FAQs
How long will it take me to get my goods?
We deliver overnight into Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Adelaide and Perth a 2-3 day service. All other services are overnight or 2-3 day services.
What is the conversion from fabric to leather?
The normal conversion factor is 1.6. For instance, if a fabric lounge takes 25 lineal metres of plain fabric, then it will take approximately 40m2 of leather
Can all fabric lounges be made in leather?
This will always depend on whether the manufacturer has the expertise to work in leather and if so, whether the patterns have been developed for leather. It is highly dependent on the manufacturer of the lounge.
Can I buy half a hide?
Yes. However, this will depend on the colour and article chosen. Half hides do occasionally occur in the production process so please inquire and we will let you know at the time of your inquiry.
How big is each hide?
Each hide varies according to the different articles sold, seasonal variation in cattle sizes and origin of raw material. Please check each article for the average hide size.
If the raw material is Australian and the leather is tanned in Italy, is it Australian leather or Italian leather?
The answer is Italian. Regardless of where the raw material is sourced, the processing of the hide is called leather tanning. It does not become leather until the proper processing is completed. Therefore, if the rawhides are processed and turned into leather in Italy, it is deemed to be Italian made leather.
Caring For Your Leather
Tips in caring for your leather
Leather is virtually maintenance free, provided that it is cared for properly. If you follow these simple instructions, your leather furniture should last a very long time. If you need to clean your leather, Leather Italia in Australia supply a quality leather cleaning product that will meet all your maintenance needs. Read below for instructions or call us on 02 4872 2252. These rules are suggestions based on a wide variety of common problems and situations that can occur in and around leather furniture.
Pets
Common pets such as cats and dogs can be very hazardous to leather. They can have very sharp claws and some animals like to use furniture as scratching items to keep their claws sharp and healthy. Also, some pets will generally have sharp claws and just by being on the leather, they can scratch the surface of the leather very easily and leave permanent scratches just by being on the leather.
The second common problem is where a pet is allowed to sleep or rest on leather furniture. Some pets are fed highly processed food (full of preservatives) and this causes the natural oils within the animal’s skin to react with the top surface coat of the leather and over time, cause the leather to break down in the area where the animal is sleeping. If your animal sits on leather furniture, put a blanket or cushion between your pet and the leather and try to avoid direct contact.
Direct skin contact
Generally speaking, the average ph of human skin is acidic (ph 4-5.0). Therefore, prolonged direct contact with leather will accelerate the breakdown of the surface of lacquer that acts as a protective barrier. Additionally, human sweat is very acidic and will even further accelerate this process.
Normally, leather will start to discolour in areas that have been in contact with human skin. For instance, at the front of the arm of a chair or sofa and in the headrest area. This is very common. Please avoid direct contact if skin is sweaty.
Medication can cause the ph of the human skin to alter and therefore cause a breakdown in the leather. If taking medication, please avoid direct contact with the leather.
Saltwater and Chlorine
Saltwater from swimming pools and / or chlorine is very harmful to leather. Please avoid sitting on leather furniture with clothes or skin that has come into contact with swimming pool water. This will cause discolouration very quickly.
Sharp Objects
Sharp objects such as jewellery, belt buckles, shoes, watches etc. can all cause harm to your leather. Please be careful when using leather furniture to ensure nothing sharp will catch and cause damage to the leather.
Sunlight
Natural light will cause the leather colour to change over time. The brighter the room, the quicker the time it will take for the leather colour to change. Light is intensified when it passes through glass so avoid having direct sunlight on leather, particularly if the sunlight is passing through a window. This will cause possible discolouration very quickly.
Maintenance and Care
Directions of use of our Leather cleaner.
Regular cleaning with the Leather Italia leather cleaner is advised particularly if the furniture is in regular use.
Apply a small amount of the leather cleaner to an area which is not seen. (e.g. the base of the inside arm below the cushion line). This will serve as a pre testing area.
It is important to clean a whole panel rather than just one spot for a more consistent finish. Circular movements are preferable to back and forth strokes ‘rubbing’. Clean excess cleaner with a damp cloth and leave to dry for 30 minutes. Use a damp cloth and warm water to remove dust and use the cleaner sparingly.