If used without any treatment, animal hides would quickly break down and start to stink. For this reason, the hide needs to be treated to form leather.

Skin has three layers beginning with the epidermis, proceeding to the derma, and ending in the adipose, which is also known as flesh. When making leather, only the strong and flexible derma, which is a layer of collagen fibres, is desired. The collagen is exuded by cells, and forms a network of useful filaments. When leather is processed, these fibres are retained while everything else is stripped away.

First, the skin is fleshed, the flesh being cleaned off of the hide, and the excess adipose, or animal stout, is removed. Then the hides are washed and soaked, which restores moisture to dried hides.  Chemicals are added to turn the water alkaline, which will eat away at the hair and epidermis. The collagen fibres start to swell, while excess proteins precipitate out.

When this process is complete, the water is brought to a stable pH and the swelling goes down, so that enzymatic cleaners can be added to remove any remaining organic debris. Then the hide is pickled in a highly acidic solution, which prepares it for tanning. Tanning agents form bonds with the collagen in the hide, causing it to resist bacterial attack.

Depending on the intended use of the leather, this thickness may vary. Then the leather is re-tanned, with different materials depending on whether it needs to be firm or soft, and dyed. After dyeing, the leather is oiled so that it will remain flexible and soft. Then the leather is dried, mechanically treated to soften it, and buffed so that it will have a smooth and attractive surface. Some leathers are embossed with patterns before the final stage, which is the application of a finishing coat of polymer or wax to protect the surface of the leather.

Leather treatment used to be a highly polluting industry, but tanneries responded to public protest about odour and pollution issues. Tanneries now recycle the liquids used in the leather making process and refrain from chemical dumping. Tanning still carries a strong odour, but is no longer accompanied by environmentally unfriendly business practices in most parts of the world.

Boss Leather uses only the finest leather for the various styles and designs of furniture the company offers.  Leather is the right choice for your next piece of furniture.  Contact Boss Leather for all your leather sofa, leather couch, leather sectional, leather chair and other leather furniture needs.  Visit www.bossleather.ca or call us 905-951-8884 at for more details.

Filed under: Double Chase Lounger

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