How to Care for Lambskin Leather

Lambskin leather is soft and supple to the touch. It is also a challenge when it comes to caring for it. Lambskin can be found in smooth and shearling varieties. Shearling is similar to suede and the smooth is fine grained and resembles a more traditional leather. Smooth lambskin very popular due to its very soft and pliable texture. The challenge is that lambskin is not very durable which makes caring for it a challenge. It can easily tear, scuff or scratch.

Things You'll Need

• Leather waterproofer
• Leather moisturizer
• Leather conditioner
• Cornmeal or ground-up blackboard chalk
• Suede brush
• Padded hanger

Instructions

1. Waterproof your lambskin leather. Use a high-quality one like ITA Protector or have it done professionally.

2. Moisturize and polish the leather with a high-quality leather oil to preserve and protect lambskin leather. Apply the oil with a soft cloth and follow the directions on the product carefully.
   Test a small area first and let it sit for approximately 10 minutes. Make sure it does not darken the product. If it does, reduce the amount used.

3. Remove stains by rubbing cornmeal into the stain to absorb it. Then use a suede brush that has short, fine metal teeth to brush the leather stain out.
   Or, try ground up blackboard chalk. Sprinkle the powder on the stain and let set for one day before brushing off with suede brush.

4. Store your lambskin leather in an airy, cool, dry place. The space should be dark as direct sunlight will dry and fade lambskin leather. Padded hangers will help keep the leather product in shape. Cover the leather with a cloth such as cotton (something that breathes well). Plastic will dry the leather out over time.

Tips & Warnings

• Use high-quality, all natural products for best results. Use natural products. For heavy grime, try Obenauf's leather oil or Jaguar leather cleaner. They are both natural, gentle and non-toxic. They make cost a little more but will help to extend the natural life of your lambskin leather.

• Do not use liquid cleaners on the leather. These are harsh and can damage leather. They may affect the texture and matte the finish.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Obenaufs Leather Cleaning
• Lexol Leather Cleaning