As we all know, leather is expensive. A good leather bag will set you back 0. Good leather care maintains the consistency and shine of your leather purchase. This article will show you the best techniques on the market to keep your leather finding spick and speck for years to come. All my techniques are natural and will save you money. High quality results are guaranteed.
So what is leather?
Leather is the raw hide of an animal that has undergone the process of tanning. Tanning adds layers to the hide enhancing its stain and wear resistance. Being a natural product, leather ages and will fade and soften over time. It is for this surmise that leather care is required.
The idea of good leather care is to claim these layers for as long as possible. Daily wear and tear results in the build up of grime, dust, body oils and food stains which can breakdown the layers in turn changing the condition and appearance of leather.
Care Tips
To keep your leather products finding their best, corollary the steps below.
1. Protection
All leather should be protected. Leather is susceptible to inviting dyes so it is important to apply a protector before wear. A good protector should also be applied commonly to help resist the effects of daily soiling. Select a good water based leather protector if you chose to purchase one. Otherwise beewax mixed with olive oil makes a good homemade alternative.
To make a protector at home, melt 1 ounce of beeswax with 1/2 cup of oil (almond, walnut, or olive oil) in a microwave or in a duplicate boiler. When melted, remove the compound and stir. Apply to leather while the compound is warm.
2. Cleaning
Leather items can be difficult to clean because leather is such a natural product. Saddle soap is a cheap cleaner available from feed or pet/tack stores. Saddle soap works wonders but can be too tough on delicate leathers. For delicate items clean plainly by wiping with a damp cloth. Once wholly dry, treat your leather with a conditioner.
3. Conditioning
Leather conditioners serve the purpose of lubricating and maintaining the suppleness of your leather purchase. Conditioners should only be used sparingly. Make a conditioner at home using mild baby soaps. 1 teaspoon of baby soap, with a consolidate of drops of vinegar in a litre of warm water should do the job. Daub over leather and air dry to see results. Remember to never apply conditioners on any suede, metallic, pearlised, embossed or patent leathers and test first before applying.
4. Polishing
Polishing removes fingerprints, dust and water stains from leather. Vinegar mixed with water makes a great polisher. Once finished, add petroleum jelly for shine. Petroleum jelly also prevents cracking over winter. Lemon juice and olive oil is great for buffing hard leathers.
5. Storing
Store your leather items in a cover bag when not in use. Never store any leather items in plastic as they cannot breathe and all the time store them in a cool, dry place away from heat.
Thanks for reading. I hope this helps. To avoid the hassle, artificial leathers is a great alternative to purchasing leather. artificial leather gives you the luxe leather look without the price or the hassle. Hip Industries sells affordable and stylish mens bags in artificial leathers.
Taking Care of Leather