There’s nothing that compares to the look and comfort of genuine leather. It’s a classic, elegant material that’s unmatched in terms of aesthetics. Perhaps this is why leather jackets are still popular after all of these years. If you’re going to invest in leather, though, there are a few things you should know.
Don’t Speed-Dry Leather
If your leather happens to get wet, dry it slowly rather than attempting to speed-dry it. Some people automatically go for the hair dryer when they spill water on their leather garments. But using a hair dryer or other speed-drying techniques triggers certain chemical reactions within the garment, affecting its look, texture and overall quality. A better approach is to wipe the water or liquid off the surface of your leather garment and let it air dry.
Don’t Leave It Outside
I know this probably sounds like common sense to most people, but don’t leave your leather garments outside. Leather is sensitive to sunlight and moisture, both of which are readily available outside. The sun’s powerful UV A/B rays will penetrate through the leather, causing it to fade and even crack open. And moisture is equally as damaging, as it encourages the formation of mold and mildew, which can ruin an otherwise perfect leather garment.
Do Moisturize Your Leather With a Conditioning Product
If you haven’t done so already, invest in a premium leather conditioning product (sold at most leather shops). Leather needs to be moisturized on a regular basis to preserve its integrity, which is where a conditioning product comes into play: it offers just the right amount of moisture, preserving the characteristics of leather while preventing saturation.
Note: you should moisturize/condition your leather garment sparingly. Doing it too often may damage the leather, so read the instructions ahead of time to determine exactly how often it should be used.
Do Remove Stains Promptly
Stains are bound to happen at some point or another. Whether it’s a spilled cup of coffee, soda, ketchup, or just plain dirt, you should clean it as soon as possible. Conventional wisdom should tell you that the longer the stain remains on the leather, the harder it will be remove to remove. But leather is particularly susceptible to stains due to its porous characteristics. The stain substance will gradually seep into the pores, making it difficult to remove. The bottom line is that you should clean stains on your leather the moment you first notice them.