Whether it’s a jacket, pants, shirt, belt, or shoes, all leather items must be given a little TLC to preserve their attractive appearance and physical characteristics. Unfortunately, many people overlook the importance of caring for their leather garments and accessories, resulting in a shorter “lifespan.” With a little bit of work, however, can you prolong the life of leather, allowing you to get several years of use of your favorite leather jacket.
Keep it Dry
The golden rule of caring for leather — any type of leather — is to keep it dry. Leather and moisture do not mix, as it may cause mold or mildew to form. And when this occurs, it’s next-to-impossible to treat. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to leave your leather jacket at home on a rainy day, but rather wipe it dry so it’s completely saturated with moisture.
…But Not Too Dry
It’s important to keep your leather dry, but it shouldn’t be too dry. Although invisible to the naked eye, leather contains thousands of small, microscopic pores on the surface which absorb and release moisture from the surrounding environment. When these pores don’t receive moisture, they will dry up and crack, causing damage to the leather.
Use a Leather Conditioner
So, how are you supposed to keep your leather garments and accessories moist without placing them at risk for water-related damage? The easiest solution is to use a leather conditioning product, such as Saddle Soap. Consisting of mild soap, water, lanolin and beeswax, it will moisturize your leather items while adding a protective coat over the surface in the process.
Try to get into the habit of applying a leather conditioner to your leather garments and accessories at least once every 4-6 months. Doing it more frequently than once every 6 months may saturate your leather with an excess amount of conditioner.
Spot Treat Stains
It’s bound to happen sooner later: you accidentally pour a cup of hot coffee on your new leather jacket. Before you toss it into the washing machine, however, you should attempt to spot treat the stain. Take a clean washcloth and run it under lukewarm water until it’s just lightly damp. Next, blot the affected area until the stain comes out of the leather. As long as you blot the area, most (if not all) of the stain should come out.