How to Care for Your Leather Goods, and Why it Matters After 5 years
When we buy a full-grain leather product, it shows our appreciation for luxury and high-quality products. A full-grain leather good is very strong and durable because it is made out of the topmost layer of the hide, which retains all the natural fibres, grain patterns and natural oils that make the leather age gracefully, but even a high-quality leather good needs timely care for it to function well and to preserve its natural oils so that it lasts longer without cracking.
So, how do we take care of our leather goods? Let us understand in detail.
Regular Cleaning
Clean your leather goods once a week; whether it is a leather bi-fold wallet, a leather bag, or a leather jacket, it needs to be cleaned regularly. To clean your leather product, use a soft, dry cloth and remove the dust from its surface.
Every few months, you can deep clean your leather goods with a pH-balanced leather cleaner. This cleaner cleans your leather goods but also preserves their natural oils. If you use soap or a regular detergent to clean your leather products, it might cause more harm than good; it will strip away the natural oils of the leather, causing it to lose its shine and leading it to crack and tear.
For stubborn stains, use good-quality specialized leather cleaners and avoid using any home remedies.
Condition and Moisturize Often
Only cleaning your leather product is not enough; you need to condition and moisturize it too. Since leather is a natural material sourced from animal hide, it can easily dry up and crack, so it is very necessary to moisturize it.
To moisturize your leather, apply a good-quality lanolin-based leather conditioner or a balm every 3 months; this will moisturize it and make it supple and also prevent cracks.
Use a protectant
Use a wax-based protectant or a spray to protect your leather product from any kind of moisture. Although leather is water-resistant, it needs to be protected from moisture because frequent contact with water or any other moisture can promote mould development and cause the leather to lose its quality.
If your leather bag or any other leather goods get wet, gently blot the excess water and allow them to air dry completely, away from direct heat and sunlight.
Avoid Heat Exposure
It is best to prevent your leather goods from getting exposed to direct heat and sunlight because this dries their surface and causes cracking. Once your leather cracks, it is difficult to fix.
Storage
When it comes to storing your leather goods, it is recommended to store them in a soft, clean and dry cotton bag. Before storing leather bags, stuff them with bubble wrap or acid-free tissue paper to maintain their structure.
Never store your leather goods in a plastic cover because it will not allow your bag to breathe and will accumulate moisture. Leather products should be stored in breathable cotton bags. After keeping your leather product in a cotton bag, place it in a cool and dry place.
Why Care Matters After 5 Years
Full-grain leather goods are naturally very durable, and caring for your leather goods right from the beginning helps in preserving their strength and quality, and they will last even longer. When you take proper care of your leather goods, they can easily last for a decade, sometimes even for a lifetime.
Proper care for your leather product helps in preventing irreversible damage, such as stiffness, cracks and creases. Also, conditioning your leather product every 3 to 4 months helps in preserving the natural oils of the leather, and this avoids cuts, cracks and creases.
When a full-grain leather product is taken good care of, it develops a beautiful patina which gives it a rich, deeper color and shine rather than looking old and dirty.
Final Thoughts
A high-quality full-grain leather good is a naturally very strong material and can last for many years. When you care for them, it will increase their lifespan and maintain their quality. When a leather product is taken good care of, it ages beautifully.
At Knights & Walker, we have a thoughtfully curated collection of leather goods which are handcrafted with care and attention to detail. Visit our site today to check them out.
