Importance of care
Genuine leather items have always been a sign of gravitas, elegance, and refined taste. At the same time, their price corresponds to the image they create. Therefore, everyone always wants these expensive products to last as long as possible and maintain their elegant look. Sometimes, it turns out to be impossible, and unfortunately, quite often the items in use lose their shiny look, becoming rather shabby and dull. However, the problem here is often not the intensive use, but the poor-quality and insufficient care. In most cases, through care of genuine leather ensures durability and attractive look of the items made of it. This natural material features a unique structure. Leather can be divided into a few categories, which determines specifics of care for each particular type and variety.
Safe usage rules
Compliance with particular rules of leather items usage can prevent their deterioration and excessive wear. The most important thing is to avoid exposure to moisture and dirt. Nowadays, there are numerous ways to use a variety of materials to give leather the protective properties. Proper storage includes ensuring the air availability. Leather is a “breathing” material. The production process includes dying. At the same time, the durability of dyes often depends on direct exposure to sunlight or bright electric light. This should be taken into account as well. If the item still got wet or contaminated, cleaning and drying should be as gentle as possible. Don’t use acetone, petrol, and other harsh solutions. You should also prevent perfumes from getting on the leather. It is recommended to dry leather goods without using any heating equipment, away from heat sources, at room temperature. You should also keep in mind the getting wet all through must avoided anyway. Compliance with these simple requirements will ensure a long and high-quality life for a wallet, a bag, or a leather briefcase.
Recommendations for certain material grades and types
Nubuck, velour
These attractive-looking materials require especially delicate care. You will need a special brush, which you will use to remove dust, dulling, and stains. To remove quite a strong contamination, you should use a soap solution of water with ammonia (1 tsp per glass of water) or a special spray for removing stains. After treating the item, it is recommended to rinse the surface with water and wipe it with a diluted solution of vinegar and citric acid.
Smooth leather
In this case, wiping with a soft cloth is preferable, and whether any heavy contamination occurred, you should use a wet sponge with a diluted soap solution. This is followed by wiping with a dry cloth and treatment with a citric acid solution.
Lacquered material
Use a dry soft cloth. Special manufactured solutions and formulas are recommended for treatment.
Leather with “effects”
It is quite unpretentious and stable. Dulling can be removed with an eraser, scratches are removed by rubbing until they disappear completely.
Textured leather
Requires extremely careful cleaning with a soft woolen cloth.
General advice on taking care of leather products
A slightly wet cloth should be used to clean briefcases, bags and purses. Diluted soap solution with added ammonia is perfectly suitable for this. To make it shining, an item is rubbed with a piece of cloth soaked in glycerin, vaseline, or castor oil. You can use a colorless cream or one with of the color corresponding to the material you treat. After a certain time, you should wipe the surface completely with a dry cloth for better effect. Suede products can be washed in a soapy solution, but you shouldn’t screw or rub them. Besides, suede can be wiped with an eraser or a piece of rubberized fabric. By wiping the material with a fresh diluted solution of ammonia or castor oil will make it shiny and refresh the look. As far as white leather is concerned, the spots can be removed with an onion, and by using a mixture of milk and whipped protein, you will make it shiny. Fresh coffee grounds will make dark items shiny. A mixture of warm milk and soda will help to renew shiny spots on the goods. The worn surfaces on the bends will be as new when carefully treated with zero-grain sandpaper. As for specialized manufactured leather care products, you can find a guide for caring them attached to the product when purchasing.