How to store leather hides: A complete guide by LeatherBlues
Real leather is a durable material that can easily last many decades and even a lifetime if it is properly taken care of. Care and maintenance of leather goods are necessary to ensure the long life of leather, but this is not enough; storing leather properly is equally important. Unfortunately, many people buy leather goods expecting them to last (as they should), but they end up ruining their beloved leather pieces simply because they don’t know how to store leather hides and finished goods. Not only retail consumers but sometimes even leather store owners make the mistake of not storing leather goods the right way.
Don’t worry, in this article we will discuss how to store leather hides and leather products. After reading this article, you will gain deep insight into the care and storage of your beloved leather goods. But before getting into the storage part, it is important to learn how to prepare the leather before storing it.
Table of Contents
Preparing leather hides for storage
After usage of leather, when its time to store them for the prolonged duration of time, you should prepare the leather for storage and that involves following steps:-
I.| Cleaning the leather
Before putting them to store, clean them properly with a good leather cleaner or with damp cloth to wipe off any dust and resedue. You should always clean your leather goods periodically to prevent damage. Now let it dry in the natural air
II.| Conditioning the Leather
After leather is cleaned and dried, apply a good quality conditioner that is specifically made for the leather. You can apply it with a clean cloth, wording in circular motion on small areas of leather at a time. Let it absorb the conditioner for few hours before storing
Ideal storage conditions
1.| Temperature
The ideal temperature to store leather lies in moderate temperature range, ideally between 65-72°F (18-22°C). You should avoid extreme temperature as it can make your leather hide brittle and will cause cracking
2.| Light Exposure
Real leather is like human skin especially if it is vegetable tanned leather, it tends to get affected by light just like our skins get tanned in sun if exposed long enough, real leather can also become darker if kept in light for so long and can develop dark patches on the exposed sides. You should always store leather in a cool, dry, and low-light environment. Direct sunlight can damage and fade the leather over time. Avoid storing leather near windows or lamps.
3.| Air Circulation
Ensure proper air circulation while storing leather hides as trapped air inside the leather hide can contain moisture which will lead to molds and mildew growth
4.| Humidity
Ensure the area with right humidity as too much humidity can lead to mold growth and spaces with much less humidity will make cause leather to dry out. Ideal humidity level is between 50-55%.
Storing positions for leather hides
Basically, there are three storing positions that are widely used to store leather hides. The type of storage position depends on the size of the leather hide. For instance, smaller leather hides are better stored flat, while larger ones should be stored in a hanging position. Medium-sized leather hides can be rolled for storage. Here’s the detailed overview
1.| Flat Storage
Flat storage is ideal position to store almost all types of leather hides but it is best to store smaller or thinner leather pieces, as well as some small leather goods like belts as hanging can cause stretching in thinner leather and due to the small size they cannot be rolled properly.
Flat storage will not only minimize the unwanted creases and wrinkles but they will also keep leather hides from cracking due to folding.
All it required for flat storage of leather is clean surface with enough space to lay the leather items separately as stacking up too many pieces of leather on each other will cause pressure marks and damage
2.| Rolled Storage
Rolling is another method which is widely used to keep leather hides in good shape. You must have seen rolled leather pieces at leather goods maker’s place. It is also a good option to store medium sized leather items like leather jackets and bags as large sized leather hides can be very difficult to roll at times.
Rolling the leather while storing not only keeps the leather from getting crease marks and wrinkles but it will also save you a lot of space as many rolls of leather can be paced at a smaller space
All it take is a large diameter (non acidic) cardboard tube to roll the leather loosely. Keep this in mind to not to roll the leather too tight as it can create smaller creases
3.| Hanging Storage
If you are dealing with the large and thick leather hides then hanging storage is the ideal position as larger hides can be really difficult to roll without causing wrinkles.
This mthod of storing leather provides additional benefits such as it gives you an easy access to inspect and use the required hide, also it saves you a lot of space on the floor which you can use to keep smaller leather hides or leather tools
All you need to store leather hanging is wide, smooth dowels or you can also use large diameter rounded wooden rods to avoid pressure marks on leather. Ensure good air circulation around the hanging hides to prevent moisture buildup.
But also keep this in mind that heavier leather tends to get stretched of kept hanging for long time to ensure using them before they get stretched to an desirable level
Tips to store leather hides and leather goods
1.| Never fold leather hides, as it creates permanent creases. Instead, roll them loosely around a cardboard tube (ideally acid-free) to minimize creasing.
2.| While storing leather pieces on the top of each other, separate layers of leather with acid-free tissue paper to prevent color transfer or sticking.
3.| When storing many leather hides together, ensure the surface is dry and free of dust to avoid scratching the leather.
4.| Stuffing (Optional): When storing leather goods like bags, wallets or purses, use acid-free tissue paper to stuff them to help them retain their shape. This prevents them from sagging or developing wrinkles.
5.| For storing leather shoes, use shoe trees made of wood or cedar to maintain their shape and absorb moisture. You can also use acid free tissue paper if you don’t have shoe trees.
6.| If possible always store leather goods on shelves or in compartments with adequate space to avoid them getting crammed or misshapen.
7.| To prevent the leather from getting molds and mildew you should ensure proper cleanliness of space and to ensure the cleanliness of the space you should implement preventative measures against insects and rodents that could damage the leather.
8.| Label your leather items with the type of leather, tanning method (if known), and date of storage for easy reference. So that you have a idea of when you had stored that particular leather piece
9.| As we have already mentioned storing is equally important as care and maintenance of leather so regularly check your stored leather for signs of mold, mildew, or insect damage. Address any issues promptly.
10.| Never put or wrap leather in plastic as it can trap moisture which will cause a serous harm to leather. You should use a breathable fabric instead.
11.| You should always avoid putting your leather items of cemented floor as cement can hold water which can be released when leather or any item is placed on it for considerable time period. You can use shelves instead to keep your leather pieces off the floor.
12.| Always roll leather goods with fur lining with lining on the inside. For a leather jacket with fur lining, start rolling from neck to the butt then tie it gently with a soft string.
13.| Separate oily leather pieces from non oily leather as it can cause stain oil stains in leather. Oily leather can cause stain not only on other leather but on anything so consider storing it separately.
14.| Place colored leather that may bleed its color like colored suede away from everything else or you can place a something between that will work like a barrier
15.| If you are dealing with raw leather hides that are generally salted then you should consider storing them on their own as they can cause salt stains in everything near to them and it can also attract rodents. Always ensures it is completely dried before storing.
16.| Avoid any metal contact with raw hides as the tanning agents used in chrome tanning and vegetable tanning can react with ferrous metals like iron, brass, nickel, copper or bronze and cause a permanent stain on leather.
Conclusion
Leather storage is a versatile and effective way to enhance the look and durability of your beloved leather goods. With careful preparation and storage, you can ensure longer life for your leather goods for years to come. Moreover, you should always invest in high-quality leather care products. To ensure they are suitable for the type of leather you are using, you should thoroughly read the product label. If you have any doubts or queries about leather and leather care products, you can comment down below in the comment section and I will definitely try to help you with that.
For more information on leather products, you can check our other articles or you can contact us. LeatherBlues is known as one of the best stores for real leather products. Explore our amazing collection of leather garments and services.
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