Tips for Properly Caring for Your Leather Goods

Your leather goods lend elegance and grace to any outfit you wear. Whether heading to work or a formal dinner, you love to showcase your leather accessories to stand out amongst friends and coworkers.

Consider incorporating leather restoration into your regular cleaning routine. Treating your leather goods keeps them looking new and fresh. Follow these tips for properly caring for your leather goods, from cleaning to storage.

Understanding Leather Types

Before diving into care routines, understand what kind of leather your products contain. Each material requires delicate care instructions and differs based on its process and finishes. For example, Ezra Arthur offers these three types of leather for our leather goods.

Finished Leather

Finished leather adds a layer of protection for color and shine. This top-grain leather has a uniform appearance from the sanding and buffing during production. While durable, it is slightly less robust than natural leather due to the processing involved.

Natural Leather

Known for its durability, high quality, and appearance, natural leather is less prone to wear and tear due to its strong grain layer. Those who own natural leather goods may prefer to leave the product untreated to develop a beautiful patina on the surface with time.

Suede

Made from the underside of the animal hide, suede features a velvet surface that’s soft to the touch. To maintain this delicate feel, suede requires specific care vastly different from other types of leather. It’s best to avoid letting suede products absorb any water or oils.

Cleaning Your Leather Goods

Just like other clothes and accessories, leather-bound items could collect dust, dirt, and grime over time. Any harsh scrubbing could damage the leather without proper care. Cleaning your leather goods is as easy as dusting, spot cleaning, and deep cleaning the surface as so.

Regular Dusting

Polish the surface of your accessories carefully with a soft, dry cloth to prevent any dust buildup and debris from embedding into the material. For larger handbags, a handheld vacuum with a soft brush can also remove debris.

Spot Cleaning

Stains and spills tarnish the integrity of leather. Fortunately, you can rely on spot cleaning. Try to absorb as much liquid as possible from the surface using a dry cloth. Use a mild soap and gently clean the area to remove discoloration.

Soap could cause odd stains on some leather. Test your soap on a small, unseen patch of your leather item to avoid a larger stain.

Deep Cleaning

Use leather-safe products and follow the instructions carefully when deep cleaning. Avoid deep cleaning your accessories too frequently, as the chemicals could damage the integrity of the leather. Using an approved cleaner and a soft cloth, wipe down the surface, remove the excess product, and let the leather air-dry.

Conditioning Leather

Leather requires conditioners that most materials don’t typically need since leather can dry out from natural elements and external forces. Replenish the essential oils in leather for a supple, soft touch with these tips.

Choosing the Right Conditioner

In general, natural conditioners made from beeswax, lanolin, or other gentle ingredients work for most leather types. Harsh chemicals like petroleum or mineral oils could damage the surface of the leather.

Applying Conditioner

Apply a small amount of conditioner on a soft cloth and rub it into the leather in circular motions. As you rub in the product, focus on areas prone to drying out. Leave the conditioner to absorb for at least 30 minutes, then buff with a clean cloth to remove any excess.

Frequency of Conditioning

While it may depend on your climate, leather tends to need conditioning every 6 to 12 months. Climates that have dry air could desiccate the leather and require more frequent conditioning. Keep a close eye on your leather item and check for dry spots periodically to know when to apply the conditioner next.

Protecting Your Leather

Preserve the integrity and longevity of your leather items through preventative measures. The following tips will help you treat the leather and reduce external damage.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing your leather secures its structure from harsh weather and spills. Check what kind of materials your leather can handle according to manufacturing instructions. Add an extra layer of protection by spraying a waterproof adhesive to your leather goods.

Avoiding Direct Sunlight

Prevent your leather from dying out in the sun by storing your accessories in safe, shaded areas when not in use. Consider UV protectants to mitigate any damage.

Handling With Care

Always handle your leather goods when your hands are free of moisture and dirt. Avoid overloading the inside of leather bags to prevent stretching the leather.

Storing Leather Goods

Store your leather items in clean, safe areas when not in use to limit creases, deformation, and folds. Further, incorporate these techniques to properly care for and preserve the integrity of your leather goods.

Use Dust Bags and Covers

Store handbags and wallets in dust bags. Breathable and durable bags protect your leather goods from dust and light exposure.

Maintain Shape

Consider stuffing your leather bags with bag shapers or tissue paper if they’re empty when not in use. Bag shapers maintain the leather bag’s structure regardless of where you keep it in your home. You can also use this method for wallets to prevent unnatural bends.

Avoid Humidity

Humid environments can damage leather due to moisture in the air. Use dehumidifiers to control the moisture levels in your storage area and avoid keeping leather items in areas like basements or attics.

Dealing With Common Issues

Even while taking these precautions, accidents can still happen. Your leather items could face damage like scratches, stains, and discoloration over time. The best way to remedy these nuisances is to address them quickly.

Scratches and Scuffs

Reduce the appearance of minor scratches by gently rubbing the area with a soft cloth. This redistributes the oils in the leather to mask the scuff. You can also use a leather repair kit or take the accessory to a professional to treat deeper scratches.

Stain Removal

Clean stains by sprinkling cornstarch or talcum powder on the affected area overnight. In the morning, brush off the powder and clean the area with leather-safe products.

Fading and Discoloration

Fading and discoloration are natural changes that occur after months of use. Treat faded leather with leather dye to restore its color. You can also take the accessory to a professional to rehabilitate its natural color.

The next time you wear your leather belt or toss your leather handbag over your shoulder, your leather goods should shine with proper care. Clean, condition, and protect your leather goods along with your other accessories to strut the streets in style.