How to Protect Leather
Genuine leather is a beautiful material that can last years when taken care of properly. Here’s how to protect your investment and enjoy your leather for years to come.
Know Your Leather
Not all leather materials are made the same. Some are more delicate than others. For example, suede leather is more delicate than nubuck leather coating, which is made for more tougher environments.Each kind of leather requires a different kind of care and protection, so make sure you know what you are dealing with.
The safest way to go around this dilemma is to buy a product made specifically for the type of leather you’re dealing with. Heavy-duty shoes or boots exposed to harsh winter weather can benefit from traditional oils, wax and dressings. Lighter ones like the aforementioned suede would benefit much more from silicone-free products or treatments.
Cleaning
When looking for a product to clean your leather, look for one that will not strip the leather of its lubricating oils and at the same time will not leave a greasy residue. The first instance will make the leather grow dry and the second one will lead to the leather deteriorating.
Do a little spot test and apply a bit of the cleaning product on one small area of the leather and leave it overnight. If the product does not discolor or damage the leather the next day, you can use it for cleaning.
Apply the product all over the shoe using a clean dry cloth.
Leave it on for a few minutes, and remove the cleaning product with a slightly dampened cloth.
Conditioning
Conditioning your leather should just be done occasionally, to bring back the supple feel to the leather. Again, be careful when choosing a conditioner. Do the spot test like you did with cleaning.
Remove excess conditioner using a clean dry cloth.
Storage and Protection
Extreme temperatures of hot and cold are the biggest causes of leather damage. Appropriate moisture barriers appropriate for the leather type should be applied to prevent stiffness and spouting.
Periodically apply protective moisture barriers from time to time. Allow to sit for a few days before using the leather item once again.
Keep your leather protected from humidity and dampness.