Bringing home a new accessory can be fun and exciting. If you are looking at adding leather goods to your collection you need to know how to look after them properly. This will ensure that they keep looking their best even after being used for an extended period of time.
There are many different types of hide used to make garments, footwear and other goods. Some are thicker than others. A lot of leather is made from the skin of cows and lambs but there are some exotic animals that are prized for their distinctive hides.
You may have seen garments made from this material that are cracking, flaking or discolored. This is because the material has dried out. While certain climate conditions can cause it to dry out faster than others all hide will do this to a certain extent. While an animal is alive it produces oil that keeps its skin soft and supple but this ends when the hide is removed. The only way to stop the process is to apply oils or moisturizers on a regular basis.
Before you use any care product on your garment or accessory, you need to know what kind of leather you are dealing with. Some exotic leathers can be very delicate and using the wrong products on them may end up damaging them permanently. You may find that speaking to the person who sold you the item is a good first start as they may have care tips and tricks that will help you in the long run.
You should also consider what kind of item you are caring for. The type of item it is as well as the conditions it is being used in will also affect how you are looking after it. For example, a pair of shoes or boots will need a different level of care than you would give to a purse or other item that is rarely used and not exposed to dirt or moisture.
Cleaning off the surface with a soft brush or cloth is a good idea. If you have time you may want to let any wet materials such as mud dry on the surface of the item. This will often mean that after it has dried you can simply brush it and have the dried material fall off. It can be time consuming and frustrating to try and wipe mud off of a garment or accessory as this may end up spreading the mess even further.
Cleansing products may not work for all hides. One designed for suede will not work as well on a different material. If you have a suede item and you use a product designed for other types of hide it can permanently damage the unique uneven surface of the leather.
Once you have cleaned your garment or accessory you should make sure to condition the hide. This replaces any lost oils or moisture and can keep things feeling soft and supple. Applying a protective product is also a good idea at this point. Then you can wear or carry your item knowing that it is clean and looking its best.
There are many different types of hide used to make garments, footwear and other goods. Some are thicker than others. A lot of leather is made from the skin of cows and lambs but there are some exotic animals that are prized for their distinctive hides.
You may have seen garments made from this material that are cracking, flaking or discolored. This is because the material has dried out. While certain climate conditions can cause it to dry out faster than others all hide will do this to a certain extent. While an animal is alive it produces oil that keeps its skin soft and supple but this ends when the hide is removed. The only way to stop the process is to apply oils or moisturizers on a regular basis.
Before you use any care product on your garment or accessory, you need to know what kind of leather you are dealing with. Some exotic leathers can be very delicate and using the wrong products on them may end up damaging them permanently. You may find that speaking to the person who sold you the item is a good first start as they may have care tips and tricks that will help you in the long run.
You should also consider what kind of item you are caring for. The type of item it is as well as the conditions it is being used in will also affect how you are looking after it. For example, a pair of shoes or boots will need a different level of care than you would give to a purse or other item that is rarely used and not exposed to dirt or moisture.
Cleaning off the surface with a soft brush or cloth is a good idea. If you have time you may want to let any wet materials such as mud dry on the surface of the item. This will often mean that after it has dried you can simply brush it and have the dried material fall off. It can be time consuming and frustrating to try and wipe mud off of a garment or accessory as this may end up spreading the mess even further.
Cleansing products may not work for all hides. One designed for suede will not work as well on a different material. If you have a suede item and you use a product designed for other types of hide it can permanently damage the unique uneven surface of the leather.
Once you have cleaned your garment or accessory you should make sure to condition the hide. This replaces any lost oils or moisture and can keep things feeling soft and supple. Applying a protective product is also a good idea at this point. Then you can wear or carry your item knowing that it is clean and looking its best.
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