Care and Cleaning of Your Leather Products

Cleaning

If you must clean your leather product ( avoid cleaning if possible ) then try a mild soap and cold water with a sponge. Make sure to dry the leather immediately with a soft towel. Do not rub continuously over one spot; this will create a non-uniform appearance. Then use a commercial leather-moisturizing product (lanolin based) on sealed leather to remoisten and make it supple again. On non-sealed leathers (like naked leather) do not use any moisturizer that might seal its grain.

If you want a professional job, we recommend you take your item to a professional leather cleaner. They have the proper tools to clean and recondition your leather product, but be warned that cleaners are inconsistent and your product may not look as good as it was.

Always follow the instructions on the garment label before cleaning. Do not attempt to wash as a normal clothing item and do not Dry Clean..

Care

You may condition your leather clothes using a commercial leather Product. Remember to always read and follow the instructions to avoid damage to your leathers.

• Avoid getting leather products overly wet and then do not store them until they have had ample time to air dry.
• Do not store leathers in sunlight.
• Do not store leathers in a damp area or you risk a mildew problem.
• Store leather products in a cool closet with low humidity.
• Never store leather clothing in a closed plastic bag.
• Hang your leather clothes using Wooden or Broad Plastic Hangers or carefully fold them.
• Avoid storing near to or using chemicals, solvents and paints on or near leather products.
• Do not dry clean leather; it may remove the natural oils from the leather.

The following are instructions for general leather cleaning: Before cleaning leather, determine whether the leather is finished – like luggage, furniture and garments – or unfinished – like baseball gloves, work boots and saddles.

Tips & Warnings
Consider seeking professional assistance as improper cleaning might damage the leather.

Things you may need:
Leather Conditioners
Saddle Soaps
Damp Cloths
Dry Towels
Sponges
Leather Protection Sprays
Leather Cleaning Kits

Finished Leather Instructions:
1. Place a small amount of a gentle, moisturizing soap such as Dove on a damp cloth and bring it to a light lather.
2. Rub the damp cloth on the leather without putting too much water on the leather.
3. Wipe away lather with a fresh damp cloth. Don’t rinse the leather in water.
4. Polish leather with a dry towel.
5. Treat leather with a leather conditioner after it has dried completely.

Unfinished Leather Instructions:
6. Use a damp cloth or sponge to rub saddle soap into the leather; work soap into a light lather.
7. Wipe away lather and allow to air dry.
8. Oil leather with a leather preservative such as mink oil.



HOW TO TREAT STAINS ON LEATHER:
Here are basic guidelines for treating stains on leather clothing, shoes and furniture, and they apply to all graduations of the material. However, cleaning can alter the color or appearances of leather, so when in doubt, consult a leather-cleaning professional.

Instructions:
1. Mildew Stains: Mix 1 cup (8 fluid oz/250 ml) rubbing alcohol with 1 cup (8 fluid
oz/250 ml) water. Moisten a cloth with the mixture and wipe the affected area.
Leave to dry.
2. Ink Stains: Spray the affected area with hairspray, and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Ink can be extremely difficult to remove, so you may need to consult a leather-cleaning professional.
3. Water Stains: Allow a soaked leather garment to dry slowly and naturally. Keep the item away from heat sources, and restore its softness with a leather conditioner after it’s dry. For soaked leather shoes, insert shoe trees and let air-dry.
4. Grease Stains: Blot excess grease with a clean cloth. Sprinkle talcum powder or cornstarch on the effected area. Let sit for at least 4 hours, and then wipe off the powder.
5. Protein (Blood, Urine) Stains: Blot excess moisture with a clean, damp cloth. Allow item to dry slowly, away from a heat source.
6. Gum: Rub with a plastic bag of ice cubes to harden the gum, and then pull off the gum. For any residual gum, heat the area with a hair dryer and rub off the gum with a clean cloth.
7. Salt Stains: Mix a solution of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water. Moisten a cloth with the vinegar solution and dab on the affected area.
8. Discoloration: For leather garments, gloves and bags that are discolored use a leather spray designed to restore color. These products are sold at shoe repair shops; choose the color that most closely matches.


HOW TO CLEAN A LEATHER JACKET AT HOME:
Leather is animal skin and should be treated as delicately as you would treat your own skin. It needs moisture in order maintain its supple richness. Our bodies produce the oils our skin needs to stay healthy, and still we need to help it along. Your leather jacket can’t produce anything on its own, so it needs you to take care of it.

Tips & Warnings:
CAUTION: When cleaning any valuable article, always test a small portion that isn’t easily visible, to ensure that no damage or discoloration occurs.

Smooth Leather Instructions:
1. Gently scrub off any surface dirt with a rough towel.
2. Wipe down the jacket with baby wipes. They are designed to be gentle enough for a baby’s skin, so they shouldn’t be too harsh for your jacket.
3. Polish and shine the jacket with a soft, absorbent towel.

Suede Leather Instructions:
1. Gently brush the jacket with a brush that is the consistency of a fingernail brush or a soft toothbrush. Often, this is all that is needed.
2. If additional cleaning is needed gently scrub with baby wipes.
3. Allow to dry completely.
4. Brush again.

Instructions for cleaning the lining of a jacket:
1. Vacuum any surface dirt off the lining and out of the pockets.
2. Put 2-3 drops of a high quality shampoo in a mixing bowl; fill with cold water and mix.
3. Immerse a clean sponge into the mixture and ring it out.
4. Wipe the lining with the sponge.
5. Allow to dry completely.
6. Vacuum any residue.