When you add a genuine leather item to your accessory collection or wardrobe chances are you will want to make sure it will look as good as possible for as long as possible. Learning how to care for and clean your leather goods is not difficult but you do need to keep a few key steps in mind. Here are tips and tricks that you can use to make sure your items look beautiful and feel great even if you choose to wear or use them on a regular basis.
You may think that all types of leather are created equal but this is not the case. Some hides are thinner than others or may have texture to them that makes them more complex to deal with. For example, suede can be challenging because of the surface texture that is inherent with this material. The way you would care for this material is going to be very different than if you were dealing with cowhide or lambskin.
This material does need more care than other types of materials do. This is because leather can dry out and crack if it is not properly cared for. When an animal is living, its skin produces oils and these keep the skin soft and pliable. Once the hide has been removed this process stops and the skin can become dry. Cracks can develop and these can destroy an item over time if it is not stopped.
The first thing to do is learn exactly which kind of hide you are dealing with. Some different kinds of hide will need different care methods. For example, suede items will need to be cleaned and treated differently than hides with a smooth surface will. You may also need to use different products depending on which kind of leather you are dealing with.
You also need to account for what the product is, how it is being used and what kind of adverse conditions it will be exposed to. Garments often have been exposed to dirt, water and even salt or other elements that can dry it out and cause it to become damaged or dehydrated.
Dirt can cause a number of problems for leather items. Grit can scratch the surface and oily substances can cause discolored areas. If you are dealing with mud you may be further ahead to allow the mud to dry before brushing it off the surface. Sometimes mud can smear or spread and this can be frustrating and time consuming to deal with. If you have put ink on your garment or item however you should try and blot it off and then use a product that is specially designed to get ink out so that it does not stain the surface permanently.
Cleaners can be great but the soap can end up drying out the hide. A proper cleanser will be less likely to do so. If you are using a cleaner you should think about trying it on the inside of the item. Some can cause colors to fade or lighten a bit so you want to make sure that if that happens you do not end up putting it all over your garment.
Conditioning and protecting your item should be your last two steps. Conditioning re-introduces moisture back into the hide and protective products will help prevent further damage from occurring. You can then wear your garment or use your accessory without worrying that it will suffer further damage.
You may think that all types of leather are created equal but this is not the case. Some hides are thinner than others or may have texture to them that makes them more complex to deal with. For example, suede can be challenging because of the surface texture that is inherent with this material. The way you would care for this material is going to be very different than if you were dealing with cowhide or lambskin.
This material does need more care than other types of materials do. This is because leather can dry out and crack if it is not properly cared for. When an animal is living, its skin produces oils and these keep the skin soft and pliable. Once the hide has been removed this process stops and the skin can become dry. Cracks can develop and these can destroy an item over time if it is not stopped.
The first thing to do is learn exactly which kind of hide you are dealing with. Some different kinds of hide will need different care methods. For example, suede items will need to be cleaned and treated differently than hides with a smooth surface will. You may also need to use different products depending on which kind of leather you are dealing with.
You also need to account for what the product is, how it is being used and what kind of adverse conditions it will be exposed to. Garments often have been exposed to dirt, water and even salt or other elements that can dry it out and cause it to become damaged or dehydrated.
Dirt can cause a number of problems for leather items. Grit can scratch the surface and oily substances can cause discolored areas. If you are dealing with mud you may be further ahead to allow the mud to dry before brushing it off the surface. Sometimes mud can smear or spread and this can be frustrating and time consuming to deal with. If you have put ink on your garment or item however you should try and blot it off and then use a product that is specially designed to get ink out so that it does not stain the surface permanently.
Cleaners can be great but the soap can end up drying out the hide. A proper cleanser will be less likely to do so. If you are using a cleaner you should think about trying it on the inside of the item. Some can cause colors to fade or lighten a bit so you want to make sure that if that happens you do not end up putting it all over your garment.
Conditioning and protecting your item should be your last two steps. Conditioning re-introduces moisture back into the hide and protective products will help prevent further damage from occurring. You can then wear your garment or use your accessory without worrying that it will suffer further damage.
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