If you are a woman of discerning tastes, it is likely that you have an appreciation for fine leather goods. Indeed, leather is such a popular material option in the country for clothing and fashion accessories, that it is estimated that at any given point of time, the average consumer wears about four leather items. The popularity of leather does not stem only for its aesthetic appeal, which is beyond question, but also from its functional abilities, durability and strength. If properly maintained, fine leather goods can provide you with many years of faithful service.
Taking good care of leather products, however, can be a little tricky. Leather is a material that needs regular care, and careful handling. To get the most performance out of your fine leather goods, you need to know first about the proper way of taking care of leather as a material. If you regularly use items like leather totes, leather belts and leather keychains, it is really easy to extend their life by quite a few years, while also ensuring that these items retain their new look and sheen over that same period of time. All this needs is a little insight into the material itself, and how to properly maintain it so as to make the most of this wonderful choice of material.
Leather has been used abundantly to create clothing material and fashion accessories for many decades, and with the improvement of leather processing technologies, the quality and durability of leather have also improved remarkably. Gone are the days where you would have had to treat your leather items like precious stones, but they still need loving care to continue to provide you with faithful service. Here are a few important tips and tricks if you indeed want to take the best possible care for your fine leather goods, and to extend their life.
The Right Way to Care for Fine Leather Goods
Taking care of leather goods properly includes quite a few things, some of which you need to do on a regular basis and some only on occasion. All the while, it is also important to keep watch on your leather goods and look for signs of wear and tear, discoloration or general weakness. If you see any of these symptoms, it is time to take immediate steps so that the damage can be controlled. As far as regular maintenance and care are concerned, however, here are a few things that can make a difference.
General Care – Leather, as a material in general, need to be carefully handled on a daily basis. That is not to say that it cannot exposure to the elements, but one thing that you need to consciously avoid is water damage. Moisture can damage leather in many ways, and the gradual deposit of oils and dirt can also leave it vulnerable to damage. Avoid spills as much as possible. If a spill does occur, do not panic and let it dry naturally. Trying to use a heat-based drying method is not recommended for leather, as it can cause further damage.
Cleaning – The best regular cleaning method for your fine leather goods is to give it a wipe every few days with a soft, dry cloth. This takes very little time and goes a long way in preserving the overall look and structure of leather. Occasionally, a thorough cleaning job is needed, and the right thing to use here is a liquid cleaning solution made specifically for your rpe of leather products.
Conditioning and Storage – Giving your leather a monthly conditioning is a great way to preserve its natural moisture and prevent it from drying out. To accomplish this, use a specialized leather conditioner product and dab it onto your leather goods using a soft cloth. When not in use, storing your fine leather goods properly is also extremely important. They should be stored in dust bags and aired out every week. If you are storing bags or satchels, fill them with crumpled butter paper first to maintain form.
These simple tips will enable you to take care of your prized leather items and to extend their life, good looks and durability by quite a bit.