How to Take Care of Leather Products
Leather is quite durable and if preventive maintenance is used, it can last a lifetime. Leather needs to be cared for after exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture or dryness or chemicals. Keep leather from getting wet or making contact with chemicals to avoid problems. Leather becomes damaged when it gets too dry, so areas with dry climates must take extra steps to constantly condition leather. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Leather conditioner
- Polish
- Weather-proofing leather protecting solution
- Suede brush
Instructions
-
-
1
Examine the leather product and determine what type of finish the leather has. If the leather has a soft, dull surface, similar to a baseball glove, this is called unfinished leather. If it has a subtle fuzz on the surface, this is called suede. These two types of leathers may need special products. A leather with a subtle sheen to it is easiest to clean and care for.
-
2
Protect leather jackets, hats and other products from extreme weather with a leather snow-proofing product. Apply a generous amount of snow proofing leather product into the leather and rub in. Do this before exposure to heavy rains or snow. These types of protecting seals do not work on suede.
-
-
3
Apply a generous amount of leather polish to finished, shiny leather products. Use a soft washcloth to rub in the polish using rapid motions. Make sure to polish the entire leather surface so there are no dull spots. Polish is not necessary on unfinished or suede leather products.
-
4
Pour a small amount of leather conditioning oil on unfinished or shiny leather. Massage the oil in to the surface with a soft washcloth in circular motions. This keeps leather moist and prevents it from breaking or drying out. Leather can be oiled as often as desired, but should be done at least once a month in dry climates.
-
5
Put leather in a well-ventilated room if it gets wet. Lay it as flat as possible or, if it is a leather leash, collar or belt, hang it up. Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Allow the leather to dry completely. Use a fan if you need to speed up the drying process
-
6
Care for suede products with a suede brush made with hard bristles. These types of brushes can be used to remove any stains or marks. Keep in mind that suede should not get wet and cleaning it is best left to a professional.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check the tags of clothing items for cleaning instructions
References
- Photo Credit leather belts image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
