Australian Leather Type Identifier Card
Your pocket guide to identifying and caring for leather furniture
Save • Print • Share
🪑 Leather Type Identifier
Australian Climate Edition
© Furniture Care Products Australia
furniturecareproducts.com.au
🧪 The 30-Second Water Test
Instructions: Place ONE drop of water on a hidden area of your leather
Absorbs in 1-3 seconds
→ ANILINE (Premium, needs special care)
Absorbs in 3-10 seconds
→ SEMI-ANILINE (Lightly protected)
Water beads, doesn’t absorb
→ PIGMENTED (Fully protected)
Darkens immediately
→ NUBUCK/SUEDE (Special care)
Feels like plastic
→ BI-CAST/PU (Synthetic coating)
✋ The Touch Test
Warm, soft, natural
→ ANILINE
Slightly cool, soft
→ SEMI-ANILINE
Cool, consistent texture
→ PIGMENTED
Fuzzy, velvety
→ NUBUCK/SUEDE
Cold, plastic-like
→ BI-CAST/PU
Colour changes when stretched
→ PULL-UP
🧴 Quick Care Guide
ANILINE
- Clean: Specialist cleaners only
- Condition: Every 2-3 months
- ⚠️ No water or household cleaners
- 💰 Most expensive to maintain
SEMI-ANILINE
- Clean: Gentle leather cleaner
- Condition: Every 3 months
- ✅ Some water resistance
- 👍 Good balance of beauty/durability
PIGMENTED
- Clean: Any leather cleaner
- Condition: Every 4-6 months
- ✅ Family & pet friendly
- 💪 Most durable type
NUBUCK/SUEDE
- Clean: Dry brush only
- Protect: Spray monthly
- ⚠️ NEVER use water
- 🔧 Requires special tools
BONDED
- Clean: Damp cloth only
- Lifespan: 2-5 years max
- ❌ Cannot repair peeling
- 💔 Not real leather (10-20%)
BI-CAST/PU
- Clean: Mild soap & water
- No conditioning needed
- ⚠️ Keep from heat
- 🎭 Plastic coating on leather base
🌏 Australian Climate Care Schedule
| Your Location | Climate Type | Conditioning Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin, Cairns | Tropical (High humidity) | Every 4-6 months |
| Brisbane, Gold Coast | Subtropical | Every 3-4 months |
| Sydney, Newcastle | Temperate Coastal | Every 3 months |
| Melbourne, Hobart | Cool Temperate | Every 2-3 months |
| Perth, Adelaide | Mediterranean (Dry) | Every 2-3 months |
| Canberra, Inland | Continental (Extreme) | Every 2 months |
❌ NEVER USE ON LEATHER
- Baby wipes (contain alcohol)
- Eucalyptus oil (strips finish)
- Olive/coconut oil (goes rancid)
- All-purpose cleaners (wrong pH)
- Hair dryer (causes cracking)
- Silicon sprays (permanent damage)
🏪 Common Australian Furniture Brands
King Furniture
Usually Aniline or Semi-aniline
Nick Scali
Mix of Semi-aniline & Pigmented
Freedom
Mostly Pigmented
Harvey Norman
Pigmented, Bonded, Bi-cast
IKEA
Pigmented, Some Aniline
Fantastic Furniture
Bonded or Bi-cast (budget)
🚨 Emergency Stain Response
- DON’T PANIC – Rushed cleaning causes more damage
- BLOT – Never rub (spreads the stain)
- IDENTIFY – Know your leather type first
- USE RIGHT PRODUCT – Wrong cleaner = permanent damage
- TEST FIRST – Always in hidden area
✅ Golden Rules for Leather Care
- Less is more – Over-conditioning causes problems
- Regular beats intensive – Little and often
- Prevention beats cure – Protect before damage
- Climate matters – Adjust for your location
- When in doubt, don’t – Test or ask first
Need Help?
Visit: furniturecareproducts.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Free Shipping: Orders over $99
Guarantee: 30-day money back
