How to Keep Leather Looking Good

In order to keep leather looking good, you will need to preserve it. Besides helping to keep it clean and giving it a finished look, preserving will slow decay and water proof the leather.

Things You'll Need

• Oil or finisher
• Brush
• Soft cloth

Instructions

Preserve Your Leather

1. Apply a sealant or finisher at the end of your leather working project. Many people swear by mink's oil, but neatfoots oil is also popular and works with a wider variety of leathers. Do not oil suede or fur and avoid petroleum and mineral oils. There are also several finishers available for different types of leather.

2. Remember that a little oil goes a long way. Applying too much oil can actually cause the leather to rot due to excess moisture.

3. Do not reapply oil to your finished leather unless it is absolutely necessary, especially when it is drying and stiffening. Instead, you can protect the polish on your leather using preservation wax.

4. Follow the directions on the packaging. Whatever oil, wax or other product you choose to preserve your leather with, be sure to use the correct amount and apply it only to the suggested products. For instance, saddle soap should only be used on thick tough leather.

5. Apply the oil with a soft cloth or brush. Avoid using a brush on softer leather, as you will cause it to scratch or flake. While newspaper can be used for polishing, you want to rub the oil or wax in before you polish.

6. Shop Tandy Leather Factory for a wide selection of natural and manufactured leather finishers and oils (see Resources below).

7. Keep your leather dry to preserve it. Avoid storing it in any sealed containers, because the humidity will build up causing mold, mildew and rot.

8. Choose to professionally clean your leather. Dry cleaning will alter the texture and color of the leather, so make sure you drop your leather clothes off with an actual leather cleaner. While the process is similar, different chemicals are used in dry cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Brain tanning provides a longer lasting finish to leather hides than vegetable tanning.

• When tanning leather, be sure to remove as much water as possible without making it hard and brittle. A spray bottle can help remoisten dry spots just enough to keep the leather supple. This will start the leather off in good shape.

• Mink's oil can darken lighter leathers and should only be used on smoother hides.