After days of blissful sunshine, the folks in the U.K. and in Ireland have been greeted with days of rain. This means that homeowners are once again a risk of having their homes, including their leather furniture, sustain water damage. Aside from prolonged exposure to sunlight, subjecting your leather furniture to the rain can also cause it to dry out and be damaged.
Leather Damage from Water
Leather contains millions of microscopic fibres that are lubricated by natural oils. These natural oils, which are present while the animal is alive, are washed away and replaced with other oils during the tanning process. Once water penetrates the leather, it interacts with the aforementioned oils and brings the oils to the surface.
Gradually, these added oils evaporate, drying out the leather and weakening the bond between the microscopic fibres. Once these fibres completely weaken, the leather stiffens and cracks. Though applying oil into the leather returns the furniture’s suppleness, nothing can restore its strength.
First Aid against Water Damage
When faced with potential water damage, most homeowners are quick to bring the leather close to a source of heat so that it dries. Unfortunately, doing so only hastens the rate of evaporation, which, in turn, makes your leather furniture more likely to crack. Instead, keep your leather furniture in a cool and dry place, and rub a pH-balanced leather conditioner into its surface.
If you’re unsure what to do next, trust the leather cleaning professionals to deal with your leather furniture. After their work is done, you’ll see your leather furniture back to its original beauty.
Sources:
What Should You Do When Your Leather Furniture Gets Wet?, eHow
Leather contains millions of microscopic fibres that are lubricated by natural oils. These natural oils, which are present while the animal is alive, are washed away and replaced with other oils during the tanning process. Once water penetrates the leather, it interacts with the aforementioned oils and brings the oils to the surface.
Gradually, these added oils evaporate, drying out the leather and weakening the bond between the microscopic fibres. Once these fibres completely weaken, the leather stiffens and cracks. Though applying oil into the leather returns the furniture’s suppleness, nothing can restore its strength.
First Aid against Water Damage
When faced with potential water damage, most homeowners are quick to bring the leather close to a source of heat so that it dries. Unfortunately, doing so only hastens the rate of evaporation, which, in turn, makes your leather furniture more likely to crack. Instead, keep your leather furniture in a cool and dry place, and rub a pH-balanced leather conditioner into its surface.
If you’re unsure what to do next, trust the leather cleaning professionals to deal with your leather furniture. After their work is done, you’ll see your leather furniture back to its original beauty.
Sources:
What Should You Do When Your Leather Furniture Gets Wet?, eHow