PH of leather and why is it important?
In this article we will discuss about the PH of leather and how it can affect the life of natural leather but before getting into it, we have to understand what is PH value and what it does.
pH stands for “potential of hydrogen” and it is the scale used to determine whether a substance is acidic or basic (alkaline). The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral; pure water falls under the neutral category. Anything less than 7 is considered acidic, and anything above 7 is considered basic. The scale is logarithmic, which means with each number change, the acidity or basicity changes by a factor of 10. For instance, a pH of 6 is 10 times more acidic than a pH of 7, and a pH of 5 is 100 times more acidic than a pH of 7. This holds true when we go up the scale as well; a pH of 8 is 10 times more basic than a pH of 7, and so on.
When substances with different PH values comes in contact with each other, chemical reactions happens in order to balance the PH and severity of this chemical reaction depends on the difference of PH value, higher the difference more ferocious is the reaction. For instance, some strong acids and strong bases can react explosively when mixed.
Well, we are done with the chemistry part, now lets get back to our good old leather world…
Table of Contents
Types of leather and their PH level
Leather has a PH value of 3.5 to 5.5 which makes it acidic in nature and it can vary depending on the type of leather and the tanning process involved in the manufacturing. Here’s the overview of the two most commonly used tanning process used to create leather and their PH values
Veg tanned leather
Vegetable tanned leather is a type of leather that is tanned by using natural tanning agents from plants and PH of veg tanned leather lies between 3.5 to 4.5
Chrome tanned leather
When chromium salts are used as tanning agents, chrome tanned leather is produced and its PH value lies between 4 to 5.5 which makes it slightly less acidic than vegetable tanned leather
Other factors affecting PH of leather
Other than tanning process there are some more factors which plays a huge role affecting the PH value of leather. Two main factors are environmental conditions the leather is exposed to and types of leather care products such as conditioners and cleaners used on leather. Understanding these factors is very important to ensure quality and durability of leather
Environmental factors
Environmental factors like pollution, humidity, high temperature can affect the PH of leather for instance humidity can lead to mold growth in leather and high temperature can ruin the leather fiber structure making it weak. In addition, pollution can also adversly affect leather leading to formation of acidic compounds on surface
Leather care products
Various leather care products like leather conditioners and cleaning agents can also damage leather if they don’t have suitable PH value. Using harsh chemicals that are highly acidic or basic can disrupt the PH of leather and guess what? As we have discussed above a chemical reaction will take place resulting in ruining the leather. That’s the reason why leather manufacturers often add buffering agents to stabilize the PH of leather
How improper PH affects the leather
When a pH-imbalanced substance comes into contact with leather, a chemical reaction can occur. For instance, if leather has a pH of 4.5 and you use a leather cleaner with a pH value of 12, the actual imbalance will be more than 10,000,000, which is significant. This combination can produce a salt as a result of the neutralization reaction. Salt can displace moisture, leading to the drying out of the leather. This drying effect can cause the leather to become brittle and lose its flexibility, ultimately damaging the leather.
Long term durability
Using pH-imbalanced products on leather will cause it to dry out or break. Either way, this will ruin the natural leather and cause it to lose its durability.
Acidic leather deterioration
If it comes in contact with highly acidic substances (with a pH lower than 3 or 2), acidic compounds will form on the leather’s surface, leading to its deterioration.
How to maintain right PH of leather?
By following these cautions you can easily prevent your leather goods from damaging by PH imbalance
1.| Regular care and maintenance
Regular care and maintenance of leather products is the first and foremost step to ensure the longevity and quality of leather. Regularly clean the leather surface with a damp cloth to remove dirt and grime that can alter pH levels. Moreover, conditioning the leather with the right leather care products is highly recommended.
2.| Avoid harsh supplies
You should never use any harsh leather care products such as certain leather cleaners and conditioners. Always make sure the supplies you are using on the leather are pH-balanced. You can ensure this by referring to the label on the product or by testing it on an inconspicuous area first. The pH value should be close to that of the leather.
3.| Proper storing
Ensuring proper storage of leather is equally important as regular care. Always make sure to store your leather goods in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place. Never put leather items in plastic bags; instead, use breathable fabric bags to avoid mold growth due to trapped moisture.
4.| Environmental exposure
Avoid exposure to elements such as direct sunlight or rain. The high heat from sunlight can ruin the natural structure of leather. You can also consider applying a leather protector spray for rain protection. Take immediate action if a spill happens by accident.
Conclusion
Though it is a less discussed topic and nobody seems to bother when it comes to the pH of leather and its balance, believe me, it is really important, especially when your leather item holds high value. Ensuring pH balance can enhance the quality and durability of leather, and you can do so by following the simple steps discussed in this article. If you have any queries or doubts, you can leave your comment, and I will be more than happy to help you with that.
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