Leather Care

 

        Like your skin, leather needs some care to protect it and make it last. I believe that if something is good enough for your own skin it should work on your leather products.

 

                There is a lot of controversy and superstitions about what is the best way to care for a leather product. If you’re going to use something on your leather product, it is best to try out a test spot. Pick an area that is not seen and hidden and apply your care product to this spot. Wait around 24 hours and then look to see if the outcome is what you desire.

 

                What do I use to clean leather? For just cleaning it to take off dust and such, I will use a microfiber cloth that is dampened and wrung out. If something gets muddy and dirty, I will try to wipe most of the dirt and mud off with a clean cloth. After that, I'll use a drop of Dawn dishwashing liquid in a liter bottle full of water and try to wipe off as much of the dirt and mud as possible with a dampened cloth that has been wrung out. I will let it dry naturally. Never use a heat source to dry it. Using a heat source for drying is very hard on the leather and will in a lot of cases hardens the leather. After any cleaning and drying, leather needs to be conditioned.  At this point, I will some times use saddle soap which has a few things in it to help clean, condition and polish the leather. Sometimes Saddle soap can take the dye, pigment or paint off the leather also. This step is for leather that has gotten very dirty or it has been very neglected. If I don't think I need to do that much of a restore and I'm working on leather that has been treated all right I go on to the part where I just worry about conditioning and finishing the leather.  

 

                What do I use to just condition and finish leather? I use Carnauba cream or Aussie Leather Conditioner to condition and to help the leather in resisting water. After that, I add Resolene to give just that extra bit to help the leather resist water. After that, I let it air dry, and then I’ll take a badger hair brush and buff and shine up the leather.

 

                Now you may have other ways that you like to take care of your leather. If so, do it your own way. Just remember to do a test spot on any new leather product you’re trying to take care of before you do the whole item.

 

Allergies

               

                Let’s face it: some people do not have any problems what so ever with allergies while some people have mild allergies, and others absolutely suffer from allergies. There are a lot of things that go into leatherworking. A lot of things go into the tanning process, Working the leather, Conditioning and finishing the leather. Different products from natural to man-made products are used. With that said any number of things could give people an allergic reaction. With any leather item if you develop a rash or irritation on your skin where your leather item was in direct contact, there is a possibility there is something with the leather that you may be allergic to.