What is Bonded Leather?

So you’ve recently purchased bonded leather furniture or are considering it and want to know how to care for it. Bonded leather gives you the look and feel of genuine leather at a great price. The quality of these products has really come a long way, offering all kinds of textures, colors, and styles, fooling even the most discriminating eye. Bonded leather is made from ground up pieces of leather held together by an adhesive and coated with polyurethane to protect and give the look of leather. These products can contain anywhere from 10-99% leather, the remainder being fibers and adhesives. Bycast leather is similar; it is scraps of leather coated with polyurethane to bind together.

How to Care for Bonded Leather?

  • Never use a harsh cleaner or alcohol based cleaner to clean bonded leather. Do not use a colored cloth to clean bonded leather as the color in the fabric may transfer to the leather.
  • Periodically vacuum with a soft brush to remove crumbs, dust, and fibers.
  • For spills, blot area with a clean white cloth as soon as possible.
  • For regular cleaning, use a small bowl of lukewarm water; dip a clean cloth in water, wringing out excess water thoroughly. Wipe the bonded leather to remove dust, dirt, and grime.
  • Apply 1 tablespoon of leather conditioner to a clean cloth. Massage evenly into bonded leather, taking extra time to focus on most used areas.
  • Make sure to wipe off any excess conditioner and allow it to dry so not to get on clothing.

The benefits of bonded leather are that you get the look and feel of genuine leather, and as you can see, it’s easy to care for. With proper care, you can keep your bonded leather looking great for years to come!