FURNITURE Good care helps leather age well

Treat it right, and it will last many years.
SCRIPPS HOWARD
There's something luxurious about leather furniture. It feels rich to the touch and gives the owner a feeling of success. Leather furniture is an investment, so good maintenance is important.
Here are some dos and don'ts:
UAvoid seemingly harmless cleaners such as oil soap; it will stain and darken the leather. And mild soap, though gentle on dishwashing hands, will not only remove the dirt, it might just remove the color on the leather as well. Saddle soap might be good for that catcher's mitt, but steer clear of using it on leather furniture.
UMany leather manufacturers tell us not to use any soap or detergent, no matter how mild. We can use mild soap on our skin because our skin is still alive and will produce more oils that have been washed off with soap, while the leather sofa does not have that ability. Eventually the leather will become brittle, dry and damaged. Why not wash with soap and then apply oil? Because the oil will stain the leather.
UMany leather-cleaning products are made for shoe leather; fewer are available for the soft, subtle, luxurious leather that is used for furniture. General wear and tear alone will microscopically break away at the surface. If we don't add help on our part, or if we use the wrong cleaning solutions, the leather will not age well.
So we are still left with the question of how to care for leather.
UTo start with, avoid placing the furniture in direct sunlight. Virtually nothing is safe for long in the light and heat of the sun. And avoid extreme temperatures that would cause leather do dry and crack. If you are too cold or too hot in the room, so is the leather. Do not place leather next to air conditioners or radiators; this will increase drying.
UIf something should spill, blot it up quickly using absorbent, clean terry cloth towels or paper towels. If grease or oil should be spilled, use talcum powder or baking powder to help absorb it. There are specific furniture leather cleaners available from upper end furniture stores as well as from some manufacturers of leather furniture.
UIf leather furniture is brand new, protect it right off the bat with a professionally applied leather protector. There are products available for do-it-yourselfers on the after-market also. If the furniture is older, have it cleaned professionally and then apply the leather protector. Keep the furniture free of dust and occasionally wipe with a barely damp cloth.
You can expect leather to age well if it is given a good home with some routine care.