Leather is a unique material. Unlike your other items or belongings, your leather accessories need your attention and care, but as long as you’re willing to do that, a good leather piece can accompany you all your life. The better you maintain your leather goods, the longer they will last and the better they will look. It’s a special kind of material so you must learn the best way for how to keep it well.
It was inevitable for me to learn good leather care because of my interest in leather goods both as a personal hobby and as a family tradition. As a leather accessory manufacturer and seller, we face many questions about leather care, so I tried to make a compilation of tips below that you can easily apply at home to maintain your leather items longer and healthier.
Tip Number One
Treat your leather goods just as the way you treat your skin. Keep them away from the excessive sunlight. The sun will make the leather dry, causing it to become brittle. Once your leather becomes brittle, it will begin to crack and deteriorate.
Tip Number Two
Keep the leather items in a well-ventilated place when not in use. Mildews can grow in a humid environment and are known to have the potential to deteriorate the leather. So, protect your leather goods against mildews simply by keeping them to regularly ventilated.
Tip Number Three
Try enjoying the look of worn leather, as it is unique to you, and you can’t prevent it from getting damaged forever. You can only protect your leather to a certain degree, so don’t get obsessed with that. Most people consider the formation of patina as the manifestation of the vitality of natural leather and a hallmark of the highest quality.
Tip Number Four
Moisturize your leather items periodically. If you notice that your leather is starting to dry out or crack, it may be the right time to moisturize the material. You may use a leather dressing or a leather cream. There are also several oils and waxes that you can use to reduce the cracks and dryness in your leather goods.
How About Leather Cleaning?
Cleaning the leather once a week by a damp cloth will make it last much longer. Avoid using soap or cleansers, as such chemicals can remove the natural oils in the leather used to maintain the material in good condition. Besides, using soap may also expedite the leather’s drying out or cracking, so just stick with water.
If you happen to moisten your leather good, you should avoid exposing it to excess heat or sunlight, just let it dry gradually in the room temperature. Slow drying will keep the chemical structure of leather, preventing it from becoming brittle and crack.
Please note that different types of leather may require different methods of care. Try to know the characteristics of your specific leather item(s) so that you can find the best solution to make it live longer.
