IF you’ve pulled out your leather bag and let out a little scream of horror, I have one word for you — mould! Whatever you do, do not chuck it in the bin. From storing, cleaning and even caring for your leather, website yellowpages.com has clever tips for taking care of leather.
“Real leather requires some special care, but it is a sturdy material that can provide years of wear,” reports yellowpages.com.
“Here are four simple things you can do to keep your leather goods looking clean and feeling supple without frequent professional care.”
1.How to store leather
nLeather is a natural material that needs to “breathe” to stay supple.
nStore your leather garments in a cool, well-ventilated closet. (Heat can make leather brittle and excessive humidity will lead to mildew and fungus growth.)
nNever wrap leather garments in plastic; it can discolour the leather.
nBecause leather is prone to stretching, place garments on padded hangers to help retain their shape.
2.Cleaning leather garments
nProper brushing and wiping help keep leather and suede from deteriorating.
nIf grease is spilled directly onto a leather garment, a quick fix may be to sprinkle an absorbent material (such as flour or cornstarch) on the stain, then immediately brush it off.
nSmooth leather can take wiping with a dry or slightly damp cloth, and both smooth leather and suede benefit from the protection against water and stains using silicone spray coatings that you can apply yourself.
nWear a scarf with a leather jacket to keep the collar area from soaking up body oils.
nFaded leather can be touched up with a commercial leather stain; soften the leather with saddle soap, then apply the stain.
3.Caring for leather shoes
nOne of the simplest ways to keep leather shoes looking good is to buy the right size in the first place, which keeps the shoes from stretching.
nAnother way to ensure long life for leather shoes is to have more than one pair and to change them regularly, giving them time to air out and regain their natural shape between wearings.
nIf heels or soles wear down but the tops are still good, have the shoes resoled or reheeled. A good shoe repair shop can significantly extend the life of a pair of shoes.
4.Keep leather bags looking good
nA good leather bag can last for years. In fact, a well-cared-for leather bag will take on its own special look and feel as it wears.
nTo avoid stains and scratches, be careful where you set it down.
nKeep scratches touched up with polish or leather conditioner.
nUse a chamois or other soft cloth to shine the bag.
nIf clasps or straps on the bag need repair, fix them promptly to avoid unnecessary ripping or fraying.
nKeep bags from touching each other on the closet shelf when in storage. Wrapping the bags in tissue paper can accomplish this, as can simply allowing plenty of space between bags and other items being stored.
nAs with other leather pieces in your wardrobe, be sure the storage area is cool and well-ventilated.
