespeople who toss around the phrase match without fully explaining to you that it means there are actual pieces in the most notable places, but the other spots (backs and underside of cushions) are made of vinyl that is dyed to match. Match is good if you’re on a limited budget and not planning on keeping the piece forever. But if you want a quality piece of furniture that will last a lifetime and will fade and age evenly, match is not for you.

If you know these terms and understand what you’re looking for it will make the leather furniture shopping process much easier and you’re more likely to get the performance out of your leather furniture that you were hoping for. Don’t let the store you’re shopping at try to confuse you with terms, if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed or think something shady is going on, leave the store. You can either go home and research the jargon that you heard so you know what you’re getting or go to a different store where you feel more comfortable. Furniture is expensive and meant to be a long term purchase so don’t feel pressured and rushed and don’t let someone confuse you into purchasing an inferior product.

An old-fashioned leather chair is a beautiful add-on to any classic decor, and it is advisable to ensure that you keep it looking as clean and supple as the day you brought it home. Fortunately, it’s easier than you may think to take care of your antique leather chair. Here are some simple methods for preserving your new-to-you prize.

Antique Leather Chair Maintenance Tips

Leather is a very versatile fabric, and has been used since antiquity for a variety of reasons. From clothing to footwear to furniture, leather is durable, attractive to the eye, and amazing to look at.

It does however, demand some special attention. Leather comes from a selection of places, and as such there are a corresponding number of different leather cleaners available. It’s best if you know precisely what your antique leather chair is made of. Is it cow or buffalo? Sheep skin perhaps?

If you intend to use a professional leather cleaner, then you’ll want to be sure that it will work as needed on the type of antique leather chair you have.

You can get professional leather cleaners, and that is of course the simplest way to do it… if you don’t mind hauling your antique leather chair around town to their premises. Some might be willing to come to your house to clean, then again unless you’ve got a lot of leather furnishings it is usually not really worth the expense.

Cleaning Your Chair By Yourself

You can make your own leather cleaner easily at home. It is not only more cost-effective, but the recipes eliminate the need for separate cleaning and conditioning of your antique leather chair.

Leather Cleaner: mix together 1 part regular white vinegar, and 2 parts either raw/food quality linseed oil or neat’s foot oil. Neat’s foot oil is oil rendered from an animal. Simply rub it on with a lint-free towel, leave it through the night, and then buff the very next day.

Mildew Removal: mix identical portions of rubbing alcohol and water, and just spray right on any mildew. Allow it to dry out naturally. You can make use of a fan to help you speed up the task.

Getting Rid Of Stains From The Antique Leather Chair

While not all stains can be removed, here are some home remedies to try. Most small stains can be treated with toothpaste. Scrub it in and then wipe it away. Ink stains go when wiped with non-acetone nail polish cleaner. For difficult stains, apply hairspray right on it and then clean off (use aerosol, never pump sprays). For water staining, try rubbing mayonnaise into the stain and allowing it to lay a couple of hours before wiping it off.

With all these basic tips, your antique leather chair will stay looking as good as new!