Leather pants have become an increasingly popular fashion garment in recent years. Made of genuine leather, they offer an unmatched level of style, durability and versatility. Whether you're going out with friends, exploring a new city, or just running errands around your hometown, you can't go wrong with a pair of high-quality leather pants. It's the perfect "go to" choice of pants for both men and women alike. While leather is prized for its strength and durability, it's not immune to damage. If it's left exposed to the elements, for instance, it may accumulate so much moisture that it affects the fibers and ultimately damages the material. This is why it's important for individuals to give their leather pants a little TLC. By investing just a small amount of your time and resources into caring for your leather pants, you'll prolong their life while getting more bang for your buck in the process. Being that leather pants are still a relatively new fashion item, however, many people don't know how to care for them. If this sounds like a familiar scenario, keep reading for some helpful tips on how to clean, care for and maintain a pair of genuine leather pants.

Buy from a Reputable Vendor

Before we reveal the specifics for caring for leather pants, let's first go ahead and discuss the importance of buying leather pants -- or any leather garment or accessory -- from a reputable vendor. As you may already know, there are dozens of companies out there that sell leather pants, including national retail stores, department stores, independent distributors and more. However, not all of these vendors offer the same high-quality leather products. Some actually sell fake leather (also known as faux leather) in an attempt to save money and earn more profits. Although it looks like the real thing, fake leather pants lack the characteristic qualities of genuine leather, making it a poor choice for consumers. The bottom line is that you should always purchase your leather pants from a trusted and reputable vendor to ensure they are genuine; otherwise, you could end up with fake leather -- and that's never a good thing.

Use Caution When Wearing Leather Pants

What does this mean exactly? Well, leather pants aren't exactly the easiest to clean. Certain everyday items like coffee and condiments could stain the material, making it difficult to clean. So for this reason, it;s recommended that you use caution when wearing leather pants to avoid any accidental spills. Of course, spills are bound to happen at some point in time. After all, we are all humans, and humans make mistakes. When you notice a spill or stain on your leather pants, though, you should clean it immediately to minimize the risk of damage. Depending on what exactly caused the stain, you can often clean it using nothing more than a slightly damp washcloth. Take a clean washcloth and run it under the warm water for a few seconds. Next, ring out the excess water so it's just lightly damp, at which point you should blot the stained area until it comes clean.

Check the Care Label

Being that no two leather pants are made exactly the same, some manufacturers recommend different steps for cleaning and caring for them. So, how do you know which cleaning method the manufacturer recommends for your leather pants? The answer is simple: check the care label. Typically found in the waistline, this label reveals how to clean and care for the leather pants without further damaging them. When you first buy a pair of new leather pants, you should always check the care label first. And it should go without saying that following these instructions is recommended, as the manufacturer creates the care label specifically for their leather pants.

Don't Overstretch Them

One of the many perks of choosing leather pants over traditional pants like denim jeans is their increased elasticity. Leather has natural elastic properties, allowing the user to stretch and pull them without causing any serious or lasting damage. As a result, most people will agree that leather pants are particularly comfortable due to this inherit characteristic. With that said, however, you should use caution to avoid overstretching your leather pants. Stretching a pair of leather pants too far may damage the material, distorting its shape and appearance.

Avoid Water

It's next-to-impossible to keep your leather pants dry at all times -- and that's okay. Exposure to small amounts of water and moisture shouldn't cause any damage. When leather pants are exposed to water for a prolonged period of time, however, it can cause serious damage. Leather is highly porous, containing thousands upon thousands of near-microscopic holes that are constantly absorbing or releasing moisture from the surrounding environment. As leather accumulates and absorbs moisture, it may promote the formation of mold and mildew. Subsequently, this can seriously damage the leather, without any quick or easy way to fix it. To protect your leather pants from this phenomenon, it's recommended that you keep them away from water. And when your leather pants get wet, dry them off in a timely manner. This alone will make a world of difference in prolonging the life of your leather pants, protecting them from common forms of damage.

Allow Leather Pants to Breathe When Storing

When storing your leather pants -- whether it's in your closet, dresser, chest of drawers, etc. -- it's important to allow them to breathe. What does this mean exactly? Well, the air surrounding leather pants must freely circulate; otherwise, the leather may grow stagnant and sustain damage. Some people assume that it's okay to store leather pants and other leather garments in air-tight plastic bags. Unfortunately, however, this places them at risk for damage, as the lack of air circulation contributes to stagnant air while damaging the leather material in the process. So when choosing a place to store your leather pants, make sure the air can freely circulate.