Leather products are not exactly cheap. After all, it is a natural product that is very durable and has a long shelf life, provided it is cared for properly. And proper leather care is also the keyword for our topic today. So that you can enjoy your leather products for a long time and keep them looking like new, the right care technique with suitable products is the be-all and end-all. And the type of leather also plays an important role. So today you can find out from us what you should pay attention to depending on the type of leather and what the right leather care products are. We will also explain to you whether and to what extent home remedies can help with leather care.
Leather care and home remedies – are they effective?
To make leather last, it is preserved. To do this, it goes through a preservation process called tanning. The right leather care should continue this process so that the leather remains supple and crack-resistant for a long time and is protected from its own decay. This is also the reason why home remedies are not suitable for this purpose. Sooner or later these spoil on the leather, which also results in it deteriorating more quickly. Special leather care products are therefore the better choice because they are manufactured in such a way that they are also protected from spoilage.
Home remedies and products such as milk, potatoes, onions, banana peels, eggs or even body lotion are often recommended for cleaning leather and leather care. But the fact is that these products can not only make the leather or the area to be cleaned worse, but can also interrupt the preservation process for the reason already mentioned. In addition, there are unpleasant smells, which, for example, result in onions and for furniture andLeather clothingare particularly disadvantageous. In most cases, you are actually more likely to do the leather some good with a simple damp cloth than with themcommon home remedies. If you care for leather, home remedies are not recommended. Instead, it is better to invest in special funds instead of saving in the wrong places.
Use the right leather care products
No matter which leather care product you choose, make sure that it does not contain any silicones. These clog the pores of the leather.
Leather care milk
Nursing milk is a mixture of water and various fats. What is typical for this milk is that it is very thin. This allows it to penetrate deeper into the leather. The best way to apply it is to use a soft cloth onto which you apply a little of the care milk and then gradually rub it into the entire leather.
Nourishing cream
The cream, on the other hand, is, as you might have guessed, thicker, but is used for the same purpose. Because the care cream is thicker, it cannot penetrate as deeply.
Conductive grease
Care grease is a rather controversial product as some people believe that it clogs the pores of the leather. However, there is no real evidence of this. Grease is only used to care for smooth leather. Because it moisturizes, the surface always remains somewhat greasy, but this also has a water-repellent effect and can therefore protect the leather from water and other stains by preventing liquids from penetrating the leather.
Leather care oil
The oil is also intended for use on smooth leather. The risk when using it is that the leather gets a permanently oily surface. This is what the oil and the care grease have in common. But these two products prove to be very promising and effective, especially for dried out or very firm leather that has not been properly cared for for a long time.
Waterproofing spray
This spray makes the leather material more resistant to dirt and moisture. For this reason it is often used to care for leather shoes. But that's not the only place where the spray proves to be very practical. It can also be used on other leather products. This is an irritating product that should only be used outdoors.
Care for types of leather properly
Smooth leather
Smooth leather is divided into two subtypes: open-pored and covered smooth leather. The open-pored smooth leather, in which the natural texture can still be perfectly recognized, is also called aniline leather because it is colored with aniline dyes.For cleaning, as well as for care, the care milk is recommended. The cream can also be used for leather care.
The covered smooth leather is also dyed with aniline like the open-pore leather, but it also has an opaque pigmentation. This is where the two terms “open-pored” and “covered” come from. By covering the pores, the leather also becomes more resilient. For this reason, you can also use a care grease or oil for care. But don't overdo it with the quantity, use the products sparingly.
Regular leather care with the products mentioned is recommended. Then you can be sure that the leather will remain supple for a long time. If you do spill something on it, avoid rubbing movements when cleaning, as this will help the liquid penetrate even deeper into the pores. Instead, blot away the stains. The best way to absorb liquids that have already penetrated is to press a kitchen towel onto the area. Stains that were not removed immediately can be cleaned with special foam or rubber.
Suede care
As the name suggests, these are rough types of leather, which also include suede. Since these do not have such a smooth surface, they are also more susceptible to dirt and moisture, which is why impregnation is recommended. It is best to do this immediately after purchase. Even with this type of leather, liquids are best simply dabbed off.
Use a sponge or other material that is highly absorbent. This is even more important here than with smooth leather, as moisture penetrates even faster and easier. That's why water is forbidden for cleaning. This causes stains that remain permanently on the leather. The best way to remove dirt is to use a suede brush. You can also use it to repair the rough surface structure.
Faux leather
If you want to properly care for artificial leather, the care products for real leather are not suitable. Products that contain oils should also be avoided, as these attack the artificial leather. Instead, care products that are specifically intended for artificial leather are recommended. However, keep in mind that these will not prevent the faux leather from becoming brittle over time.
Depending on what the leather was used for, it will of course be stressed in different ways. Gloves, for example, tend to get dirty quickly, while a belt that is worn often will soon become damaged. The surfaces of the leather couch and car seats are in turn abraded or scratched. Depending on the situation, different leather care and cleaning needs to be carried out. A few tips below:
The leather belt
Somehow you can't please the leather belt. If you wear it very rarely and leave it in the closet, it dries out and becomes hard. If you wear it regularly instead, it will eventually crack and become brittle. Now what is right? You can prevent both problems by using leather grease or oil sparingly. In this way, the leather remains soft and flexible and can withstand periods of rest in the closet as well as the movements and bending when worn. The belt is also provided with a protective layer that prevents it from getting dirty too quickly. These two products are only suitable for smooth leather. Care oil can be used for more sensitive leather.
Light stains can be removed with water in a circular motion. For more stubborn ones, it is best to use curd soap or neutral soap. The special saddler's soap is also suitable. Distilled water is preferred as it leaves no edges. Clean the area in a circular motion to minimize penetration into the pores. You can first dab fresh stains with a cloth. Allow the belt to air dry.
Care for and clean the leather couch and armchair
Leather furniture should ideally be cleaned once a week. But before you get started, test whether the leather is washable in an invisible area by spraying a few drops of water. If the drops remain on the surface, you can wipe them. However, if you move in, dry cleaning (dusting) or at most only slightly damp cleaning is possible. Finally, the surfaces must always be carefully rubbed as dry as possible.
Leather care should be carried out once or twice a year. This is particularly recommended before winter, as the dry air from the heating also dries out the leather. To do this, use a product that is tailored to the respective type of leather, which you can find out about in stores. Care products protect the leather and keep it supple and shiny. Leather care should always be carried out after basic cleaning so that the leather pores are unclogged beforehand. The care product can then be absorbed into the leather. The following applies to cleaning:
Leather care for smooth leather furniture
Since smooth leather only absorbs dirt to a limited extent, it is sufficient to wipe the piece of furniture with a dry duster to remove crumbs, dust and other dirt from everyday life. If necessary, basic cleaning is carried out with a simple damp cloth.
Suede furniture
Cleaning more sensitive leather is a little more complex and requires more caution. Dirt such as crumbs and dust can be removed with a vacuum cleaner. Basic cleaning and cleaning of stains is carried out using mild soapy water and a cloth that you do not wet too much. Instead, always wring out the cloth as hard as possible so that as little moisture as possible can penetrate the leather. Avoid rubbing one spot too hard or for too long, as this can cause shiny spots.
Leather gloves
Although leather gloves are items of clothing, they should of course not be put in the washing machine. However, since they come into contact with a lot of dirt, simply wiping them is usually not enough. Hand washing with lukewarm water and mild soap is the right solution. To dry, simply leave the leather gloves in the air. Under no circumstances should they be placed on the stove, a heater or other heat source for this purpose. Then the leather hardens and shrinks. Remove stains from suede with a soft brush.
Caring for leather gloves is just as easy. Use care oil or cream that you allow to absorb for a long time. Only then can the gloves be worn again. Give the products enough time to penetrate the leather to ensure its lasting elasticity and to maintain or refresh the shine.
Leather care for your wallet
It is constantly in use and therefore puts a lot of strain on your wallet. For this reason it is replaced relatively often. But if you're fed up with it or have a special piece of jewelry that you don't want to replace so quickly, this is itproper leather careYour helper. The smooth leather can be cleaned quickly and easily with a damp cloth, after which you can pamper it with nourishing milk or cream. Although oil and fat are theoretically suitable, they are rather unpleasant because they have a moisturizing effect and your wallet will always feel greasy. You can clean suede leather wallets gently like suede leather furniture.
Care for and clean leather bag
The bag is an everyday companion and helper that also needs sufficient leather care. Waterproofing it immediately after purchase is the first step in order to be able to use the bag for a long time. The subsequent care naturally depends on the type of leather. Then use the care tips and products already mentioned. Is your favorite bag already showing some tears? Don't despair, because in many cases these can be quickly concealed with color cream. After application, distribute this again with a brush. This way you avoid deposits on branches.
Clean and care for leather watch straps
Sweat is just one of the many contaminants that the watch strap is exposed to. First remove any coarse dirt such as crumbs and dust with a dry cloth. Then use a soft cloth dampened with mild soapy water to wipe the band. To care for the leather, apply care milk or cream at the end. Here, too, as with your wallet, it is not advisable to use greasy care products.
Car seats
The best way to clean leather seats in the car is with special cleaners that you apply to a microfiber cloth after vacuuming the seats and then use to wipe the surfaces. Perforated areas are wiped with caution. There should be no moisture trapped in them. Then, for deep cleaning, spray a spray cleaner onto the seats and spread it with a soft brush. Perforated areas are not sprayed directly. With a dry and soft microfiber cloth, wipe this spray again, removing the dirt.
Then use a suitable leather care product, which you first distribute evenly and then leave to work for at least an hour. The car should not be exposed to the sun during this time. Then polish the surfaces by removing the excess agent with a microfiber cloth. Before you start caring for the leather in your car, test the product in advance on an invisible area.
