Leather Protection
and Care
- Use a high-quality water and stain repellent product, to help
prevent water stains and soiling. Apply immediately after purchasing
your new leather item, and every two or three months with regular
use.
- Use a high quality leather lotion on a soft cloth to moisturize
your finished leather.
- Avoid using cleaning fluid, shoe cream, saddle soap and mink
oil. These products contain ingredients that may damage leather.
- We recommend that you test any protection and cleaning products
on a hidden area of the leather.
- Don't keep heavy objects, such as key chains, in your pockets.
Doing so will stretch the leather.
- Avoid applying hair sprays and perfumes while wearing leather.
- Don't attach pins, adhesive badges or tape to leather.
- Repair hems with a small amount of rubber cement.
Cleaning
- Gently blot liquid stains with a clean cloth.
- Winter salt stains your leather, wipe with a clean, damp cloth
and dry naturally.
- Visit a professional leather cleaner for more serious stains.
Normal dry cleaning methods will remove essential oils, causing
the leather to crack, fade and shrink. A cleaner who specializes
in leather care will use a different method to clean and condition
the leather. Even this special process may cause slight variations
in color, texture, and shape; so it is important to clean matching
garments together.
Care when wet
- If your leather becomes wet, allow it to dry at room temperature.
(Never put leather in the dryer.) Buff suede with a soft towel
to restore the nap.
- If your garment has faux fur trim and the fur gets wet, dry
it with a hair dryer set on the lowest temperature. Shake fur
during the drying process, and periodically during wear to maintain
loft and maximize appearance.
Storage
- Store your leather coat or jacket on a wide wooden, plastic
or padded hanger to help maintain its shape.
- Store leather in a well-ventilated, cool, dry place. Avoid hot
areas, such as attics; or damp areas, such as cellars.
- Cover your leather with breathable cloth, like cotton sheets,
when storing. Plastic bags or coverings will cause excessive drying.
- Wrinkles and creases in leather should hang out. If ironing
is necessary, place heavy brown paper over the leather and use
a cool to medium iron. Take care not to overheat the leather,
which will cause it to shine.
- Avoid exposing leather to direct sunlight or heat for prolonged
periods of time.
The Look and Feel of Leather
When most people see leather, their first reaction is
to touch it. The way leather feels is called its hand. In general,
the softer the hand, the higher the cost.
The raw material, which is a determined by genetics, greatly influences
the quality of leather. Every hide and skin has sections that are
naturally wrinkled, softer or thinner in certain areas. Environmental
factors, including climate and food supply, also affect the final
product. Since leather is a natural material, it is never uniform.
Its small surface imperfections create a unique beauty that can
never be duplicated.
Shopping Tips
- Consider the cut, style and lining that
work best for your lifestyle.
- The price of leather is mostly determined by the quality of
the raw materials and style of the apparel or accessory.
Leather Facts
- Leather is tear and puncture-resistant.
- Leather protects from heat, cold and wind; and it repels moisture.
- Leather items are available in a variety of weights and made
with different linings for comfort in warm and cold weather.
- Leather apparel stretches and molds to your body, yet at the
same time retains its shape.
- Leather breathes -- that's what keeps it soft and supple.
- Leather is an agricultural by-product of the food industry.
We purchase the hides and transform them into beautiful leather
apparel and accessories.
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