6 Leather Care Tips

When I first began shopping for myself in my teens, I bought the inexpensive items my babysitting or fast food salaries could afford, but they didn’t last long. As I got older (that’s older, not old, people!) I learned it’s probably better on my budget to buy higher priced quality items than cheaper items needing constant replacement. I also learned that for quality goods to retain their usefulness, they’ll need to be cared for properly. It’s amazing how a few simple steps can encourage years of service from a bag or pair of shoes.

Before I get into my leather care tips, I want to say I love leather. I love the smell, I love the sturdiness and I love how it looks. Now…here are a few tips for caring for leather.

1. During the sunny months, or if you live in a warm, dry climate, condition your leather products at least once a season for hardly used items and once a week to once a month for products used all the time. This will keep them from drying out or cracking.
2. When storing leather, don’t put them in a plastic bag or they won’t be able to breathe. Place them on a closet shelf or floor. If you want to wrap them for storage, try a pillow case or other breathable sack.
3. If your leather gets an oily stain, sprinkle with a little baking soda or baby powder and leave over night until all grease is absorbed.
4. Use a damp cloth to deal with stains. Unless a cleaning product is specifically formulated to clean leather, never use a chemical or household cleaner as it will only make the stain worse.
5. Avoid wearing leather in wet or inclement weather. If your leather does get wet, let it dry naturally.
6. If you have a stain not removable with a damp cloth, contact a dry cleaner or shoe maker who is experienced in removing such stains.

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