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Judy B November 30, 2010 at 9:47 am

Please ensure first that this is Nubuck and not one of the very good imitations that are on the market.Because Nubuck is very sensitive leather it is essential to follow a strict maintenance regime to ensure the leather retains its look and soft texture.If you have allowed your furniture to become excessively dirty (high use areas have become matted down and taken on a dark slimy appearance) it is advisable to contact a cleaning specialist to restore your furniture before continuing with the process outlined below.All Nubuck should be treated with Waterstop from the outset. High use areas (arms, seats and backs) should be lightly vacuumed regularly, taking care not to scratch the surface.We do not recommended any ‘wet’ cleaning product for general cleaning as it is a difficult process and should be left to an experienced cleaner.What can be done is a regular treatment with a Napping Brush and Nubuck Cloth. This is a simple, effective and safe way to care for Nubuck leather.ITEMS REQUIRED: Nubuck Cleaning Kit: (Napping brush, Nubuck Cloth, Sponge (ideal size150mmx75mmx75mm,Waterstop)PROCESS: The first step is to break up the surface fibres with the Napping Brush. This is especially important on areas that have become matted with body oils.You can be quite aggressive with the napping brush but keep it moving so that you do not over scrub one spot.Then unfold and flatten out the Nubuck Cleaning Cloth. This should then be wrapped tightly, smoothly and evenly around the sponge. Ideally what you should end up with is a smooth, even cylinder approx. 35-40mm in diameter. (If you make a mess of your first attempt undo and try again)*What you have created is a ‘tack roll’ that you will draw across the surface of the leather. In doing so the roll removes dirt from the pile of the Nubuck. This action should be repeated gently and evenly in all directions across the surface (if you clean only in one direction you will clean only one side of the pile).Set the nap with a dry sponge.After this process a light spray with Waterstop is recommended, particularly in the high use areas.General notes:Spillages and marks on Nubuck should be attended to as quickly as possible. Wet spillages should be blotted gently from the surface, do not be tempted to rub, as you will force the spillage deeper into the leather. Once you have blotted out as much as you can, assess what remains. The next step, if you decide it is required, would be a wet cleaning process and should ideally be carried out before the original spill has dried out.Use Leather Shampoo on a sponge to damp the affected area (always treat the whole panel of leather not just the area – Nubuck ‘watermarks’ very easily) and again blot with paper towel or dry cloth. Repeat this process several times before drying with a hairdryer. When thoroughly dry re-nap with a dry sponge. Treat with Waterstop.Heavier spills, foodstuffs etc. should be gently scraped off with a blunt knife. Then gently wipe over with Nubuck foam and sponge (as above). Dry, re-nap and protect.The Nubuck Cleaning Cloth can be used in most circumstances for dirty scuffmarks, ink, any dry marks etc. It may not be effective but it will not create further damage or exacerbate the problem. Never attempt to remove marks on Nubuck with solvent cleaners. They will only dissolve the dirt and drive it deeper into the leather.*Once the ‘Nubuck roll’ has become excessively dirty it can be unrolled and reused making use of both sides.Re-dying nubuck is a very tricky process although it can be done but does not make it any less porous etc.

James H November 30, 2010 at 10:08 pm

One of my babies had the same problem. The Vet called them “hot spots” I took her to the Vet and he said break a fish oil capsule in her food. I did and they went away in about a week.

jackie b December 1, 2010 at 9:50 am

try using regular white table salt wet fabric and pour on salt and scrub with brush. Ive heard the meat tenderiser will remove blood, but I never tried it

Judy B December 1, 2010 at 9:41 pm

Oils should definitely NOT be used on leather furniture and will cause long term damage if left on the surface. If they soak into the leather (aniline style leathers) it will leave grease patches which cannot be removed.

PooPooLaTrash December 2, 2010 at 10:20 am

Take them to court. http://www.canlaw.com/scc/smallclaims.htm

J C December 2, 2010 at 9:36 pm

He is expressing his anal glands – he is not “spraying” because he’s not neutered. No matter what method is used to neuter a cat, the end result is the same. He has no balls, they were removed. A cat can express their anal glands when they become full – and in some cats this is a chronic problem and they actually *remove* those anal glands. Take him to the vet and see what he suggests. Getting angry at him for what may be an uncomfortable physical problem accomplishes nothing.

Judy B December 3, 2010 at 9:36 am

Please Please DO NOT use any type of oils or waxes on your leather. It is very foolhardy to try any household products that have not been tested for use on leather as you can actually create far more problems that sometimes cannot be fixed.Waxes and oils leave residueson the surface of leather which will attract more dirt which will ultimately destroy your leather. It is far more cost effective to use proper products which have been tested than to have to pay out for expensive repairs.Leather care products will probably cost you between £15 – £30.00 but should do the job 2 – 3 times if not more. Please make sure you buy reputable products made by a large factory based company who can also give very good technical help if requied.You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner. DO NOT use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones. (Most ‘conditioners’ contain waxes or oils) and furniture type polish contains silicones which will very easily damage the finish on the leather.BABY WIPES are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkiline cleaners to neutralise urine (acid) on babys skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.Saddle soap is too harsh to use on a leather handbag.A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it. Fairy liquid contains more salt these days to get dishes clean and this will break the finish down on your leather. This has been verified by the manufacturers (as with the baby wipes).You should also follow cleaning with a good water based leather protector which will act like a ’scotchgard’ and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time. Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. Wiping over with a damp cloth regularly will help to do this. It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of dirt and oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this.The alternative is a brand new product on the market called Lazy Leather. This is the latest technology in cleaning and combines an effective cleaner with a protector. It is quick and easy to use and should be used as a maintenance product.Source(s):www.LTTsolutions.netLeather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries

badhabyt December 3, 2010 at 9:39 pm

Xylene and hydrofluorocarbons have been used. There are also ethers that can be used. d-Limonene and pinenes are also popular substitutes.

Penny December 4, 2010 at 10:05 am

Darkening is a natural aging process for leather.

messy_beast December 4, 2010 at 10:05 pm

It’s never too late to start clipping claws. Even if you started claw-clipping when the cat was a kitten you would still have to clip them every few weeks. It may take a while for the cat to get used to having its claws clipped.The nail caps are humane and some owners find the different colours fun to use as well.I’m guessing the scratching in this case is largely to mark territory rather than strop the claws. Is your scratching post upright or flat (like a doormat)? Some cats that don’t use the upright type are happier using the doormat type scratching mats.

Amy G December 5, 2010 at 9:54 am

spray the furniture you don’t want clawed with citrus scent.cats dont like citrus scent. DO NOT DECLAW THEM WHATEVER YOU DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Judy B December 5, 2010 at 9:40 pm

The problem is that the oil has damaged the surface finish on your leather and is removing the top coat. It is not the leather itself but the finish that you can see coming off.If the problem is getting worse even with a damp cloth then anything else is not going to resolve the problem other than getting it looked at professionally.If you are in the UK you can send us a photo and we will analyse the situation and advise accordingly.Otherwise it would be best to get a qualified technician out as any household remedies could make it very costly to fix.Hope we can help

annieR December 6, 2010 at 9:55 am

Oils should not be used on leather furniture so this is not recommended. Try a water pistol every time they go near the furniture and this will deter them from going near it.I am a leather consultant and a cat lover and owner

Judy B December 6, 2010 at 10:31 pm

Aniline restoration is very successful and it may be possible to darken the colour depending on how much it has faded.The products used are aniline dyes which are the products that were used during the tanning process and it may be possible to do the work yourself depending again on the level of fading.The stains and grease areas may not dissappear altogether but will blend in and not look so obvious.Aniline dyes are available from LTT together with instructions for the process. On aniline leather you should also use a strong protector (Ulttra Protect) as this will inhibit fading and reduce the staining.