Leather Cleaning Tips

Leather items are very popular due to their majestic look and durability. If maintained properly, leather goods are extremely durable and long-lasting. Usually hides of cattle, buffalo, alligators, ostriches and snakes are used for manufacturing a large number of leather products including furniture, shoes, clothing and accessories like wallets, belts, purses, jackets, etc. Leather products can be classified mainly into two types, finished leather and unfinished leather. So, before applying any cleaning product, it is essential to make sure that what can be used on a particular type of leather. Use of any unsuitable product can ruin the finish of leather items and reduce their lifespan.

Leather Cleaning Tips
Cleaning leather is not a very easy task. You have to take proper care not to spoil your leather items by inappropriate and injudicious use of harsh chemicals. Before using any commercial product, check the label to make sure that it does not contain too many chemicals. The best way to keep leather clean is to prevent any kind of stain and accumulation of dirt and dust. It is essential to keep them conditioned, otherwise, they can become dry and stiff. Here are some tips on cleaning leather that may help you in keeping your leather furniture and garments free from dirt and stains.

Cleaning Tips for Finished Leather
For cleaning finished leather products, only the recommended cleaning products should be used. Mild moisturizing soap can also be used for cleaning stains from finished leather. First, make a very light lather with a soft damp cloth or sponge and gently rub the stained area. Use another damp cloth for wiping, but make sure that you do not rinse leather. Use a dry soft cloth or towel to wipe up any remaining moisture and let it dry completely. Once it has dried, you can use a good leather conditioner to restore the normal level of moisture.

Cleaning Tips for Unfinished Leather
For cleaning unfinished leather, saddle soap or lather soap, which are especially designed for leather cleaning can be used. For using saddle soap, first make a light foam with a soft damp cloth or sponge and then proceed in the same way as in case of finished leather. Once cleaning is done, allow it to dry and then apply leather preservative to it.

Leather Furniture Cleaning Tips
Leather furniture is cherished for its classic look and durability. Cleaning leather furniture is very important to retain that look. Follow some simple leather sofa cleaning tips like using water based foam leather cleaners, and avoiding the conditioners that contain waxes and silicone. Also do not use solvents or abrasive cleaners on leather furniture. Soak up any kind of spill immediately to avoid the appearance of hard stains. Regular dusting with the help of a cotton cloth or vacuum cleaner is sufficient to remove dirt and prevent stains.

Cleaning Tips for Leather Shoes and Clothing
Leather shoes are more likely to sustain tough stains. Use white vinegar to clean them, followed by the application of cold pressed nut oil and olive oil. Leave these oils for sometime, so that the leather shoes can absorb them. Then with the help of a lint free cloth buff them to shine.

For cleaning leather clothing, you can try a mixture of castile soap, olive oil and a few drops of grapefruit seed extract. Essential oils can be added to this mixture, which will freshen the cloths by removing odor. Water, about ½ a gallon, should be added to this mixture before applying on the garments with a soft cloth. This not only cleanses, but also conditions leather garments.

Homemade Leather Cleaner
An effective homemade leather cleaner as well as conditioner can be made by combining vinegar and Neat's-foot oil or linseed oil. The amount of Neat's-foot oil or linseed oil should be double than that of vinegar. Use a soft cloth to buff leather with this mixture. For removing stains, toothpaste can also be applied on leather. Gently scrub the stained area with some toothpaste and then wipe it off with a damp cloth. Nail polish removers, only the non-acetone based ones, can be used for removing ink stains from leather. Another important homemade leather cleaner can be prepared with the help of lemon juice and cream of tartar. Just mix equal parts of lemon juice and cream of tartar to make a fine paste. Apply this on the stain and then wipe off with a clean damp cloth.

These simple leather cleaning tips will help you to maintain your leather products. Leather items easily fade in sunlight. So, keep them away from direct sunlight. Also do not store them in damp places, as this will promote the growth of mold and mildews. In all, leather products need to be protected from the extremities of weather. Before using any kind of cleaning product, it is advisable to try it on a small inconspicuous area on the leather. It is also recommended to consult a professional to know more about leather cleaning and the types of products that can be safely used for this.