Whether you like alligator wallets, a nice leather jacket or a comfy leather couch, many of us have leather products that we adore. However, over time, you may notice your leather products looking a little aged and like their best days are behind them.
Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case. There are some things you can do to keep your leather products always looking their best, and this blog post is going to go over a few of them.
Be Careful When Using/Wearing the Leather
First and foremost, you need to be careful when using and wearing your leather products or using leather for upholstery. While the environment a product is in can damage or ruin it, it is often our doing. We may spill something on the leather, rip it on something, scratch it with something or any number of other things.
All of these have the potential to wear your leather and make it look worse over time. Always be careful to avoid having sharp or rough objects next to your leather, and be careful not to get it caught on a hook, in a door or in some other way. You don’t need to baby the leather, per se, but you should do your best to exhibit caution when around things that could damage it.
Keep Them Clean
Keeping your leather clean is another great way to prolong its life. Over time things like dust, dirt, oil and other debris will come in contact with your leather products. When this occurs, it is best to act quickly and ensure you clean the leather quickly.
Frequent light cleanings with a soft towel can often do the trick, but every now and then you may need to use a toothbrush or some water for a deeper clean. Of course, be sure to dry the leather off successfully after each cleaning, too. In some cases, you may be able to wax your leather products to give them an extra layer of protection against dirt and debris.
Don’t Let Them Get Too Dry
While you don’t want your leather to be soaking wet, you also don’t want it to be too dry. If leather is dry, cracking and brittle, it can look awful and become much weaker and prone to additional damage. If you notice your leather is a bit dry, consider getting some conditioner to bring back some moisture in the leather.
The proper way to add conditioner to your leather is to add a small amount to a soft brush, towel or cloth. Then, gently rub the conditioner in using light circular motions until it has absorbed. Of course, be sure to choose the right product and ensure it won’t damage your leather.
Avoid Using Products With Harsh Chemicals
Speaking of things that can damage your leather, you want to avoid products that use harsh chemicals like the plague. Some soaps can be full of chemicals that can dry out and damage your leather. Even commonly-used ingredients in cleaners like baking soda or vinegar can be too harsh, so be careful.
While you can create some DIY solutions, it might be a better option to simply purchase a product that has been created solely for cleaning leather and doesn’t contain anything that could damage it. Either way, it is a good idea to test any cleaner or conditioner on a small patch of leather to make sure before applying it on your entire couch, wallet or jacket.
Properly Store Your Leather
While we love our leather, there may be a time we need to store it away for a few weeks or months. To keep it looking great, you also need to be sure to store your leather correctly. Also store them somewhere breathable, but away from places that are too humid. In general, a fabric bag or wood trunk are good ideas for storing leather.
Leather doesn’t always respond well to heat and light, so keep the product somewhere relatively dark and with a moderate temperature. Also, if you have a leather jacket you love, consider hanging it to prevent wrinkles. Also, you can stuff the arms and/or legs or leather clothing to help them better retain their shape.
In conclusion, these hacks and tips will be able to help you keep your leather products looking great for much longer.
