To extend the lifespan of your leather, and keep it looking like new, cleaning leather on a regular basis is a must. However, you cannot just use any cleaner on your beloved leather, you must use a bespoke leather cleaner. That’s right! Stop following TikTok cleaning tips and scouring your pantry, searching for ingredients to make a DIY leather cleaner.
If you invested a considerable amount in getting your hands on premium leather, you can set aside some cash to buy a leather cleaner and conditioner from a reputable company. Leather is a delicate material, albeit durable, and it demands to be treated with gentleness. Typical cleaning products do not work on leather and might even be harmful to it. If you are thinking about cleaning your leather, consult the best tips for cleaning leather given in this article. Don’t go on a cleaning frenzy knowing he bare minimum.
6 Best Tips for Cleaning Leather Properly
When Cleaning Leather, What Should One Avoid
One question that plagues the mind of leather owners is what is the best thing via which they can clean leather. The answer to this question, our dearest reader is simple: use a bespoke leather cleaner from a reputable company, and also stay away from your pantry, because trust us, it does not contain anything that might benefit and clean your leather. Below are some items that you should never use when cleaning leather:
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Windex
- Nail polish remover
- Bleach
- Disinfectant wipes
These products will not do any good to your leather. In fact, they will inflict harm on it, by drying it out, stripping it of its moisture and dyes, fading it, as well as damaging the stitching of leather. When it comes to cleaning leather, you must invest in a cleaner that is designed specifically for cleaning it. Also make sure check its ingredients to see if it contains anything that might be harmful to your leather.
If you make a habit of cleaning your leather with a reputable leather cleaner, you will not only preserve its appearance and allure but also increase its lifespan. Also, another caveat that we would like to issue here is that never ever wash your leather in a washing machine or dry it in a dryer. Water and heat are the two biggest foes of leather, and by using a washing machine and dryer, you are subjecting your leather to both.
Cleaning Leather – 6 Easy Tips
1. Before Cleaning Leather, Understand its Type
It is common knowledge that leather comes in a variety of forms and grades. Therefore, before cleaning leather, it is of vital importance that you determine its type. You can do that by checking the instructions of the manufacturer. These instructions will indicate the type of leather you have, and also what to avoid when cleaning it.
2. Before Cleaning Leather, Spot Test the Cleaner
Before you start cleaning leather, make sure to do a patch test or spot test to see how the leather reacts with the cleaner. Select a discrete area of the leather and apply a small amount of cleaner, leave for a few hours, and then check if there was any reaction or not. If not, then you are good to go.
3. When Cleaning Leather, Clean Stains Quickly
To maintain the appearance of leather, you need to act fast when it gets a stain. The best defense against stains is the best offense, meaning you must clean them as soon as possible because leather is an absorbent material. If the stains seep deeper into the layers of leather, it might become difficult to get rid of them. When you spill something on your leather, time is of the essence. Quickly grab a clean lint-free cloth and dab at the liquid stains gently. Do not rub as that will cause the stain to spread.
4. When Cleaning Leather, Vacuum Dust and Dirt
Before applying the leather cleaner to your leather, it is important that you clean it of dust and dirt. Either take a vacuum with a soft bristle, or a soft lint-free cloth to remove dirt from the surface of leather. Thoroughly clean the cracks and crevices and brush away the dust before applying cleaner.
5. When Cleaning Leather, Apply Cleaner Gently
Once you have removed all the dirt and dust from the surface of your leather, it’s time to apply the cleaner. Apply the cleaner on a lint-free cloth and gently clean your leather with it. Wipe down your leather thoroughly and then leave it to dry naturally. Keep in mind not to scrub when cleaning the leather and use gentle circular motions. Scrubbing can remove the dye and also damage the finish of the leather. In case there are a few stubborn stains, you will have to clean your leather a few times to get rid of them.
6. When Cleaning Leather, Make Sure to Condition it
Cleaning leather and conditioning go hand in hand. Once you have thoroughly cleaned your leather and let it dry, the next step is to condition it with a reputable conditioner like Whites Pearl Leather Conditioner. A conditioner can help protect and soften your leather. Just apply a small amount of Whites Pearl Leather Conditioner on a soft, lint-free cloth, and massage the conditioner on the leather in gentle, circular motions. Once the entire leather is covered by conditioner, leave it to dry naturally for 2 to 24 hours. You can apply Whites Pearl Leather Conditioner to your leather every 6 to 12 months.
Also Read
How to Remove Ink from Leather?
Advantages of a Leather Conditioner
6 Major Causes of Leather Damage