First determine if your leather item is finished or unfinished. In general finished leather items will have a shiny or smooth surface which may be luggage, handbags, wallets, or garments. Unfinished leather and suede usually have a natural dull finish or nappy finish like saddlery, work boots and shoes or sport gloves.
Purchase good leather cleaner and rub it into the leather in even circular motions. After using the cleaner use a leather conditioner. Leather Balm with Atom Wax Leather Conditioner is an excellent dressing, which will clean, soften, and condition leather. Saddle soap is not recommended for use on a leather couch is too harsh for furniture.
Keep leather out of direct daylight as it will fade or discolor the leather. One idea for removing spots from leather is to rub the spot with a cloth that has been dipped in rubbing alcohol. Contrary to what it would seem water spots can be removed from leather by moistening the area again with a little water. Let dry or gently blow dry and then oil leather with a leather treatment such as mink oil.
Wipe leather shoes often with a damp cloth. Keep shoes polished with a shoe polish paste. If leather shoes should become soaked with water, let air-dry with shoe trees in place. Regarding discoloration use a leather spray to bring back the color to leather garments, gloves and bags.
Initially try it on a small amount of leather conditioner in a spot not apparent in case your particular brand of leather does not react well to the treatment. Saddle soap should not be used on a leather couch, as it is too unkind for leather furniture. Do not use products like mink oil, shoe polish and waxes when cleaning leather furniture or garments. Use a damp cloth or sponge to rub saddle soap into the leather working the soap into a light lather. Oil leather with a leather stabilizer such as mink oil or leather balm.
Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime. Cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of body oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this. For car leather seats the owners manual says to use a 5% solution of detergent made for wool (Woolite). Sounds unusual, but it cleans and protects leather of all kinds.
Another option for cleaning leather is to take a damp cloth, wipe it across moisturizing soap and lather the leather. Remember: When removing spots from leather, always test any cleaning method on an out-of-the-way spot first.
For suede shoes, try an art gum eraser first and if that doesn’t do the trick, use undiluted white vinegar on a soft cloth, and be sure to blot — never rub when cleaning suede. Suede is an unfinished type of leather that needs to be handled carefully. Some people recommend inexpensive leather cleaning processes, like baking soda or salt.
The best technique for cleaning leather is determined by the type of the stain and the kind of the leather. Always test the cleaning on a small invisible patch of leather before proceeding on the whole item. You should also follow cleaning with Fiebing Suede and Fabric Coat leather protector which will act like a defender against soils and hold back dirt and stains from being absorbed. This will make cleaning the leather easier the next time.
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