Facts For Cleaning Up Leather And Leather-Based Goods

By Ethan O. Tanner

First determine if your leather item is finished or unfinished. In general finished leather items will have a shiny or smooth surface which may be luggage, handbags, wallets, or garments. Unfinished leather and suede usually have a natural dull finish or nappy finish like saddlery, work boots and shoes or sport gloves.

Purchase good leather cleaner and rub it into the leather in even circular motions. After using the cleaner use a leather conditioner. Leather Balm with Atom Wax Leather Conditioner is an excellent dressing, which will clean, soften, and condition leather. Saddle soap is not recommended for use on a leather couch is too harsh for furniture.

Direct sun rays can be rather harsh on leather because will fade or discolor the leather. Removing spots from leather is often accomplished by dipping a soft cloth into rubbing alcohol and rubbing the spot. Water spots can certainly be taken out of the leather by moistening the spot again by using a little water. Let the leather dry or gently blow dry. Oil leather using a leather preservative like mink oil after removing the spots.

Clean leather shoes often using a damp cloth. Keep shoes polished using a shoe polish paste. If leather shoes should become drenched with the water, let air-dry with shoe trees in place. Concerning staining work with a leather spray to bring back the color to leather apparel, gloves and bags. Dry leather needs re-hydrating with water and natural oils. Waxes are not recommended as it will dry out of your leather. It is necessary to preserve a normal cleansing system.

At first check it out on a tiny bit of leather conditioner in a place not apparent if the specific brand of leather doesn't respond well to your treatment. Saddle cleaning soap shouldn't be applied to a leather couch, because it is too unkind for leather furniture. Don't use products like mink oil, shoe polish and waxes when cleansing leather furniture or garments. Make use of a damp cloth or sponge to rub saddle soap into the leather working the soap right into a light lather. Oil leather using a leather stabilizer like mink oil or leather cream.

Dry leather needs re-hydrating with water and oils. Waxes are not recommended as it will dry out of the leather. It is vital to maintain a regular cleaning system cleaning dirt off the surface regularly. Stopping the absorption of body oils in the leather by using a protector is the best way to accomplishing this. Car owners manual suggest using a 5% solution of detergent created wool on car leather seats. This cleans and protects leather of all kinds.

Yet another option for cleaning leather is to take a damp cloth, wipe it across moisturizing soap and lather the leather. Remember: Whenever removing spots from leather, always check any cleaning method on an out-of-the-way place first. Suede is an unfinished type of leather that should be handled carefully. For suede items, try an art gum eraser first and if that does not do the trick, use undiluted white vinegar on a soft cloth, and be sure to blot -- never rub whenever treating suede. Some people recommend low-cost leather cleaning processes, like baking soda or salt.

The best method for cleaning leather is determined by the type of the stain and the type of the leather. The following are instructions for common leather cleaning: Always test the cleaning on a small invisible patch of leather before proceeding on the whole item. You should also follow cleaning with a Fiebing Suede and Fabric Coat leather protector which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.

About the Author:

Outdoor Enthusiast and Sportsman Ethan O. Tanner explicates the method of leather careand the safety tips and guidelines for a best way to clean leather.