Leather is a great material for a wide range of products, including jackets, notebooks, and boots. Be sure to check out the best leather gifts for anniversary right here. This material is known for its durability, meaning that it is ideal for items that you want to use for a long time.
Yet, it is essential to take care of your leather items to ensure that they last for as long as possible. To help keep these leather goods in good condition, follow these handy tips:
Top Tips For Making Your Leather Items Last For Longer
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Use Leather Conditioner
Leather conditioner is a great product that will prevent this material from becoming dry. These conditioners will nourish the leather, causing it to develop a soft texture. It's advised that you condition your leather products approximately once every six months.
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Clean Your Leather Goods
If you want to keep your leather items looking fresh, it is important to frequently clean them. This cleaning does not need to be thorough. Instead, it could be as simple as occasionally removing dust with a horsehair brush.
When it comes to cleaning leather furniture or clothing, you can usually wash it by creating a mixture of water and mild dish soap. Delicately wash these leather surfaces with a small amount of this cleaning solution.
You need to be extremely careful when washing your leather products. For the most part, they cannot be cleaned by putting them in the washing machine, as this could ruin the leather. If you are unsure about how best to clean a leather product, it may be best to consult the aid of a professional cleaner.
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Utilize The Correct Storage Methods
Utilizing the right storage methods is essential for protecting your leather goods. This is because the elements can harm your leather. In particular, you need to ensure that your leather items are far away from direct sunlight. This is because this sunlight will cause the oils in leather to evaporate, thus causing it to develop a dry texture.
Aside from avoiding sunlight, you also need to guarantee that you do not store your leather products in high temperatures or moist locations. To ensure that your shoes retain their shape, you should utilize a shoe tree.
For leather jackets, you should avoid folding them or wrapping them in plastic. Instead, you can hang your leather jacket with a wooden hanger and protect it with a garment bag.
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Consider The Type Of Leather You Have
There are lots of different types of leather, which will impact what steps you should take to keep the material clean and healthy. Identifying the variety of leather that you have is essential. Here are some of the main varieties:
- Bonded leather: to make bonded leather, scraps from different pieces of leather will be combined. This material may also be known as blended leather. Generally, bonded leather is the lowest quality of leather, though it is much more affordable than other forms.
- Full grain leather: this is taken from the most durable part of the animal, making this leather ideal for sturdy items. Due to the high quality of this leather, it has developed a luxurious reputation and high price tag.
- Genuine leather: this will simply mean that real leather has been used in the product. Suede is an excellent example of genuine leather.
- Faux leather: made from synthetic materials, faux leather is generally suitable for vegans. This more affordable leather is less durable than genuine leather. Yet, it is also much easier to clean, as it can generally be washed by machine or hand washed.
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Polish Leather Items
Last but not least, it is important to regularly polish your leather items. This is recommended for leather shoes and boots, as the polish will ensure that your leather products look perfectly shiny. The polishing process will also get rid of scuffs.
Many polishes that you use on your leather shoes will also have a nourishing effect, which will prevent the material from becoming too dry.
Shoes are not the only leather items that you should consider polishing. Leather belts, wallets, and bags can also be polished to give them a sensational shine. Though you can polish leather furniture or jackets, this is not always practical.
Choosing the right type of polish is essential. It is available in different forms, though wax polish is the most popular variety. Apply the polish with a high-quality horsehair brush. When polishing your leather objects, protect nearby surfaces to prevent them from becoming dirty.
Final Thoughts
Leather is an ideal material for lots of different items, including furniture, clothing, and stationary. It offers plenty of benefits, such as durability and breathability. Not to mention, the leather looks amazing. To ensure that your leather products stay in a high-quality condition, follow these handy tips.