Care and maintenance
General information
All our articles have been made by hand and as a result there may be some irregularities. We don’t consider these defects, but rather sign of quality and proof that they have been lovingly hand crafted, which enhances the uniqueness of the item.
In order to preserve the original look and feel of the products, we recommend that you follow these instructions.
Leather
General
Where possible, do not place leather products in direct sunlight or close to heat sources such as radiators or wood-burning stoves.
Regularly vacuum your leather products with a soft brush, and avoid using detergents and sharp implements.
August Sandgren uses goat, cow and calf leather. All three are aniline leathers, made from raw hides of the highest quality. The leather has a completely natural bare surface, where markings are visible. This highlights the unique character of the leather, while giving the exclusive material a rustic charm. The leather’s natural grain structure is preserved, which means that it “breathes”. Over time, daylight and use give the leather its own unique character and a beautiful patina. Saddle leather has the same properties and is maintained in a similar way.
Cleaning goat, cow and calf leather
If larger stains have occurred:
- Use 50 ml of soap flakes for each litre of water. Stir the soap flakes into hot water until they are completely dissolved.
- When the water has cooled to room temperature, work the lather into the leather with a soft cloth. It is important that you only use the lather from the solution and don’t soak the leather.
- Once the product is dry, polish the leather with a soft cotton cloth.
If thorough cleaning is necessary, we recommend using a solution of boiled water and mild, natural, good-quality soap flakes to clean leather products.
Textiles
General
With time, dust and dirt can damage fabrics causing them to wear, change colour, lose their fire-retardant properties and degrade their storage capabilities. That’s why cleaning and maintenance is highly recommended to keep August Sandgren’s products in good condition and prolong their lifespan.
We recommend that you vacuum upholstered products regularly (possibly on low power depending on the strength of your vacuum cleaner).
Stain removal
Accidents happen, but it is important to try and remove stains immediately.
Marks from thick or solid substances (for example wax or chewing gum) should be scraped off as much as possible with a blunt knife or spatula before further treatment. Vacuum dry stains to remove loose particles before any other steps are taken.
For liquid spills, blot the area with an absorbent, clean cloth before further cleaning.
Non-oily marks can initially be removed by carefully dabbing them with a clean, non-fluffy cloth or a sponge dipped in warm water, then wrung out. Remove the stain working from the outer edge and in toward the centre. Grease stains can be removed with suitable stain removers. We always recommend that you test your upholstery fabric cleaner on an inconspicuous area first before using it on the rest of the item.
Do not use excessive force when rubbing the fabric, as this can damage it and cause it to fade.
To avoid discolouration to the microfibres in the upholstery fabric, dry the material with a hair dryer after cleaning. Make sure that the fabric is completely dry before you start using it again.
Be careful with the use of solvents as they can dissolve the underlying upholstery materials. Furthermore, don’t use undiluted detergents, bleaching agents, ammonia and soaps intended for hard surfaces on upholstery fabrics.
Cleaning
In general, products exposed to normal commercial use should be cleaned two or three times a year. Products in private homes don’t normally need to be cleaned as often.
We do not recommend using stain-resistant treatments on wool upholstery fabrics, as wool is naturally dirt resistant.
Proper maintenance and regular cleaning removes dirt before it accumulates in the upholstery fabric and can significantly extend the lifespan of your product.
