Leather cleaning and proper care are essential to keeping your leather looking its best for years, decades, and even for generations. While leather is well-known for its durability and longevity, it still requires proper care. For 30 years, we’ve answered numerous inquiries regarding leather cleaning and maintenance. The method for leather cleaning varies depending on the type of leather, amount of use, and extent of wear. Here are our top leather cleaning tips.
Maintain Your Leather With Simple Dusting
In general, leather is a low maintenance material. You should wipe your leather occasionally with a dry or slightly moist, soft, clean cloth to prevent dust particles and other airborne debris from accumulating on the surface. Simply moisten the cloth with a small amount of pure water. Never use furniture polish, ammonia based cleaners, or harsh soaps. These products may damage the finish on leather. For best results, we recommend 3-in-1 Leather Wipes. These are safe to use on both semi-aniline and pure aniline leather products.
Blot Liquid Spills Immediately
When spills do occur, time is of essence. It is best to act immediately and blot up excess liquid with a dry, clean cloth. If necessary, use Mild Cleanser to absorb the spill and clean the entire stain completely. It is best to let the wet area dry naturally. Do no use hair dryers or other direct sources of heat to dry the leather quickly, as this could cause further damage. You may use Mild Cleanser on both semi-aniline and pure aniline leather products.
If a spill is caused by butter, oil, or grease, do not use water or Mild Cleanser. Instead, use a dry cloth to absorb the excess grease. Leave the leather alone to allow the spill to dissipate into the leather naturally over a short period of time.
Clean Ink Marks As Soon As Possible
We are often asked about ink stains on leather. Again, when faced with an unwanted ink stain, it is important to act quickly. Use Ink Remover to remove the stain as soon as possible. Simply rub the Ink Remover stick over the stain to apply the ink remover. Allow the ink remover to sit for 30 to 60 seconds. Then take a dry, clean cloth to remove both the ink remover and the stain. Do not rub aggressively. Reapply ink remover, let sit, and gently rub off as needed until the stain is completely gone. Ink Remover works best when applied to the stain when the stain occurs. Permanent inks are not removable from leather.
Protect Your Leather Over Time
For best results, we recommend periodically applying protector to nourish your leather, retain its softness, and protect it from future stains. Our Leather Care Kit has everything you need for long term care, including cleaner, protector, ink remover, and detailed instructions.
Use Appropriate Products For Nubuck Leather
Nubuck leather is a special type of leather that requires different care. Nubuck leather is buffed to expose the fiber structure. Therefore, we do not recommend using 3-in-1 Leather Wipes, Mild Cleanser, or Ink Remover for nubuck products. Instead, we offer a Nubuck Care Kit, which has cleaner and protector specifically formulated for nubuck products. In addition, it includes a reviving sponge, which you may use to restore the nap of the leather.
Most leathers will age beautifully and develop a rich patina. Follow these simple care tips, and you’ll be able to enjoy your leather for years, as it improves over time.
