Category : Leather Care

  • Posted :   Mar 1st, 2012

    leather jacket cleanerLeather products are style statement of fashion, elegance and royalty. But it loses its beauty when it’s immaturely taken care. Though it is a rough n tough product, it has to be maintained very gently for longtime usage. There are different types of leather in market in terms of quality, grades etc. Cares for leather differentiate from its quality to kind of product. Different leather requires different treatment of care.

    Leather products come in various forms, for instance furniture, bags, cloths, belts, shoes etc. The major problem likely to occur with leather items is that they crack when they go unnoticed, in terms of caring or maintenance.

    Let’s see which problem occurs in which product

    Leather Jackets :

    Leather jackets are most probably used while riding a bike. So it is obvious to get sun rays on it. To avoid cracking due to harsh sun rays try to use leather conditioner. Try to keep leather jackets as much away from water contact as it may lose its quality. If it does so happen don’t worry, dry it with towel but gently, instead of hair drier, fans or directly under sun as it will lead to cracks. Instead of curing afterwards take precaution befor

    Leather Foot Wear:

    Clean your leather footwear once in a week as it really leaves a bad odor because feet gets sweaty at time of wearing and even get itchy due unhygienic. So it’s better to keep it clean and fresh as it was at the time of buying. Maintain your leather shoe footwear with help of shoe brush, leather shoe cleaner, shoe polish and even shoe protectant. If cracks occur before removing dirt, use a soft brush as it won’t enlarge the cracks.

    Leather Furniture :

    Leather is a sensitive material more than normal fabric. Wipe it always. Don’t harshly remove the stains over it. Always use leather cleaning products especially made in favor of leather products. Always use soft cloth to remove stains.

    Key Points to be Remembered:

    1.    Use good quality cleansing product for cleaning products.

    2.    Keep an eye that leather products don’t catch moisture, especially during humid or rainy weather. Moisture creates pores in leather products and tends to create even cracks to it.

    3.   To keep leather furniture brand new and shiny try to do it’s polishing with a polish containing color agent.

    4.   Avoid packaging of leather items like shoe, belt or even jackets in plastic bag. Packing in plastic bag leads leather products to rise fungal and bacteria which even cause your skin to be infected.

    5.   Instead of buying and spending money on new leather products try to maintain old ones.

     

  • Posted :   Feb 18th, 2012

    Suede leather jackets are worn by both men and women. They have their reach in casual as well as formal wear. But as time goes, you may tend to see some stains and marks on them if you don’t care for them properly. The listed below pointers will help you to understand how to get rid of the principal contentions and keep your suede jacket brand new.
    suede leather jacket care tips
    •    Always keep your suede leather jacket clean by constantly brushing them with a gentle brush to take off the dust and dirt. This ensures that you don’t have to deal with smudges and paleness of the jacket in future.
    •    If you find some faint stain on your suede jacket then just rub it off carefully with the help of a clean cloth. You may dip the cloth in warm water to make it wet just a bit and wipe the stain off and dry the spot with hair dryer set on a very low heat.
    •    Sometimes you may find pen or pencil marks on your suede leather. Don’t panic and put your jacket in for a wash immediately. Try rubbing off the mark with simple eraser and you will be surprised how effective this method is actually.
    •    If your suede leather has caught some small granules stuck in the hair surface then work on the area with the help of a nail file to carefully take out the grime. With the help of a suede brush, brush the ruffled area to get the smooth texture back.
    •    If the suede jacket has a wet stain then dry it off immediately by placing a cotton cloth on the wet area which will absorb the wetness. Repeat this procedure till you feel the stain has completely soaked off. If the mark still exists then follow the above methods to get a spot free area.
    •    There are some special lubricant sprays which are recommended by the manufacturers that make your suede leather waterproof and keep dust and dirt away from collecting. You can use them as a respite.
    •    Never fold your suede leather jacket as this will lead into creasing. Hang the jacket on coat hangers and place them in a dry and moisture free space otherwise your jacket will have the chance to succumb to mildews.
    •    If your suede leather jacket still gets some creases then iron it by steam method wherein you hang the jacket in the bathroom and run the warm steam over it. The other method is the manual ironing but always use a press cloth or a brown paper so that the heat of the iron does not come in direct contact with the garment.
    •    The washable suede leather should be conditioned properly to keep them supple and maintain tenderness of the jacket.
    •    Get your suede jacket washed and dry cleaned professionally if you don’t have the right equipments and unsure about home grown methods.

  • Posted :   Jan 9th, 2012

    Quality and genuine leather jackets are expensive and with a little care this beautiful piece of fashion can last for a lifetime. Leather jackets a just like a chunk of change in your wardrobe which do not keep you warm but also get you loads of attention.

    It is important that you understand how to take care of your leather jacket, it does not matter that if you planning to take care of your new leather jacket your old leather coat, with proper care these fashionable items can last a lifetime. Many know that leather should be away from moisture or it will lead to formation of mildew, but if it is kept too dry then it can lead to cracking. Leather breathes and should be kept in a place that is free of moisture; it should be well hidden from direct sunlight and must be away from a heat source. Do not store leather in plastic bags or other non porous packaging material. Select a hangar that is sturdy and does not allow the jacket to bend as it will prevent the jacket from sagging and stretching.

    Dirt: Leather soap should be used to get rid of dirt from your leather jacket, add a bolt of cold water to remove the soap with the help of a clean cloth.

    Grease: Use talcum powder or sprinkle some corn starch with little water and wait for few hours, after four hours wipe it with a clean cloth and the grease will be gone.

    Mildew: Use rubbing alcohol 1 cup with 1 cup water, your anti mildew solution is prepared now just rub it with a clean cloth and dry.

    Gum: Apply ice pack, as it will harden the gum, once hard enough remove the gum by chipping it off, add a little heat for residue with the help of a hair dryer and wipe it with a clean cloth.

    Salt: Salt can be removed by adding 3 parts of vinegar to 1 part water, dip a cloth in it and wipe the salt off your jacket.

    Discolorayion: Purchase a spray designed for leather color restoration and follow the directions.

  • Posted :   Jul 6th, 2011

    sew leather jacketAre you shocked? But this achievable and actually very simple…All you need is leather sewing machines and fine leather that will fit into the sewing compartment of your machine.

    Correct needles and a leather which is 1/8th inch thick. As thin leather is much easy to glide through and it will also not break the sewing needles. Well! You can call this article as a crash course on being a leather jacket designer.

    Just keep reading for more tips as you will lean slowly and gradually. Remember leather is a fabric which is very fashionable and it is absolutely fine if your first jacket is not very flashy. Design a simple jacket and later when you learn the art you can opt for the complicated one.

    Here are a few tips for designing leather jackets: –

    •    Leather is a fabric which will not stretch. Opt for a simple to design pattern as this is you first project do not try to design anything complicated as this will only ruin your confidence. Remember this whenever you are stitching leather even the smallest mistake can make the jacket unbearable.

    •    First cut the pieces of leather and start storing the leather pieces together at a place where you will not be confused. Get all these pieces together and start matching them up with a masking tape. It is always advisable to use a masking tape a d pinning the leather pieces will only cause holes in leather.

    •    Once you have finished designing the paper patterns put leather pieces on the paper pattern and start to cut your leather with scissors. Use sharp scissors for the task.
    •    For sewing leather on sewing machine it is always better to use a size 11 needle. These size 11 needles are much stronger than the regular size small needles. These needles are designed to sew leather and hard materials like leather and they will not break.

    •    Now add the same color matching thread to your sewing machine as the color of leather. It is always better to purchase leather sewing threads for sewing leather as these threads are much stronger and capable of keeping the pieces intact.

    •    Never force the leather to stretch and start sewing the pieces that you had cut out from the paper patterns.

    •    Add leather glue to the task before you start sewing a particular leather part. It is important that you keep your head together and be patient. Slowly and steadily you will end up designing a beautiful leather jacket.

    Designing is a leather is a very simple task provided you remain calm and patient and you will end up designing the most amazing pattern one day.

  • Posted :   Jun 21st, 2011

    Leather clothing like leather jackets, leather shorts, leather skirts are undoubtedly stylish but they are also quite expensive. Do you know that good quality leather clothes can last for over 40 years? All they need is the right care. Make your favorite leather clothes look fresh and exquisite for years to come with just a few simple care tips:

    •    Follow the basics. Read the manufacturer’s instructions about how to care for your leather apparel. Most manufacturers attach care labels inside the leather dress itself. Read them and follow them.
    •    Make your leather apparel waterproof. Unless you are planning to wear your leather jacket only in the summers and winters, it is suggested that you waterproof your leather jacket. Leather dresses etc usually come with a waterproof coating but do check.
    •    Always hang your leather clothes on a wide, padded hanger so that it maintains its shape. It also ensures that any creases will drop naturally from the garment. Never ball up your leather clothes and store them. If you are planning to wear your leather garment after a long period, pack it up in a breathable garment bag and avoid allowing it to stay in a plastic dry cleaning or storage bag.
    •    In case your leather garment gets wet, let it dry naturally at room temperature. Don’t go to use any artificial heat sources like blow dryers or heat vents.
    •    Wipe your leather clothes off with a soft cloth from time to time. This removes off any dust and allows you garment to breathe.
    •    In case you leather garment becomes hard or starts cracking, rub some leather moisturizer into it with a soft cloth. Leather moisturizers are easily available in the market and with a thorough rub down, your leather garment should become soft.
    •    It is always advisable to send your expensive leather jacket to professional leather cleaner in case if you do not wish to clean it on your own. Never store the leather jackets in plastic cleaning bags as leather needs ventilation and if stored in plastic it will lead to mildew formation.
    •    Excessive humidity damages leather garments so keep them away from high humidity.

  • Posted :   May 5th, 2011

    A suede jacket is most typical among women and men and it is obtainable in various colors and sizes. These jackets are for climate conditions in which the temperatures are neither freezing nor warm. They provide a far more rugged search for men along with a softer appeal for ladies which will make them look more elegant.

    Leather jackets take time and effort to deal with so when you are looking at suede leather it’s the softest leather made from lambskin. You need to know how to get proper care of leather products incase if you are considering purchasing one. Leather products demand enough care. Suede leather jackets otherwise stored in a proper ventilated place can result in a formation of mildew.

    Here are some tips that may help you keep suede leather jackets fit:-

    •    Moisture is definitely the biggest enemy of suede leather and it shouldn’t be introduced with water or any other liquid; moisture causes maximum harm to suede leather.
    •    If incase any liquid is spilled on your suede jacket, gently remove the moisture as soon as you are able to or it will ruin the suede leather.
    •    Wooden hangars tend to be more appropriate when compared with every other hanger for suede leather jackets.
    •    Professional caring of suede leather jackets are essential every once in awhile since it won’t increase its life time but will improve its look. It is important to have them cleaned by professionals.
    •    Suede leather is also vulnerable to cracking; hence you should rub it with conditioners utilizing a dry clean cloth.
    •    Since suede jackets tend to be more porous when compared with other leather jackets, they’ll get more dirt and could loose its smoothness and can become rough and brittle.
    •    The easiest method to remove dirt from the sued jacket is to apply a brush; it is best to not use water, simply by brushing the dirt goes off

    Suede is a beautiful fabric which is often used to produce rugged and classy fashion statements. Leather apparels draw a lot of attention and offer protection as well and in return a little care can out to be taken for this beautiful fabric to make it last for a lifetime.

  • Posted :   Apr 20th, 2011

    Leather clothing has a life span of approximately 40 years. The fabric is strong; it’s rugged and happily protects you from dust, wind, rains, stains, gravel etc. Of course, while nothing really affects the tenacity of the material it does tend to look worn out after a while. At the end of the day, leather is animal skin and skin needs to be cleaned regularly. So how do you get a fresh look and keep your leather jacket healthy?

    1.    The most important thing to remember is to check for the manufacturer’s care instructions. Just cleaning your leather jacket once a month, on the basis of those instructions, is bound to keep the jacket healthy and happy.

    2.    The biggest problem faced by leather jackets is that they dry out and begin to crack. They lose their luster over a period of time. A great way to change this is by using leather conditioner. Just take a soft cloth – preferably nubuck – and rub down the leather jacket with plenty of conditioner. Make sure every nook, cranny and crevice of the jacket gets plenty of conditioner. A single rub down is usually not enough. Always massage in the conditioner into your jacket about twice. This helps clear out the dry patches and brings back life into it. The conditioner also adds shine and flexibility to your leather jacket making it soft and lovely to wear. The color of the jacket may turn a bit uneven after rubbing down the jacket. This, of course, will be barely noticeable. The color change does not have much to do with the conditioner as much as the use of the leather jacket.

    3.    Whenever you store a leather jacket, always make sure it is in a cool dry area; do not add naphthalene balls. Always store the jacket on a wide wooden, plastic or padded hanger. This helps to maintain the shape! If you plan to cover that leather jacket while storing it then do so with a cloth like cotton. Avoid plastic. Leather needs to breathe. Materials like plastic do not allow it to do so causing it to dry up.

  • Posted :   Apr 19th, 2011

    Anyone with a modicum of fashion sense desires to have leather apparel in their wardrobe. A lot of people struggle to find that perfect leather jacket or that amazing leather skirt. But do you take the time out to identify the caliber of the leather garment you are purchasing? It is very important to know how to pick out a genuine leather jacket and how to distinguish from the fakes. This is especially important for bikers purchasing leather motorcycle jackets. Buying a fake jacket may lead to fatal results.

    Genuine leather is a fabric made from animal skin through an intricate manufacturing process for it to look attractive and remain sturdy and durable. Lambskin leather is probably the most commonly found leather in shops, boutiques, stores etc. In fact when you order leather online as well, the garments are usually created out of lamb leather. The fabric is soft and flexible and quite reasonable. It makes for excellent pants and skirts – basically the type of clothing that clings to the skin. It leaves enough space for you to breathe and feels soft against the skin.

    Several leather clothing items – especially jackets – come with lining and patch work. You have to be especially careful while buying such items since the leather caliber of these items may be less than ideal.

    There are basically three important grades that leather can be divided by on the basis of quality. The animal whose skin is used to make the leather is irrespective. It could easily range from lamb to alligator:

    Grade 1 Leather:
    This leather is basically ‘fully grained’ and the quality is identifiable by looking at the grained pattern – it should be asymmetric; the material itself should be devoid of any patina, shade discrepancies and be smooth to the touch.

    Grade 2 Leather:
    A grade lower than the best – this leather has just the most basic inconsistency in color and the surface is discolored with light patinas.

    Grade 3 Leather:
    This falls lowest on the scale in terms of quality leather fabric. There are splotches and variations in shade as well as plenty of patinas.

  • Posted :   Apr 4th, 2011

    A simple synonym for leather – fantastic! Leather is durable, its flexible, its practical and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Of course it can cost a pretty penny so it’s very important to know how to care for leather.  It is also very important to know what kind of leather one is purchasing and its benefits.

    Technically leather is made from animal skin – mainly cattle skin. The animal hide then goes through a tanning process which transforms hides and skins into leather. Depending on the ingredients used in the tanning process as well as the subtle variations, we get a variety of leathers.

    Without getting too much into detail about the creation of the leather, below are the most frequent ones used for fashion accessories and apparel:

    Lambskin Leather:
    Lambskin leather is pliable and soft leather commonly used for the creation of pants, jackets and other fashion clothing. Lambskin leather can be found in shearling and smooth and varieties of which the latter is more popular thanks to its soft and supple texture. Easily a popular choice, the challenge lies in the fact that lambskin requires a lot of attention and can easily scuff, tear or scratch.

    Cowhide Leather:
    Cowhide leather is what is used to make almost 99% of all leather goods like bags, watches and leather jackets sold in the States. Cowhide leather, tanned by the natural process, is softer and normally used for handbags and luggage. Cowhide is strong and durable, but on the downside it may be course or grainy.

    Water Buffalo Leather:
    Water buffalo leather is very strong and thick and among other things is used to make motorcycle helmets and shoes. Both cowhide and water buffalo leather have pretty much the same thickness and durability despite years of myths and debates on which is better and stronger!

    Sheepskin Leather:
    Sheepskin leather is basically more mature lambskin; however it is more durable, thicker and often more expensive.

    Suede Leather:
    The cheapest and probably the most stylish type of leather – this one has an almost ‘velvety’ feel to it. It looks great and has a napped or bushed finish. Extremely stylish, it’s not something that would be recommended for strength and protection.

  • Posted :   Mar 22nd, 2011

    leather jackets

    Your leather apparel does not come cheap. I won’t go all the way out and say that it costs an arm and a leg but your pockets would most definitely be just a tiny bit lighter. So it goes without saying that you would like your leather jacket to last a while! Here are some simple pointers to ensure that your jacket has a longer life span:

    • Brush down your jacket with a damp cloth everyday to get rid of all the dust and grime. Dust settling, over a period of time, can make your jacket stiff which will eventually cause it to crack.

    • Store it in a dry place devoid of any moisture. Never keep naphthalene balls next to your leather jacket.
    • Never bundle up your leather jacket while storing it. Make sure you keep it on a wooden hanger.
    • Leather is basically skin and skin needs to breathe. In other words, avoid packing leather up in plastic bags.

    If you do get a stain on your leather jacket just follow the following rules:

    1. My first suggestion to everyone is to take it to the dry cleaners once a month or at least once a fortnight. They are professionals and you can be rest assured that your leather jacket is in safe hands.
    2. If you are confident about yourself, then you can also try out these home remedies:

    • For blood stains, take some mild conditioner in your hand, lather it up with warm water and rub it on the spot. Always ensure that the shampoo or soap you use is mild. Never use shampoo or soap directly on the leather jacket. Once, you are done lathering, just rinse the spot with warm water and leave it to dry. Pick a drop spot, away from direct heat.
    • Please note that if the blood stain has dried or set in, you may not be able to get rid of it so easily.

    • Sweat stains can be taken care of with baby shampoo or fabric softener. Treat it the same way you would blood stains.

    • If wax has seeped into your leather jacket, then you need to place brown paper or blotting paper on the leather; set the iron on cool and gently iron till the wax seeps into the blotting paper.

    • Oil is probably leather’s worst enemy. Leather soaks in oil immediately and getting rid of the stains are almost impossible. At best, you can use some mild conditioner to even out the color of the stain. If the oil stain is fresh, immediately mix soap flakes with a few tablespoons of warm water and rub it onto the spot. Rinse thoroughly.

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