How to Care for this Year’s Leather Trend

Leather can be a seriously long-lasting fabric if treated properly. With correct care and attention, new leather can last to a ripe old age and any vintage leather you own can continue to have a long, happy life. Proper storage, cleaning, and conditioning will keep leather looking as good as new no matter how old it is.

Storing Leather

• How leather is stored when it is not being used is very important. To keep it in its best condition, leather should not be stored in extreme hot or cold temperatures, or in excessive dryness or humidity. It also needs to be kept away from chemicals – whether in storage or when wearing.
• Store leather clothes on a wide wooden or padded hanger to help maintain their shape.
• If it is necessary to cover the leather whilst storing it, ensure that a breathable fabric, such as cotton is used. Do not cover leather clothing with plastic as it will cause the leather to dry out.
• Avoid exposing leather garments to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.
• It is important that leather does not become soiled, soaked or dried out, because whilst these can be rectified, it requires much more effort to do so.
• Always stuff empty leather handbags with newspaper and use shoetrees when storing leather shoes and boots.

Cleaning leather

• Keeping leather clean and conditioned only takes a few minutes, but it will make a big difference in how good it looks.
• Dry cleaning is an effective and efficient way of cleaning leather.
• Don’t let an item become too dirty before having it cleaned and point out any stains or ingrained soiling to the dry cleaner.
• Dry cleaning can sometimes cause a change in the depth of colour of a garment as some dyes are soluble in dry-cleaning fluids. Deluxe cleaning by LEVINGERS DRY CLEANERS provides a much kinder way of cleaning leather than traditional dry cleaning processes using PERC.
• Incorrect care or cleaning of leather can cause it to crack and dry out, as well as remove finishes or colours, or worse still, make it too stiff to wear.
• Continual contact with moisture (sweat, rain, alcohol, etc.,) can cause the leather to stiffen, so ensure that these are cleaned off the leather regularly.

Stains and smells on leather

• It is possible to remove most stains from leather even blood, oil and wax – speak to the professionals!
• Leather likes to hold on to odours, however a leather specialist or dry cleaner should be able to remove the smell.

Repairing damage to your leather

• If leather becomes scuffed the marks can often be disguised by applying a shoe polish/leather dye or marker pen.
• Any broken stitching is best repaired with a heavy-duty sewing machine. LEVINGERS DRY CLEANERS provides professional leather cleaning and repair services.
• Several types of leather require more specialised maintenance. If in doubt, have leather cleaned and maintained professionally.