THE HOME.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4958, 20 February 1937, Page 3

THE HOME.

RENOVATING LEATHER,

Spotted or greasy leather is an abomination. First aid here consists of an application of rubber solution (such as is used for mending tyre punctures). Place a thin coat of the solution over the spots, and peel off before it is dry.

Upholstery which has faded and lost its good looks should be prescribed for like this: First wash with a cloth wrung out in warm water to which a little vinegar has been added. Dry carefully, then whisk up the white of an egg with a dash of turpentine, and apply with a flannel. Afterwards polish with a soft cloth. If the leather is badly cracked, treat it first with vaseline. Leave this on for 12 hours, then doctor it when the vaseline has all been absorbed.

If you own any shabby leather chairs, which have begun to perish, cr split at the corners, gum all stray edges into place and patch any holes with a bit of leather laid underneath. Then clean off the old furniture polish with weak soda water or benzine, and apply a leather stain, which can be bought from any handcraft shop in a great variety of colours. The leather should be made damp first with a sponge before applying the dye, so that the colour will be distributed evenly. After staining, remove all surplus dye with a clean rag, then a wax polish and a triumphant finish with a velvet pad, and your leather chair will look like new.

“Enamelled” leather, which you find in your car upholstery and other imitation leathers should be dosed liberally with castor oil, to prevent them cracking. Leave the oil to do its good work for about an hour, then wipe off any superfluous oil with a tag.