The leather of a real, high quality, Wassily chair is classified as Vegetable Tanned. This is often referred to as “belt-grade” leather. The tanning process creates strong, durable leather. If well cared for, true vegetable tanned leather will last for decades. Many knock-off Wassily chairs are made with inferior grades of leather. These are called bonded or bicast leather. There are actually some chairs that are fully synthetic, cardboard-like material. None of these are the real deal.

Proper cleaning and light conditioning of vegetable tanned leather, followed by the most important step — protecting — will preserve the long-term beauty and durability of your leather. Take a few moments to review these four simple care and maintenance steps. 

Dusting - Regularly wipe the piece with a lightly damp white cotton cloth to take off topical dust.

Cleaning - Always use a leather cleaner that is pH balanced to leather. Normal household cleaners have a pH that is too caustic (Alkaline) for leather. This is also true with products like Saddle Soap. Advanced Leather Solutions manufactures the correct product —- Advanced Leather Cleaner. It is pH balanced to leather with excellent yet gentle cleaning properties.

Order your ADV Leather Cleaner here: https://www.advleather.com/product-list.html

To Use -   Place a tablespoon size dollop on a clean, slightly moist, cloth.  A microfiber or terry-cloth towel works great. Massage it into the cloth and apply via rubbing across one section of the leather at a time.  Be generous in application.  The more cleaner applied, the more cleaning power you’ll get.  Let the soapy residue sit for 1 – 2 minutes.  However, do NOT leave it so long that it dries.  Wipe off the soapy residue with a clean cloth.  Repeat this process, turning the cloth frequently, using clean sections of the cloth until all leather surfaces have been cleaned. 

Wassily Chair Leather Care

Conditioning - The tanning process results of Vegetable Tanned leather is strong, durable leather chemically engineered at the tannery for toughness, and dimensional stability (stretches minimally). This leather type does NOT need aggressive conditioning. Do not over condition vegetable tanned leather as the added moisture will loosen the internal fiber structure causing the strap to sag and eventually compromises the leather’s integrity. In most households a once yearly light conditioning is sufficient. If your home of office is very dry, then twice a year. This means a dollop of conditioner applied to a soft cloth and then wipe down the leather strap. Wait a few hours before you put the chair back in to use.

Please note that the vast majority of Wassily straps have a protective pigment coating that will hold out the liquid conditioner with only a tiny fraction soaking in. Do not over do. If you apply a heavy coat of conditioner, the vast majority will just sit on the surface and dry there, leaving a tacky or sticky feel to the leather. For those rare Wassily straps that are raw (non-protected) leather, a light wipe down with a conditioning agent that is pH balanced to leather is all that is necessary.

The Advanced Leather Conditioner is our recommendation. You can order it at the same place as the cleaner here: https://www.advleather.com/product-list.html

Protection - The most important maintenance item is protection. Every time someone sits down or stands up, the leather is lightly abraded (sanded) with their clothing. This gradually erodes away the protective clear coat that is applied at the tannery, wearing away the leather’s protection. To maintain the maximum benefit of the protective clear coat, its wise to apply the Leather Protector to replace what has been worn away through use.

Like the cleaner and conditioner Advanced Leather Protector from Advanced Leather Solutions is the recommended product for leather protection. You can order it at the same place as the cleaner here: https://www.advleather.com/product-list.html

Besides being the best products for the long term care of leather, shipping is FREE.