Leather care mistakes you should avoid
A good quality leather is a tough material that can easily last up to 20 years and even more if taken care of properly. We have seen some leather goods outlasting their owners, and that is one of the reasons why humans have been using leather for thousands of years. Even to this day, no other material can compete with real leather in terms of durability. As we have mentioned already, leather can only last long when it is properly taken care of, and many people are aware of this fact and take care of their leather goods responsibly. However, despite knowing that they should take good care of leather, they tend to make some leather care mistakes that they should avoid at any cost. In this article, we are going to discuss some of the most common mistakes that leather users make and how you can avoid them. So let’s get started with the most obvious one: not cleaning leather goods regularly.
Table of Contents
1.| Not cleaning your leather goods regularly
The most common mistake people is not keeping their leather jackets and other items clean as they think leather is a tough material and it will survive just like that or they do not have proper knowledge of leather care. Well if you also procrastinate cleaning your leather goods regularly then you should not. Cleaning the leather goods is not as difficult of a task as people think it is. You just have to wipe the dust and grime off your leather item with a damp microfiber cloth and that’s it. Your leather jacket is again ready for a new challenge
2.| Cleaning too often
More often than not, people also make a mistake that is the opposite of what we discussed previously: cleaning their leather goods too much. By cleaning, we do not mean that you should clean the leather every day. We mean that you should do it regularly, once a week, or every two weeks, depending on the usage and conditions it has been exposed to. However, wiping it daily with a damp cloth and brush will only lead to premature surface deterioration and scratches. So if you make this leather care mistake, you should stop.
3.| Harsh and low-quality leather care products
Some people just buy anything off the shelf or from an online store when it comes to leather care products. However, you should do thorough research before buying anything to use on leather. Most of the time, these care products are not even meant to be used on leather as they have a higher pH than that of leather and can be extremely harmful. You should always refer to the manufacturer’s label and online reviews of the item before buying and make sure it is safe to use on the type of leather you are dealing with. Many people make mistakes when buying a simple product such as a leather cleaner. To learn more about the types of leather, you can check out our other article on different types of leather.
4.| Not prioritizing optimum storage
Proper storage of leather is equally important as taking care of leather however, unfortunately not many people are aware of this simple fact and they often end up storing their leather goods just like other items that are not made from real leather. You should avoid this storage mistake at any cost when you are dealing with real leather. You should always store your leather jackets in a cool, shaded, dry, and properly ventilated space. Avoid storing in places that are high in humidity or in close proximity to something damp as leather is prone to getting molds and mildew. Always store your leather jackets hanging instead of folding them as they can develop creases and sometimes even cracks. Folding your leather jacket will also increase the chances of the jacket getting stained by its own metal elements and proper airflow will also be restricted
5.| Exposing leather goods to elements too much
I know some leather items are nearly impossible to keep away from elements such as sunlight, rain, cold, heat, and more. These leather items include leather wallets, phone cases, belts, suspenders (if you love that classic look like me), glasses cases, and more. However, we should avoid storing them where they are directly in contact with the elements or any artificial source of heat, as this can adversely affect them by making them dry and brittle, leading to premature cracking and tearing.
6.| Too much moisture
Well, you must know that too much moisture and water is bad for leather, and if you don’t then congratulations! Now you do. We often make this mistake when cleaning the leather or storing it as we tend to make it come in contact with excessive moisture. For instance, when cleaning the leather we should always use a mildly damp cloth but some people do is they would do it with a soaked cloth that will make the leather extremely wet. The second mistake they make is storing the leather in a humid and moisture-rich space or not making it completely dry before storing it if it somehow gets wet. All these mistakes will add too much moisture in leather which will result in mold formation and foul smell. You should always try to keep your leather goods dry and if they get wet for any reason then immediately make them dry with proper air-drying methods
7.| Cleaning with soaps and detergents
Some people often read articles on the internet or watch videos that state you should clean your leather garments and accessories with mild soap and water or mild shampoo and water. However, most of them (including ours) refer to soaps that are suitable for leather, not just any random soap. You should always choose cleaning supplies that are not harsh on leather and ensure the right pH suitable for the leather before using them. If you are not able to find the right soap, you can also go with a leather cleaner specifically designed for leather. You should never use any strong chemical-based product on leather, as it will do more harm than good to your beloved leather.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I would like to advise you that whatever leather care products you use, there are some very important things to keep in mind before using them on your priced possession:
1.| Refer to manufacturer label- Always refer to the manufacturer label for care-related instructions, you will get a clear idea of what to do and what not
2.| Test any cleaning product- Before applying any leather care product on leather, check it on an inconspicuous area and see if the product causes any discoloration or damage
I hope our article is helpful in avoiding leather care mistakes. If you have any doubts, feel free to ask in the comment section, and 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.
Related articles: Types of leather damage, their repair and prevention.
Different types of leather and its classification