How to Clean Colored Leather
Colored leather is used to create many items, including shoes, handbags and sofas. Clean any kind of leather carefully, especially colored leather. Some cleaning chemicals, or even plain water, may cause dyes to run or fade, so always test a tiny corner of the item first. Even some cleaners deemed safe for leather can potentially discolor or fade some colored leather items. Items such as leather handbags and coin purses also may require gentler cleaning than leather furniture. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Apply leather cleaner to a soft, clean cloth. Use a white or pale-colored cloth so you can see if the colored leather dye starts transferring. If that occurs, stop cleaning and consult the manufacturer of the product, if possible. A little dark dirt color will likely transfer to the cloth, but if the dye does, then the cleaner is probably too strong for your type of leather. You may be better off cleaning colored leather handbags, according to lovemybags.com, with a damp cloth, sans cleaner.
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Use another dry soft cloth to rub the leather down and wipe off excess cleaner. At this time, check all seams and other areas you may have missed during cleaning.
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Apply a leather conditioner, unless the cleaner was a two-in-one cleaner and conditioner combination. Apply it the same way as the cleaner, by rubbing it in with a clean cloth. Conditioners keep leather flexible and moist, and prevents cracks.
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Spray colored leather with a leather waterproofing spray if the item is likely to come into contact with water. Shoes, for example, should be treated with waterproofing spray.
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Tips & Warnings
Wash all leather items at least twice a year to keep the leather looking its best.
Sunlight will fade leather. Keep colored leather items out of direct sunlight.
