Leather is such a quality fabric that serves you well the longer you have it. Worn leather will never go out of fashion and there is something to be said for owning a vintage leather jacket- it just gets better with age. On the flip side, it’s very resource intensive to manufacture, so it is important to look after your leather items to keep them in good condition and prolong their life.
To keep leather garments clean/fresh
- Have the garment cleaned by a reputable dry cleaner.
- Ensure garments that have anything moist in contact with them are cleaned regularly, e.g. sweat, rain, alcohol etc.
- Don’t let an item become too dirty before having it cleaned.
- Point out any stains or ingrained soiling to the dry cleaner (it is possible to remove most stains from leather as well as odours).
Note: Incorrect care/cleaning of leather can cause it to crack and dry out, remove finishes/colours, or make it too stiff to wear.
Cleaning leather items yourself
Refer to the care label of your garment to see what type of leather it is made from, what finishes are applied and how the manufacturer recommends you should clean it. There are different types of cleaner for different types of leather, so please ensure you use the correct one. Always do a patch test in an inconspicuous area, then leave for a few hours to ensure they are safe to use. Do not use shoe polish on leather clothing, even if it is intended for leather shoes.
Smooth finish
- Regularly dust or brush with a soft cloth or brush and wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth.
- Occasional treatment with specialist leather cleaners can be carried out, strictly following the manufacturers' instructions. Never use excessive quantities.
- Small marks can be removed by gently rubbing them with a soft rubber eraser.
Patent
- Clean with a damp cloth and a little detergent if needed.
- Shine with a leather cleaner suitable for patent leather.
Suede and nubuck
- Clean items regularly with a soft cloth and/or a soft nubuck or suede brush (or an old toothbrush), to regenerate the nap and remove dust/dirt. Using circular motions and don’t brush each area too much - as this will damage the surface.
- Marks can be removed by rubbing gently with a suede cleaning block, a hard rubber eraser, or by touching up the surface with a fine emery paper.
- Spray new/clean items with a specialist leather protectant to help retain its colour and appearance. Ensure you raise the nap before spraying by using a soft brush.
- Never use polish on suede or nubuck leather.
Water resistance
There are many ‘leather protector’ or ‘leather waterproofing’ products available. Ensure you read the label carefully before using. A silicone or acrylic spray should preserve the appearance of your leather. Grease-based or wax-based products are more protective, but not recommended for garments as they can affect colour, longevity, shine, and smell.
Top tip: The treatment will make the leather garment resistant to water damage, it will not be fully waterproof, therefore never immerse a leather garment in water. If your garment does get wet, put it on a clothes hanger and dry at room temperature away from sunlight and direct sources of heat. If the leather was thoroughly soaked, apply leather conditioner after drying.
Repairing leather
- If your leather item is torn, it might be possible to repair it. Leather repair kits are available online.
- Leather stitching is best repaired with either a hand lock stitch or an industrial sewing machine. A professional leather cleaner or a good cobbler should be able to help.
- Scuff marks can often be disguised with shoe polish, leather dye or permanent marker pen. Try a patch test first.
Removing wrinkles/creases from a leather garment
Prevent creases by storing the garment on a clothes hanger. If there are large wrinkles/creases, take the garment to a professional leather cleaner. Alternatively, set a clothes iron to the lowest setting, place the leather under a cloth, and quickly iron it (ensure you do a patch test first).
Storing leather
- Keep in a cool, dry, well ventilated area. It must be protected from heat, direct sunlight and chemicals.
- If your garment needs to be covered - do not store it in plastic as this can cause the leather to dry out - use a natural breathable fibre such as cotton.
- When putting leather items such as bags and shoes away at the end of a season, they should be cleaned and then gently stuffed with and wrapped in acid free tissue paper. Shoe trees can be used in shoes if you have them. Store them in cardboard boxes.
Care of faux leather
Faux leather usually just requires a wipe with a damp soapy cloth to keep it clean. If you have a garment made from faux leather, care instructions will be given on the garment care label.
However, stain protection is a good way of protecting faux leather from dirt.
If faux leather gets dirty, leather cleaner should remove the dirt – but ensure you do a patch test to check the cleaner is alright to use on your product. If you do clean your faux leather, apply a conditioner afterwards to stop it getting too dry.
Photo by leah hetteberg on Unsplash
