Thick animals’ hides are typically split into two layers: the top grain split and the flesh split. The top grain split is referred as top grain leather and marketed as genuine leather. In a more precise sense, ‘genuine leather’ refers to any tanned animal hide where its original grain and fibrous structure remain intact.

Full grain leather is a type of top grain leather that has not been sanded or buffed, preserving its natural grain pattern, unique imperfections, and original skin texture. It is highly valued for its exceptional quality, authentic appearance, and luxurious feel. In contrast, other top grain leathers may undergo sanding to remove imperfections, resulting in a more uniform but less natural look.

Aniline is the most natural and absorbent type of full grain leather. As a top-grade leather, it is highly valued for its natural appearance, rich character, and soft, warm feel. This leather undergoes minimal treatment, allowing its original texture and unique markings to shine through, making it a luxurious choice for those who appreciate authenticity.

Nubuck leather is crafted from flawless hides that undergo a light sanding process, creating a soft, velvety texture. Similar to Aniline leather, only the highest-quality hides, free of visible scars or imperfections, are selected for Nubuck. This premium leather offers an exceptional tactile experience and outstanding breathability, making it a sough-after for those who value both luxury and comfort.

Vintage leather is a type of Aniline leather treated with oils and waxes to achieve a durable, modern and intentionally worn appearance. Also called as oiled leather, it develops patina over time, which is highly desirable, though it also scratches easily. Pull Up leather, not to be confused with PU (polyurethane) leather, is the nubuck equivalent of waxed leather.  Both finishes are commonly referred to as antique or distressed, adding character and depth to the leather’s appearance.

Semi-Aniline leather is a high-quality leather than retains the natural look and feel of Aniline leather but with added durability. It is treated with a light surface colour coating that offer protection while preserving the leather’s natural features, such as visible hair pores and subtle grain patterns. This balance of natural aesthetics and enhanced durability make Semi-Aniline a popular choice for those seeking both luxury and practicality.

Pigmented Top Grain leather, also known as Finished leather, is treated with a water-based colour coat on its surface. This treatment enhances the leather’s durability and resistance to stains, though it reduces the visibility of natural grain and hair pores. Despite this, it remains breathable and retains a comfortable tactile quality, making it a popular choice for high-use item like automotive interiors and furniture.  

Corrected Grain leather is a type of top grain leather that undergoes sanding to remove imperfections. It is then heavily coated with a water-based pigment colour, concealing the natural grain and hair pores. Corrected Grain leather goes through grain embossing to achieve a more uniform appearance, but lacks the softness, warmth and prestige of Pigmented Top Grain leather. It tends to feel stiffer and cooler to the touch, but easier to maintain.

Split leather is made from lower split part known as flesh split. It is typically coated with a colour film to become Coated Split leather, or embossed with a grain pattern which is known as Embossed Split leather. When a lamination film is applied, it’s referred as Laminated leather. PU leather, a type of split leather, is designed to imitate the appearance of antique finishes.

The quickest way to distinguish between genuine and split leathers is to examine the leather under a camera to look for hair pores. Genuine leather will have irregular grain patterns, while split leather often shows a uniform pattern. However, it’s important to note that Corrected Grain leather can also have a uniform grain pattern. When pinched, genuine leather feels thicker due to its denser fibrous structure, while split leather typically feels colder and stiffer.

In practice, distinguishing between genuine and split leathers can be challenging, even for experts. For example, it’s nearly impossible to differentiate between Corrected Grain and Embossed Split leathers by look and touch alone. For a more in-dept understanding, explore our guide, “Excuse me, is this Genuine Leather?”.

Yes, genuine leather can last a lifetime with proper care and regular maintenance, far outlasting split and artificial leathers. Durable types, like Vintage leather, can even be passed down to the next generation, maintaining their charm and character over time.

Although leather is a by-products of meat production, transforming raw skin into tanned skin involves at least 38 processes. Premium top grain leathers, like Aniline, are selected from only flawless hides – just 5% of the hides meet the stringent criteria. This extensive craftmanship and the rarity of high-quality hides make genuine leather a valuable and sometimes expensive material.

The price of an Aniline sofa can vary widely – what’s the difference between a $5,000, $15,000 and $50,000 Aniline sofa? Beyond brand and design, key factor is leather quality. A leather’s quality is influenced by factors such as its husbandry, diet, activities, climate and age. Even within same hide, quality can vary as well.

Top grain leather is generally very tear resistance, but factors like poor diet or old age can result in loose fibre density, making the leather less desirable and available at a lower price. Since a sofa typically requires 6-7 hides, choosing top-quality Aniline leather, combined with the demand for grain matching, can significant increase costs. Conversely, upholstering a sofa with lower-quality hides from different batches is more cost-efficient.

For more details, explore our guide, “Excuse me, is this Genuine Leather?”.

When purchasing top grain leather, it’s essential to be informed. Terms like “napa leather,” “cow skin,” or “Italian hide” don’t necessarily guarantee genuine leather. For example, pigmented top grain leather is sometimes misrepresented as Semi-Aniline leather. Additionally, be aware that some furniture pieces may feature genuine leather only on contact points, with coated split leather used in non-contact areas. Always request a detailed description of the leather on your invoice to ensure transparency.

One common myth is that “Top grain leather is so good that it doesn’t need any maintenance, except for occasional wipe with damp cloth.”. This misconception can lead to premature wear as dirt and oil get to build-up. Like silk, top grain leather is delicate and require regular care. Fortunately, there are now simple and effortless ways to keep it looking its best.

Like silk, top grain leather is prized for its luxurious feel and appearance, but it does require regular upkeep to preserve its value. The good news is that maintaining it doesn’t have to be difficult. With a convenient spray-and-wipe solution for weekly cleanings and a professional deep maintenance treatment every one to two years, you can keep your top grain leather looking and feeling its best with minimal effort. 

The short answer is yes, you should DIY for regular care. You know your leather best, and a simple weekly spray-and-wipe routine can effectively prevent dirt and oil build-up. For leather aficionados seeking a higher standard of care, there’s a range of professional-grade products available for at-home use.

Do’s:

1.     Use Specialised Cleaner: Choose cleaners specially formulated for porous and non-porous leathers to ensure compatibility and effectiveness.

2.     Opt for pH-Balanced Products: pH-neutral cleaners are best for leather cleaning. Strong alkaline cleaners or solvent-based cleaners are aggressive and can cause damage.

3.     Use the Right Tools: Leather can be effectively clean using soft sponge and a leather brush.

4.     Clean Seam to Seam: Always clean from seam to seam to avoid creating visible lines or transitional damage.

Don’t’s:

1.     Avoid Melamine Foam: Don’t use melamine foam, except when improving the nap of nubuck and suede, as it can be too abrasive for other leathers.

2.     Avoid Wet Cleaning: Do not over-wet the leather, as excessive moisture can cause water damage, especially on porous types.

3.     Steer Clear of Harsh Chemicals: Avoid harsh chemicals that can strip the leather’s finish and lead premature aging as well as accelerating colour loss. Also, saddle soap is not suitable for cleaning leather as it is an alkaline cleaner as leather has a more acidic pH value.

4.     Don’t Use Heat: Avoid drying leather with hot air or exposing it to direct sunlight, as this can cause shrinking. Use cool air from hair dryer instead.

As a general rule, condition high-use areas like driver’s seat or the recliner part of a sofa every 3-6 months. For porous leathers, apply deep treatment like UV Filter and Antioxidant annually. Always make sure to thoroughly clean the leather before conditioning to ensure optimal absorption and effectiveness.

Top grain leather is more tear-resistant than split and artificial leathers, but protection is key to ensuring longevity. Porous leathers should be safeguarded against UV fading and spills, while light-coloured non-porous leathers need protection against dye transfer and wear abrasion. Knowing how to care for your leather is essential, and you can learn more in our guide, “Excuse me, is this Genuine Leather?”.