Choosing the perfect sofa can often seem a complex and bewildering experience. We try to make the whole process as easy and enjoyable as possible so I've created a list of the questions and answers that customers most frequently ask me. If however, there is something else you'd like to know, no matter how small it seems, please do get in touch and I'd be extremely happy to go through anything in more detail.
Stuart
What is the best way to clean leather?
For everyday use, a lightly damp white cloth is fine if you use neutral soap diluted with water. We would never recommend using a conditioner or anything with chemicals. Simply dusting the sofa and cleaning marks immediately will keep your sofa looking its best for years to come.
For additional cleaning it is also a good idea to get a specialist leather cleaning kit. This contains a cleaning liquid to use every 3-6 months to give your sofa a thorough clean, after which use the protective cream to help protect it against future spills. There is also an ink remover included, which as long as it is used quickly should help with any biro marks. We do have these in-store so just let us know if you need further information.
How durable is leather? I've got two young children and I'm afraid they'll spill drinks on it.
Leather is very durable! often much more so than fabric, and is therefore a great choice for families with young children. There are many different types of leather available, some are more treated than others and are exceptionally hard wearing. Always mention to the sales assistant that you have children so that they can advise you on which leathers are best for you. Don't worry if one of your children spills juice on the sofa, as long as you do it immediately, it can simply be wiped clean.
What do the different types and grades of leather mean?
This is a very common question as the array and variety of leather available can seem baffling. Leathers are often referred to in 'grades'. One of the ways in which grades are determined is due to the origin of the the leather. Hides from the Southern hemisphere tend to be slightly less supple and display more natural characteristics, i.e. marks and blemishes than hides from the northern hemisphere, as well as being more easily available. Therefore hides from the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more expensive. Grades are also categorised by the amount of blemishes on the hide, therefore those with less natural characteristics are rarer and usually more expensive.
If there is a mark on the sofa does that mean that it has a defect?
Leather is a completely natural product, very much like wood, which means that it's appearance will never be absolutely uniform or look man made. Therefore from time to time you may see the hides natural characteristics, such as blemishes or wrinkles, however these are not a defect of the leather rather an illustration of its quality and authenticity.
Our range of Natuzzi 'protecta' leather has been protected and processed to give a much more uniform feel to it, so would therefore have less natural marks, however our 'natural' range of leather has had a lot less treating and may show more natural characteristics as a result. These should be seen as a natural reflection of the hides quality.
What is the different between 'natural' and 'protected' leather and which would be better for me?
Our natural leather range has gone through a lot less treatment to encourage a more 'natural' feel with more organic characteristics and subtleties of shading. This is a beautifully traditional and natural type of finish, well suited for people where design and aesthetic is of the utmost importance.
If durability is a main priority then we would normally recommend the protected leather as its treatment has given it a much more uniform appearance and offers greater resistance against liquid spills and discolouration by sunlight. We would normally always recommend protected leather to those customers with young children or pets.
