The leather jacket.
It was made for a badass attitude.
Guys like the Fonz, military pilots, and bikers embody the leather jacket
The leather armchair is dad’s throne.
Don’t sit in it and don’t touch it.
If you mess it up, trouble would be an understatement.
Things of importance must be preserved
Leather is no different.
But how do you take care of leather adequately?
This article will discuss 7 tips to make your leather last longer.
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There are only 20 in stock so make sure to get one!
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Full Grain Vs Top Grain Vs Synthetic Leather
It’s important to note that every technique listed is not for every leather article. These tips are guidelines and I’ve taken care to let you know which leather items work with each tips
Before we dig into the tips, let’s make sure that you are aware of the types of leather.
Full Grain Leather – Highest grade and comes from the top layer of the hide which has all the grain. Over time the natural surface will beautify over time
Top Grain Leather – Second highest grain of leather that is split from the top layer of a hide that is blemished. It’s then sanded and refinished to get rid of scars.
Genuine Leather – Third grade that is produced from the layers of hide that are left after the top layer is split. It’s often spray painted to resemble a higher grade. Suede is an example of genuine leather.
Bonded Leather – The lowest quality leather. It’s the scraps that are left over from the other processes and glued (bonded) together in a process that is similar to vinyl. It’s weak and degrades quickly.
1. Avoid Stains Setting In
Leather Items: All leather goods
Leather is a skin and is porous. This means that it will absorb liquids and overtime will discolor and stain. Spills and scuffs should be dealt with as soon as possible. The longer stains are on the leather, the more difficult it will be to remove them. It’s important to always be prepared. You can do this by:
- Steer clear of obvious areas where stains can happen
- Keeping a cloth with you to wipe stains during inclement weather
2. Use Stain Protector
Leather Items: All leather goods
It’s Important that you spray your leather goods with a leather protector that says water resistant. When leather gets wet, oil in the leather that keeps the protein bonds between the leather fibers from getting brittle bind with the water. Water releases the oils near the surface of the leather, making the leather fibers less supple.
Leather protector will bond with the leather and add a barrier that keeps moisture and stains off of it. There are dozens of products available. Conduct some research, talk to shoe shiners and leather shops, and connect with cobblers and shoe hospitals for recommendations on the best products.
3. Reshape Your Leather
Leather Items: Shoes and Bags/Briefcases
Over time, your leather products will lose shape and form. This is an inescapable fact. This happens for a number of reasons. Most commonly it’s from heat. Heat from our bodies and the sun will cause the leather to loosen and warp due to the moisture. The leather will then dry in the shape that you leave them in. As such, it is imperative that you reshape and/or maintain the shape of your leather by
- Using a shoe tree – Cedar shoe trees are best because they help absorb odor that may have seeped into the insole of the shoe
- Stuffing your leather bags with plastic or paper once you’ve taken them off and/put them up.
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4. Clean and Condition Your Leather
Leather Items: All leather goods
Cleaning
This seems like a given but it’s a step that many just do not do on a consistent basis. Cleaning your leather can be as simple as taking a boar’s hair brush and brushing away dirt and grime. Boar’s hair brushes are most notably used for shoe cleaning and polishing, but it can be used for leather bags, wallets, and jackets. The hair is gentle enough that it won’t scratch the leather while still being strong enough to clean it.
Another option is to use a mild solution of soap and water if your leather needs more than a simple brushing. For those who polish their shoes consistently, a nail polish remover is a great way to clean off old polish. Do this step only after you have used a boar’s hair brush to clean your shoes.
Conditioning
Use a leather conditioner to help soften and replenish moisture in the leather. Leather needs some moisture to remain supple and soft. Leather conditioner also helps prepare the leather for polishing.
It would be ideal to let your leather products air dry over night after you’ve cleaned and conditioned them.
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5. Polish Your Leather
Leather Items: Shoes
There are three general approaches to shoe shining. They are the Marine Shine, the Classic Shine, and the Quick Shine. The methods are similar but have distinct differences that will give different levels of shine. Polishing your leather shoes does more than gives them a shine. There are additional steps such as
- Cleaning – ridding the leather of dirt and grime
- Conditioning – applying a cream that will prepare the leather for the polish
- Rejuvenation – keeps the leather soft and supple
- Polishing – adding a wax that will protect the leather and give it a brilliant shine
These steps are integral in achieving a good polish that will last. Each of the steps will help to maintain the leather and are executed in varying degrees depending on the type of shine that is trying to be achieved. As listed above, polishing your leather is a great maintenance and preservation tool for shoes. Polishing the below items are acceptable as well.
- Bags
- Portfolios
- Wallets
Having a great shine on them will really set you apart and take your style to the next level. It’s not practical to polish leather jackets and furniture. It is, however, necessary to maintain them via cleaning and conditioning.
6. Develop a Schedule
Cleaning your leather can take some time when it’s done right. Create a maintenance schedule for your leather goods that you use often. The schedule that you create is dependent on a few things:
- Wear and tear from frequency of use – some guys are harder on shoes than others
- Climate – Boots and bags may last longer in moderate climate with milder winters
- Body chemistry – Everyone’s fee sweat at different rates
The schedule will not only save time, but it will allow you to have a designated time to hone your skill of leather care and rejuvenation. Being organized with your time will allow optimum care for your leather goods as the care will be consistent.
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7. Ensure Proper Storage
Leather Items: All leather goods
As discussed previously, the elements can really harm your leather pieces and shorten their life span. Too much direct sunlight, exposure to extreme temperatures, and contact with water are not good. Be sure to
- Take your bags and shoes out of the hot car or trunk in the summer
- Store your attaché cases and leather bags on shelves when possible and never hanging by the handles
- Place shoes in shoe bags before you put them in the box. This will help prevent scuffing.
- Hang your leather jackets up using a wide padded clothes hanger to avoid wrinkling and stretching
These steps may seem tedious but as a man of style it’s critical to take the necessary steps to safeguard your pieces so that the quality is maintained and the hide is protected.
When it comes to maintaining leather, the piece that the leather is made of is irrelevant. What’s important is that it remains in great condition. Leather, genuine high quality leather – does not come cheap. It’s essential that it is maintained to protect your investment. When maintained properly, your leather goods would make an amazing gift that could be passed down a piece of your history to a loved one. Apply the above steps and you will definitely lengthen the life of your leather goods.