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View Full Version : Nubuck: Dog Drool Stain: How to Clean and Protect this Sofa, Chair and Ottoman and keep it looking nice longer…Question by M.C.



Roger Koh
10-02-2009, 10:23 AM
We had a client yesterday that asked about cleaning their sofa, upholstered chair and ottoman.

It is unprotected.

It has only dog drool on it for stains, no urine.

It looks to be just worn.

How would this be cleaned and could it be protected to keeps it looking nice longer?

If so, what would we need and what quantity, and how much $?

Thanks for your time

M.C.

#1
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/LeatherSofa005.jpg


#2
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/LeatherSofa001.jpg


#3
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn4/Rogerkoh/LeatherSofa012.jpg

Roger Koh
10-02-2009, 10:55 AM
Leather Identification:

This unprotected leather could most probable be nubuck by looking at picture #3.

Nubuck has very fine nap that produce a “finger writing effect”.

Aniline leathers by the way are protected as it has its smooth topcoat usually with anilineTop79M.

So we shall discuss its restoration based on Nubuck leather type.

Again, there are variety of nubuck with pull-up effect be it oil or wax.

Anyway, this looks like a standard nubuck.


Stains Identification:

The stains in Picture #1 show aged, old penetrated oily stains.

Old oily stains that have hydrolyze and oxidized with produce a yellowing/browning effect that need to be further rectified with a fluorescent whitening agent.

There is also a change in texture as compared to picture #3.

If this is confirmed nubuck, the nap has to be revived using nubuckEraser5 to the original finger writing effect.


Level of Cleaning:

This is a salvage cleaning attempt and the recommended procedure is as follows:

1] Degreasing
Use d’Grease2.2 > rinse3.0 with nubuckBrush2 + nubuckEraser5 + Absorbent Towel + Wet Vacuum Extract.

2] Fatliquoring System
Use hydrator3.3 > fatliquor5.0 > rinse3.0

3] Fluorescent Whitening Treatment
Use d’Yellow6.7

4] A Non-stick Silky-feel conditioning with a Classic Leather Scent.
Use leatherScent’S

We shall talk about the techniques the next posting if you are taking up this challenge!

Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®

mcharles
10-02-2009, 04:47 PM
Intresting that you use the phrase "salvage cleaning attempt."

That never sounds good.

What could they have done to prevent this damage, or prevent it in the future if the damage is restored?

In the quick conversation that I had with the owner, he seems to believe that this is a routine cleaning - probably by talking to the salesperson who sold them the set.

Please continue with the info on the process to restore these pieces.

Roger Koh
10-02-2009, 06:29 PM
A “salvage cleaning attempt” sounds good to me.

Picture #1 show that this absorbent leather has been subjected to abnormal or abusive soiling or staining.

Salvage cleaning techniques may involve a combination of methods and procedures that go beyond the normal cleaning procedure.

It requires professional judgment and experience to restore this absorbent leather to a clean and acceptable state.

And since it has animal bodily fluid, sterilizing with a bactericide is to be considered for health reason too.

Is there a need to deodorize?

This is a salvage cleaning attempt and the recommended procedure is as follows:

1] Degreasing
Use d’Grease2.2 > d’Odor4.5 (optional) > rinse3.0 with nubuckBrush2 + nubuckEraser5 + razor60 + Absorbent Towel + Wet Vacuum Extract.

1A] Structural Cleaning the Deep Penetrated Stains
Use hydrator3.3 to soak-up the leather structure thickness.
While still wet lay tissue paper or toilet rolls 2 to 3 layers and spray wet with hydrator3.3 to make it skin tight without bubbles.
Lay terry towel or bath towel over and cover-up with plastic sheet to prevent evaporation overnight.
This dwelling process allows water movement within the leather inter-fibrillary spaces that moves the suspended soil particulates to the extended leather surface “tissue paper”.
Using the leather-safe hydrator3.3 pH 3.3 is an effective way to extract stains from the leather structure safely without need to resort to complicated specialty leather spotting agents.

1B] Specialty Spotting
If after degreasing and hydrating there may still be possible unknown stains.
Protein stains is usually dark brown and feel stiff that requires d’Protein11.0 > acidifier2.0
If the leather feels tacky or slimy it has been exposed to alkaline stains that requires acidfier2.0.
Tanning stains may require d’Tanning3.5.
Blood Stains may require d’Blood9.9 > d’Tarnish1.3 > razor60.

1C] Sterilizing (optional)
Use d’Bacteria3.7

2] Fatliquoring System
When stains are satisfactorily removed it is now the process of softening the leather
Use hydrator3.3 > fatliquor5.0 > rinse3.0.

3] Fluorescent Whitening Treatment (optional)
Use d’Yellow6.7 to remove hydrolyze or oxidized oily stains.

4] A Non-stick Silky-feel conditioning with a Classic Leather Scent.
Use leatherScent’S

This is definitely a salvage cleaning attempt!

So better prepare for surprises and hope it is as easy as routine cleaning!


Roger Koh
Leather Doctor®