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eTyres care about our customers. The
following article may be of interest.
How to Clean Leather
by Vincent Platania
One of the first fabrics that man fashioned to wear or
use, leather has been a popular material from its
beginnings. Leather is a beautiful, longwearing,
breathable, natural fabric that has multiple uses, i.e.,
clothing, shoes, furniture, luggage, and vehicle
interiors. This valuable fabric is an investment that
will last for years if it is treated with care. Owners
want to know how to correctly clean leather products
because leather can be quickly ruined if handled
incorrectly.
Leather hides can be categorized as belonging to several
types, depending on the process to preserve the hides.
The piece of leather can be smooth, suede, dyed in a
variety of ways, coated, or tanned naturally. The dye
used to color the fabric can be of different types that
demand different handling. A product that works
beautifully on one type of leather can permanently stain
a different type. It is important to read any
manufacturer's instructions to understand what type of
finish was used to create the item.
There are general rules for how to clean leather,
however. These rules apply to how to clean car
upholstery, belts, purses, jackets or other clothing, as
well as furniture, luggage, and leather shoes. All
leather needs an environment that is not too wet, not
too dry, not too hot, or not too cold. Any extremes in
the atmosphere can cause irreparable harm to the hides.
Because leather is a natural fabric, it needs to
breathe. Store leather in a cool area where it can have
air circulating around it. Its color can also fade if it
is kept in full sun. Furniture should be placed
carefully in a room to avoid exposure to direct
sunlight. Cars with leather seats need to be stored in a
garage to preserve the color and to avoid permanent
marks from the sun shining through the windows in the
same pattern daily.
Leather can also dry out over time. Exposure to heat or
direct sun can hasten this drying process. Moisture can
and should be restored to the leather by rubbing in
conditioners on a regular basis. This conditioning also
helps leather repel some substances that might soak into
a dried-out piece.
Removing stains can be a challenge on leather goods.
Only use products that are specially formulated for safe
use on leather. Always test the product on an
inconspicuous spot to see if its use will change the
color of the item. If the garment is one of a set (for
instance, one of a pair of gloves) treat both items to
maintain a color match. Small spots may respond to
careful application of alcohol, corn starch, or cuticle
remover applied with a cotton swab. This last suggestion
will work by removing a thin layer of the leather, so be
careful to test in an inconspicuous spot on dyed items.
A water-stained garment may be saved by wetting the
entire garment to attempt to match the "new" color.
An expert may need to be consulted to discover how to
clean car upholstery that has unusual or extensive
stains. Following a regular maintenance schedule and
wiping up any spills immediately should keep the
interior of the car attractive and comfortable.
Certain natural leather finishes can be permanently
stained or turn a different color if exposed to too much
water or other liquids. One key rule is to clean the
piece immediately, before a substance has a chance to
soak in or dry onto the hide. Homeowners should not
panic or look the other way when their leather furniture
is spilled on or marked because they are unsure how to
clean it.
Leather, because it is a natural fabric, should be
maintained by washing at least twice a year. This
washing should be done gently, by hand. Use a mild soap
or a saddle soap. Create suds in a bowl and apply the
suds to the leather surface with a soft cloth or sponge.
Do not use the soapy water. Be careful to keep the cloth
barely damp -- not wet. After washing, buff the leather
item dry with a second soft cloth. Do not try to dry the
leather item near heat, as this will cause the leather
to become brittle and possibly shrink. After washing and
drying the item is complete, rub a good leather
conditioner into the fabric. This conditioner serves to
protect the leather from spills or stains, and helps
keep it soft and supple. If unsure about using a leather
conditioner, the manufacturer's directions will explain
how. Clean leather by hand, gently, with the proper
products, and this fabric will last for years.
About the Author
By Vincent Platania. Fuller Brush Products - In business
since 1906, Fuller Brush has been offering families
high-quality household products for nearly a century.
Fuller Brush natural cleaning products are
environmentally friendly.
Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com
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