How to Care for Leather Goods
June 9th, 2007 | 1,466 views
Six tips to keep your leather goods in good shape
A quality leather garment is an investment in your wardrobe. With proper care, your designer clothes will age gracefully and can last a lifetime. Vintage jackets have been known to stick around for 50 years!
- Always hang leather garments on wide or padded hangers to maintain shape. Use shoetrees for footwear and stuff empty handbags with tissue to help retain shape.
- Never store leather goods in plastic or other non-breathable covers. This will dry up the leather.
- Avoid very humid and dry environments as well as direct sunlight. This will shorten the life expectancy of your leather.
- Avoid spraying perfumes or hair sprays while wearing your garment and do not apply pins, adhesive badges or tape. Wearing a scarf at the neckline will keep hair and body oil away from the collar.
- Allow wet or damp leather to air-dry naturally away from any heat source that may damage the skin’s natural oils. Excessive dryness can cause cracking; excessive moisture can cause mildew. Leather can be treated with a leather conditioner yearly to restore flexibility and proper moisture levels. Suede and nubuck can be brushed with a terry towel to restore its look.
- Wrinkles hang out while on hanger. If ironing is desired, set iron on lowest setting, use a brown paper bag as a pressing cloth on right side of the garment, and a quick hand to prevent overheating and shine. Do not use steam!