How to clean and protect unfinished Leather ?

Answer 1

My dad used Neatsfoot oil. Tandy Leather has some alternatives:
http://www.tandyleather.com/

Answer 2

Unfinished leather (aniline styles) have little or no protective coating on them. You should use a water based leatehr protector from day one. This will act like a scotchgard and onhibit dirt and oils from soaking into the leather. Make sure you use one that works as many on the markets (often called conditioners) will do little to protect it.

Wipe over with a damp cloth every 2 weeks or so and then use a foam leather cleaner evey 2-3 months. Replace leather protector when you clean. If this regime is followed your sofa should last a long time but if you do not it cna looked wrecked in about 6 months.

Aniline leathers will always fade over time. Products are available (aniline dyes) that will put the colour back in. They are easy to use but make sure you get them from a professional supplier who can give you the technical advice you need to use them.

Beware of products on the supermarket shelves or internet that do not come from professional suppliers as many of them are at best mainly water and at worst things that will over tiem damage your leather. Please do not use neatsfoot oil or any other oils as this could cause a lot of problems.

Answer 3

You really should contact a professional leather cleaning company.. Most poeple that attempt cleaning these leathers make them worse.. Check out the links on these pages here >

Leather Service Links > http://www.mobileleatherservice.com/LeatherLinksNEW.html