Top grain leathers, which are commonly used on quality furniture and apparel, can last many years or a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. These leathers have factory applied finishes that make them very durable. With this type of leather, cleaning dirt and other contaminants from the surface is a great first step towards preservation. Additionally, applying a conditioner provides even more protection by leaving a barrier between the leather and harmful body moisture and oils which will damage the surface over time. Conditioners also reduce or prevent scratches from everyday use. Protecting your items by cleaning and conditioning them regularly will help ensure your valuable top grain leather possessions last.
On the other hand, there are faux leathers. Due to deceptive advertising and ever evolving changes in materials and production, it can be nearly impossible for the average person to determine if leather is real or one of the many types of faux leather. One thing is certain, without protection, faux leathers are likely to become unsightly much more quickly than genuine top grain leather and suffer material failure, leaving your items to peel, crack, flake and tear. The composition of faux leathers is inferior to genuine top grain leather. A cleaning and conditioning routine is likely to extend the aesthetic appearance and life of faux leathers, but you cannot expect them to last as long or perform as well as the real thing.