Leather Cleaning
 Whether
you've just invested in a leather
attaché, leather briefcase, or other
fine leather product be sure to protect
that investment by taking care of it.
Because leather is a natural product, it
needs only very little care during
normal usage. Please note, however,
leather dries out with age, sunlight,
perspiration, humidity and other natural
causes. When leather dries out, tiny
cracks appear in the leather and the
dyes. These small cracks can become
quite noticeable. Prolonged drying
increases the severity of cracks. In
extreme dryness, leather becomes so
brittle that it can literally crack into
pieces.
The leathers that currently go into
manufacturing most of today's fine
leather items are Protected leathers and
can be cleaned with a very mild, soapy
solution mixed with a little bit of
water.
Unprotected leathers (i.e. pure
anilines) require special handling. For
this you would want to obtain a quality
cleaning and conditioning leather care
product. As a preventative, one should
apply a conditioning cream when you
first purchase the item and again before
you start to use the item. Then, apply a
small amount of cream several times
throughout the year. Because Unprotected
leather is susceptible to spotting from
water and other liquids, a newly
purchased leather item should be treated
immediately to help prevent permanent
stains from occurring.
A good leather cream cleans and
protects. It cleans the leather removing
dirt and soil but does not remove the
natural oils that protect the leather.
It also conditions the leather without
clogging the pores; this allows the
leather to breathe and prevents the
leather from drying out and cracking.
Some leather creams and products may
darken or alter the color of leather. So
be sure to test the leather conditioner
on an inconspicuous area of the piece
before applying it all over.
How to
clean leather.
Leather will initially repel most
liquids. However, if left to stand over
an extended period of time, it will be
absorbed. That is why it is important to
mop up spills immediately. Even if the
spill is absorbed, it will dissipate in
time, just as human skin will absorb and
eventually diffuse stains.
For spots and spills, blot the excess
liquid immediately. Use a clean
absorbent cloth or sponge. If necessary,
use lukewarm water and gently wipe the
spill, dry with a clean towel and then
allow it to air dry.
For stubborn spots and stains, use a
mild solution of Ivory soap and lukewarm
water. Apply the Ivory soap with a clean
wet sponge and wash. Then rinse. Let air
dry naturally. Always try cleaning in a
small hidden patch initially to be sure
of the results.
For butter, oil or grease, wipe excess
off the leather with a clean, dry cloth.
Then, leave the spot alone. It should
dissipate into the leather in a short
period of time. Do not apply water when
trying to wash away oil or grease spots,
it will not help.
Do not use saddle soap, oils, abrasive
cleaners, furniture polish, varnish,
window cleaner, kerosene or ammonia. The
leather has already been permanently
preserved in the tanning process and
needs no maintenance other than the
simple cleaning recommended above.
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