[Chris R]

I had a really bad leather suite to clean yesterday and although my usual leather cleaner was doing the job ( Chemspec ) it was slow going.

So I decided to have a go with solution number 3 microspliter.

WOW ! 

A light misting (from the 500ml spray bottle ) and a wipe with a towel and " hey presto" superb results !

It was so quick and easy to use, amazing.

Give it a go ( pre test first of course ), you will be surprised. 

I finished off with a quick clean with the chemspec product, just to be on the safe side,

ACE !

[Shaun_Ashmore]

It's that good when I once put some on a pigmented suite it took the finish off!

Test first if a leather suite has a shiny finish to it do the tried and trusted.

Shaun

[LTT Leathercare]

Microsplitters may well work OK on leather but there are still no long term results as to what they do to the finish.  Unless you know the potential harm a product can do and know how to check to see whether anything is happening how do you know that it is doing no damage?  Why not use products that have been tested properly and for years on leather so you know they are OK? 

Microsplitters are also a liquid and there is potential for causing streaking which may be unrepairable. 

If you are having problems with the cleaners you are using there are far more effective leather cleaners on the market.  Ones that work effectively mean that they do the work so that the process is fast and easy. 

Finishing off with your regular product after a microsplitter will not rectify any damage that the m/s has done as it will be too late and if there has been any damage to the finish adding a 'conditioner' and not a protector will only make matters worse.

If you are doing any insurance work you may also find that using products not specified for leather may cause problems with the insurance company.  If any damage has been caused it could come back to the incorrect use of cleaning products.

Regards
Judy

[vangaurd]

sound advice from judy , only use the correct, cleaner thats why it says for leather!

[gwrightson]

well they would say that wouldnt they,
I cleaned a 3 pc leather yesterday with m/s at 20-1  buffed up with autoglym leather conditioner,
custy well pleased , booked it in for next year " same time,same place" 
its all ive ever used, and dont intend changing.
But as Shaun quite correctly pointed out, tests are neccasary , but if all bodes well carry on.

Judy,
sorry but what detrimental effect could possiby occur with m/s ?, if you can drink the stuff , dont tell me its going to play havoc with leather

Geoff

[LTT Leathercare]

You can drink milk but I wouldn't recommend cleaning your leather with it!!! as some people seem to think you can.

Delamination could occur.  If you are using a tested leather product then we know that the fault is with the leather NOT our cleaners and the fault is often due to the use of incorrect cleaning products.

If you did have a problem such as delamination or removal of pigment when you were using an m/s where are you going to get advise from about how to rectify it? 

Unless you know what you are looking for how can you test the products? 

Using 'conditioners' are of no benefit whatsoever and may in some cases do harm.

Regards
Judy

[Glynn]

How about Croftgate leather cleaner Judy ?.
Think about this one.

[carpetguy]

I 've known people use saddle soap / fairy liquid / baby wipes, etc, etc and I,ve experimented over the years with many commercial products.

When I started cleaning leather about 20 years ago, I visited the local Tannery ( leather works ) and was told to use Lux flakes, as they were completely safe, but there are many new products around, developed for leather and worth the cost.

[Mike Roper]

I also have heard of and seen the damage caused by baby wipes , leather wipes etc and the latest - upvc cleaner on cream suite! Its all good for business making money out of putting them right.
I cant for the life of me understand why a 'professional' would dig their heels in and refuse to see sense but leave them selves wide open to problems.Just my opinion.
Mike

[Buster Ingram]

All sound advice as Judy say’s how do you know M/S will not affect the finish if the product has not been tested on leather??
Most suits I come across now the top coat has started to wear thin on the main seating areas so to apply M/S in the cleaning process will undoubtedly do damage to the pigment.
 Oh well from what I’m reading it looks like more work for those who know what they are doing.  :

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys,

It's worth remebering that you could clean a pigmented leather with many household products inc Fairy and Persil BUT these products may be too agressive.

If the top coat , probably polyurethane,  is damaged then you may strip the pigment or you may also remove some of the PU, making susequent pigment loss more likely.

Cheers

Doug

[LTT Leathercare]

Lux Flakes were fine 20 years ago as they were then pure soap, the same as Fairy Liquid.  Now they are both reformulated and contain a high percentage of salts to get the dishes and clothes cleaner and it is this that now causes the damage to finishes.  This has been verified for us by the manufacturers.

We are in constant daily contact with leather technicians all over the world who have problems that they are trying to fix which have been caused by incorrect cleaning products including, baby wipes, lux flakes, some leather wipes, furniture polish and all sorts of other so called leather products which have not been researched properly.  

Regards
Judy