How To Clean Leather: 7 Tips for Effective Leather Cleaning
It is said that birds of a leather jacket flock together and any hide-loving person or girl knows that fine wine and vintage moto jackets are two things that get better with age. It may not be fatal, but it can cause panic in your suede outfit.
Before you start getting your trusted bicarb-soda-and-vinegar combo from the cupboard, hold up. Your leather furniture and accessories may be suffering more damage than good. Here’s how to safely clean leather accessories and furniture:
What type of leather is used?
There are many ways to clean leather materials. Not all leather is created equal. The ultra-soft lambskin jacket you wear in winter is much more delicate than the tan cowhide cover you wear when you dress up as Han Solo and Carol Danvers. Shell cordovan leather is great for luxury loafers but you should opt for genuine cowhide furniture.
Is all this confusing? Let’s backtrack.
What’s finished leather?
The majority of leather products you will find in stores are made with finished leather. A finished leather product is made from animal skin treated with chemicals to give it a particular look and texture. Your leather goods will also get a protective layer against moisture from the chemical treatment.
This is how you can tell if your leather is genuine cowhide or sheepskin or goatskin.
Genuine cowhide Leather
“Genuine cowhide” might sound fancy but it is actually the lowest quality leather that you will find. It’s heavy, provides excellent insulation when worn, and also scores high for durability and toughness. Genuine cowhide leather’s weathered appearance gives sofas a distinctive look and makes excellent car upholstery.
Sheepskin
Sheepskin will make you realize that it isn’t grungy leather. This leather is great for making coats and clothes because it’s extremely stretchy. It is less rugged and more refined than leather, almost like velvet.
Lambskin has a smoother texture than sheepskin and is even butterier. Here’s an excuse to buy that jacket you have been eyeing: It’s a great investment. Lambskin leather becomes more luxurious over time.
Goatskin Leather
Goatskin Leather is also known as Morocco Leather and is used to make handbags. Goatskin leather is tougher than genuine cowhide leather but is lighter and more flexible than sheepskin. Goatskin leather is a popular choice, despite its reputation for being a poor quality.
Kidskin leather is made from young goats. It is more flexible than goatskin. It’s popular for making gloves because of its flexible nature.
Shell cordovans
Shell cordovans are something you may have heard about. This leather is known as the king of leather. This leather comes from horses and can be used to make shoes and wallets as well as furniture. This is if you have the means to afford it and are not strained by your mortgage.
Is it worth the effort? Without blinking an eye, shoe-loving crusaders affirm their worthiness. Shell cordovans, just like a precious Rolex, can make you squirm a bit when you purchase them. But the invisible card to “I made it!” club will make you forget all about the pain.
What’s unfinished leather?
Unfinished leather is an entirely different animal. Unfinished leather does not have an additional protective layer, so it has a more coarse texture. Consider plush fabric as the colour of tanned leather.
When you begin to notice patina on your leather furniture, don’t be afraid to take it apart. It is a good thing. The leather’s contact with oils and skin is what gives the leather its rich honey-colored color.
What other types of leather are there?
Vegan and patent leather
Not a carnivore? It’s possible to look cool while still being compassionate for animals. Vegan Leather is synthetic leather or faux leather. It doesn’t contain animal skin. There is a caveat. This leather is made from plastic. This product was made from plastic, so no animals were hurt in its creation. However, Mother Nature may not approve it 100%.
Another type of leather you might have seen is patent Leather. A pair of shiny patent leather shoes is a must-have in any capsule wardrobe, as fashion experts know. Even though they are low-quality synthetic leather, patent leather products have their benefits. The glossy, waterproof coating is made possible by the plastic coating. This is an easy-to-clean option that will make you look polished and professional on the go.
Bonded Leather
Bonded Leather is a cheap option that bookworms and swivel chair smugglers love. Bonded leather is a mixture of synthetic and genuine leather. It’s therefore less durable and more expensive than the real thing.
The fingernail test
Leather restoration specialists swear by this trick: lightly scratch a small portion of the surface. It’s best to leave the professional cleaning the area where the scratch has left a mark. If the leather is free from any marks or scratches, you can clean it yourself.
First, make sure you have read the instructions and then test it on a small area. You should never apply a cleaner or balm to leather upholstery.
Get rid of the stain as soon as possible
Leather-loving procrastinators, beware. It is best to clean a leather stain immediately after it occurs. Don’t wait until tomorrow; clean today! There is no such thing as too late, just like when you chase your dreams. Some leathers have a certain amount of porosity which can cause permanent stains if not checked.
How do you clean leather products
Many of the leathers listed above are finished or treated leathers. The extra layer of protection that is added to finished leather gives leather goods a water-resistant look. The final product’s colour is determined by the treatment (blue animal skin is not possible).
Dust your leather upholstery once a week by lightly dusting it. Use a microfibre cloth dampened with water to clean the leather upholstery. Then, use a soft-bristle upholstery toothbrush to tidy up any crevices. Nothing is more frustrating than finding cookie crumbs in the corners of a luxurious leather sofa.
Apply a leather conditioner, such as saddle soap, every six months to maintain leather. This will protect your upholstery from cracking due to changes in temperature or humidity.
How do you clean unfinished leather products
Unfinished leather has different care instructions than finished leather. It is best to rub the stain with a soft cloth. A soft-bristled toothbrush can also be used for this purpose.
If you have stubborn stains or if you are extra careful, polishing your leather goods with a little bit of leather cleaner seam to seam will be fine. However, it is possible for them to turn a darker shade.
How to clean vegan and patent leather products
These types of leather require a different cleaning method than finished or unfinished leather. Use a soft cloth that has been soaked in mild soap and water to rub the leather until it is clean. After you are done, dry the surface with a clean cloth and let it air dry for 24 hour.
Spot-treat any stain
Spot treatment is possible for some stains. Use a damp cloth and warm water to remove the stain. You can remove stubborn stains such as ink using a stronger cleaner like nail polish remover and rubbing alcohol. Apply leather conditioner to the affected area to moisturize it and prevent cracking.
Use a little baking soda to remove grease stains and potato chip fingerprints from leather couches. Let the baking soda sit for at most 8 hours to absorb the oil. After 8 hours, vacuum the baking soda. Use rubbing alcohol to clean any residue and then moisturize with a leather conditioner.
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
Leather is actually just animal skin treated with chemicals. It is susceptible to cracking and flaking. Regular conditioning is essential to prevent this.
You may love to apply moisturiser to your skin or use chapstick on your lips. But, you should also be diligent about conditioning your leather shoes, bags and furniture. Make sure to check with the manufacturer of your leather products to ensure that the conditioner you use is suitable for the leather you are using.
Natural cleaning agents are a favorite of many. Here’s a recipe: Combine half a cup olive oil with a quarter cup each white vinegar and brewed green tea in a spray bottle to make leather conditioner. Use a little bit to coat your leather furniture and then wipe it off.
Another quick DIY polish that you can make is to add a few drops of olive oil to a microfibre cloth and then rub your upholstery with a circular motion. This is the perfect way to make your upholstery look even more vibrant.
If in doubt, trust the experts
Although you may be the DIY king or queen, it’s not the right time to try new things. Unfinished leather may require you to use a combination of baking soda, lemon juice and white vinegar. Your leather product can be damaged if the cleaner or conditioner you use isn’t suitable.
If you are unsure, don’t take chances. If the stain is not manageable at home, you should leave the homemade cleaner behind and go straight to the leather doctor.
Let it be!
Are you looking for a great story to tell? Your leather sofa or leather handbag can tell the story. Leather products that are well-crafted age beautifully and develop a unique texture and character over time.
The stain is not a concern if it’s not a crayon streak or makeup smudge. You can do nothing about it and allow the leather to take its natural course. As the leather ages, the stain will become part of the fabric. This will add to its unique character.
Leather maintenance and care
Leather, in any form, is meant to be used. You can still wear your leather jacket, or lounge on your leather sofa while cleaning it.
To extend the life of your furniture and accessories, simply follow these tips. If all else fails you can have your upholstery professionally cleaned.
Apart from the obvious benefits of being able to save time and be able to watch Netflix while you relax, hiring upholstery leather cleaners in Sydney will ensure that your leather pieces are properly maintained. Professional furniture cleaners use industry-approved cleaning methods and products so you don’t need to worry about what wax or conditioner goes on which surface.