Genuine leather clothes, accessories and furniture are stylish, but it often very expensive. But unfortunately, the porous surface of leather makes it highly susceptible to mildew build up in humid climates if it’s not properly cared for. Care of leather depends partly on the type of the leather. With a few preventative measures and a conscientious attitude toward cleaning and caring for your leather accesories, though, you can protect your purchases, prolong their life and keep them in top condition. There are some care tips common to all types of leather that you can followed. Here they are:
- Determine the type of leather of your accesories is made from. It is the first step after you have purchased your leather accesories. Don’t forget to check the tag and look at the texture of the leather.
- Condition and waterproof your leather accesories, by using a conditioner specially formulated for leather periodically.
- Apply cleaning and conditioning products to the rag, not directly on the leather.
- Clean according to the type of leather:
For deer skin or patent leather, a damp rag and mild soap is all that is needed to clean.
For suede, you‘ll need to erase the stain with a pink rubber eraser.
For grease stains, apply ground blackboard chalk first to absorb the stain. (Avoid using any cleaning products that have harsh chemicals in them). - Store your leather accesories without covering it. Placing it on a shelf in a dark, cool closet is best.
- Never put your leather accesories in a plastic bag or any other nonporous material, as this can contribute to the growth of mildew.
- Keep your leather accesories in a location far removed from any direct sunlight, which can damage the leather.