Aniline leather – properties and care

Leather clothing is a timeless classic that will remain fashionable regardless of trends. Made of good quality leather it is comfortable, functional, nice to the touch, and what is more, it ages beautifully – acquires nobility and class as the years go by. If you take good care of it, it will look great even after many seasons of daily wear. The key to effective care is knowing exactly what material your clothes and accessories are made of. One of the most noble materials is aniline leather. What is it and what properties does it have? We explain in this article - have a read!

A brief guide to garment leathers

The main criteria by which leathers are classified include the way they are finished. Cleaning, tanning, facing and impregnation procedures prepare the obtained raw material so that it can be used later as a clothing material. Depending on the reagents used as well as processing and preservation techniques, different effects are obtained. The most important types of natural leather include:

• aniline,

• semi-aniline,

• pigmented.

Each of them has a characteristic appearance, surface texture and specific parameters.

Pigmented grain leather – what kind of leather?

As opposed to aniline grain leathers, pigmented grain leathers are covered on the surface with a protective coating containing dye. Veneering consists in mechanical processing, and then protecting the raw material from the outside with appropriate pigments, waxes and other substances in order to obtain a specific structure and properties. This type of finishing makes the natural wrinkles characteristic of this material smoother and shallower. It also becomes much more resistant to dirt and moisture. Thus, this process affects the aesthetic and usable values. Such prepared leathers are characterised by:

• softness,

• elasticity,

• smooth texture,

• high wearing comfort,

• resistance to water and dirt.

What distinguishes aniline leather from other natural leathers?

Unlike pigmented grain leathers, aniline ones have open pores. This property results in a completely different dyeing process.

1. After tanning, the raw material is discoloured through and through during the bath in the pigment solution - similar to textiles,

2. during the dyeing process the dye penetrates into the deeper structures, while the outer layer remains unchanged,

3. natural vegetable oils and waxes are usually used for finishing and impregnation.

Since in this case the surface is not coated with a polymer layer, the structure is very clearly visible along with all its “imperfections”. What elsewhere would often be considered a defect, here on the contrary, is a unique feature of the material and its added value. Thus, aniline leathers rightly enjoy the opinion of the most noble and exclusive ones. They are naturally beautiful, as well as exceptionally soft, delicate and warm to the touch – thus ensuring high wearing comfort.

Semi-aniline, on the other hand, ranks between aniline and smooth pigmented leather. It still has a clearly visible natural face, but is coated with a thin protective layer. This makes it resistant to water and dirt.

What properties does aniline leather have?

The way materials are finished is always accompanied by their properties. In the case of smooth pigmented leathers, the final stage of tanning is surface dyeing. The raw material is first primed, then covered with an additional layer of pigment and finally with a transparent varnish. This makes it more durable, as well as more stain- and water-resistant. The lacquering also protects the paint from abrasion, influences the level of gloss and can be felt by touch.

When processing aniline leathers, these procedures are completely avoided. The result is a beautifully textured surface with natural wrinkles and an exceptionally pleasant feel to the material. On the other hand, garments made of them are more susceptible to water, which soaks into the surface. Colour changes as a result of normal use are also completely normal here. It is not a defect, but another unique and even desirable feature of this material.

How to care for aniline leather?

To take care of it, use products created especially for aniline leather. One of the best solutions in this case is a special fat and wax paste. Most often it is a mixture of vegetable waxes with animal fat. It will cover the surface of the aniline with a natural protective layer and protect it from the adverse effects of external factors. The treatment applied regularly will also help keep the material in good condition. With proper care, the leather will remain soft and smooth, as well as retain its unique texture.

Visit the FAN LEATHER shop!

Our entire leather collection is designed and produced in Poland from the highest quality natural raw material. All leathers used for FAN LEATHER clothing are chromium-free tanned. Thanks to that they are much more ecological than those tanned in a traditional way – environmentally friendly and safe for your health. The new spring/summer 2021 leather collection has just been launched in the Internet Shop. Visit us and check what we have for you!