How to clean and care for leather products at home?

Leather is an extremely durable and dirt-resistant material, but it does get dirty over time. The level of soiling depends on the type of leather item and how it is used. Leather care is important. If it is exposed to wet, dry or dirty conditions, it will need to be cleaned more frequently than an item that is rarely used.

Part of the pleasure of owning a leather product is the touch. So to get the best out of your leather, you need to keep it clean. We will look at the best way to clean your leather products at home.

How to remove stains and odors from leather?

Leather can be cleaned with a commercially available cleaner that is suitable for all types of leather. Always test on an inconspicuous area before using any cleaner. Apply the cleaner with a soft, damp cloth and cover the entire leather surface. Do circular movements. Wipe off excess moisture with a second damp cloth. As a last step, dry the whole thing with a clean cloth.

Allow the leather to air dry, but never in direct sunlight. Leather can also be steam cleaned to remove germs and dirt particles. However, since steam cleaning does not penetrate the leather, it is not as effective at removing stains.

Always make sure the cleaning product is suitable for the type of leather you are going to treat. Also, always remember to apply the product to a microfiber cloth, never directly to the leather. Work the product into the surface and remove the excess with a clean cloth.

 

Not all leather materials require the same level of care

The type of leather will determine the cleaning method to be used. Dressed leather (treated leather) has a protective layer, while suede and rawhide (untreated leather) do not. 

A little saddle soap can be used on a finished leather sofa, but even a mild soap can be too harsh on the most delicate leathers. If you are not sure how your leather will react to cleaning, test the cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area.

 

Avoid homemade cleaning solutions

When it comes to leather, your best bet is to use water or cleaning products specifically designed for leather. Popular home remedies like baking soda, white vinegar, cream of tartar, and lemon juice can be very damaging to delicate leather and make your leather product even worse.

 

Treat stains as soon as they appear

Stains on leather are best treated by wiping them off immediately with a soft cloth to remove as much moisture as possible. It is recommended to dampen the cloth with a leather cleaner. A spray product can also be used. In this case spray it on the cloth first and not directly on the leather surface. Do not rub, otherwise you may leave a water stain. Pat dry with a dry cloth.

 

Sometimes calling a professional cleaner is essential 

Grease, make-up and ink stains that cannot be removed require professional cleaning. 

If the stain doesn't go away even after trying the above solutions, it makes sense to call in a professional. Sometimes the best solution is to do nothing. Contact an expert!

 

How do you protect leather and prevent stains?

It's also important to know how to care for your leather products to avoid possible further staining and damage. All types of leather are different and require special care to make them last longer.

 

Dampen your leather if you can

After cleaning the leather with water or leather cleaner, use a leather conditioner to restore moisture. Gently rub the leather conditioner into the leather in a circular motion using a brush, sponge or microfiber cloth.

 

Remember to clean your leather items regularly

Protect your leather. Protect all your leather items by regularly wiping away dirt and grime. Some items, such as B. leather jackets can be impregnated with a waterproofing spray, while others, such. B. shoes, can be waxed to make them more water-repellent.

When it comes to your chairs and armchairs at home, remember to clean them well using a suitable detergent to ensure their longevity.

Finally, you should regularly store your leather items in a dry place away from direct sunlight to avoid mold and discoloration. To keep leather bags in shape, stuff them with a clean towel and store them in a dust bag. Hang leather jackets on sturdy hangers.

 

How do you care for leather items? 

Some items require special cleaning techniques. Below are some tips for cleaning your everyday leather goods and furniture.

 

How do you clean a leather sofa and armchair?

With normal use, all you need to do is dust, especially in the crevices or underneath to clean leather furniture. Vacuum the upholstery with a stiff brush and remove the flat nozzle for corners and other hard-to-reach places.

However, using a good leather conditioner is highly recommended to prevent cracking and to preserve the leather's appearance for longer. As already mentioned, you should protect your leather sofa from sunlight and direct light so that it stays beautiful for a long time. Like any other furniture material, leather can, to a certain extent, fade when exposed to sunlight.

 

How do you clean a leather bracelet?

Use a soft cloth to dust your leather strap before cleaning. Dampen your soft cloth with a little water. If you want, you can add a little soap. However, when adding soap, use very little so as not to damage the leather of your watch strap. Gently brush your bracelet with the slightly damp soft cloth to degrease it. Ideally, you should clean your bracelet first on the inside and then on the outside, also checking the stitching.

However, this technique is only temporary. The best way to preserve the quality of your watch strap is to use a special leather cleaning product. This saves you time and money in the long run.

 

How do you clean a leather shoe?

Leather boots are timeless. This is how you take care of them. Clean them up immediately if you spill any liquid on them. Use the same solution as above for regular cleaning. Use soap and water, just like you did with the leather jacket. You can also clean leather boots with baby wipes. They are gentle on leather shoes and you can stock some of these.

Keep in mind that these tips are only for temporary cleaning. If you want to precede your leather objects with a really good cleaning, in this case it is advisable to use specific products suitable for leather.

 

Leather care: Use Hagerty leather care products

Leather care : a cleaning and care cream

For regular cleaning of your leather goods, we advise you to use our cream. This cleans and cares for your leather accessories without affecting their colors. It removes stains, hydrates the leather and protects it from moisture.

Leather care is made from natural carnauba waxes that protect and care for leather items such as car seats, sofas or handbags.

The care works quickly, is efficient and leaves a pleasant smell on your accessories. But the most important effect is that the cream makes tarnished and dirty leather shine again.

How is the leather cleaner used?

  1. Carefully apply the cream to the leather with the sponge.
  2. Rub thoroughly with a soft cloth for a lasting effect.
  3. Here we are: Your leather will shine again.
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Leather Spray : a cleaning and maintenance spray

You can also try our spray for cleaning your leather items, which makes damaged and dirty leather shine.

This spray contains petroleum jelly, which restores the leather's suppleness and protects it from moisture. It is an easy-to-use spray formulation:

  1. Shake the spray can.
  2. Spray the leather from 15 cm.
  3. Wipe carefully.
  4. Clean with a damp cloth.

Please note that leather spray can be used on various types of leather except full grain aniline, suede or nubuck.

Hagerty Leder Spray - Leather Spray 118007 A118007 EAN 7610928999862
Hagerty Cleaning spray for leather accessories and furniture
14,90 EUR
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