Why does leather need care?
Leather goods are always a statement piece. Whether you are carrying a handmade Mad Dog Leather purse, wearing a custom made leather belt, or competing in livestock and equine competitions in chinks, it is important to keep your leather looking brand new.
Leather care is extremely important to keep up with the wear of your leather goods to extend the life and improve the item's overall look. For instance, leather is made up of fibers and naturally has moisture. Leather will begin to show wear, especially when exposed to outdoor elements like the sun, rain, and dirt. As the leather items are used, the moisture within the fibers is drawn out. In order to revitalize the leather, moisture must be replaced. If the moisture is not replaced, a poor cared for piece of leather will begin to go dry, which could eventually lead to cracking, or in extreme cases breaking apart.
Leather cleaning and conditioning
To begin, you will need to clean your leather. First off, take a dry clothe and gently wipe off any dirt or debris. Then, follow up with a leather cleaner. One of my favorite leather cleaners, is Fiebing's Saddle Soap because this product cleans leather well and provides some lubrication for the leather's fibers prior to conditioning. With the leather cleaner, one should apply the soap to a clean clothe or sponge and rub the leather in circular motions. Then, you will need to allow the leather item to soak in and dry completely before applying conditioner. Now that your leather is perfectly clean, it is time to apply conditioner to replace the moisture lost from use. First, you will want to apply the conditioner to a small spot. This will allow you to be sure the conditioner will react well with the leather and make sure the leather is
not darkened to an unsatisfactory point. After you have applied your test spot and it has dried, it is now time to condition the leather. My favorite leather conditioner is Leather CPR (cleaner and conditioner). Since this product is a two-in-one, you can skip using a saddle soap or other leather cleaner prior, but if the leather is in need of some extra-love, feel free to use both! Again, apply the conditioner to a clean clothe and rub the leather in circular motions to avoid streaking. After the conditioner is applied, allow to dry and then you can see if the leather will need an additional coat of conditioner. However, be cautious because leather can be over-conditioned and the leather will no longer absorb the moisture. In extreme cases, the residue of the unabsorbed leather conditioner can make the leather tacky on the surface which is generally unwelcomed for leather good owners.
Overall, keeping your leather clean and conditioned is not a difficult task, but it certainly should not be overlooked. Generally, individuals should clean and condition leather goods about every 6 months. Although, this timeframe can differ for each item depending on the type of use, amount of use, and environmental conditions. Keeping you leather goods lookin' like new is easy and will keep your items usable, clean and beautiful.
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