Leather is a classic, timeless, and durable material used to make many goods. Leather is a raw material produced from the hides and skins of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Leather goods have been popular since 300 BC, and during the Roman Empire leather was used to make sails for boats. Other common uses for leather include furniture, handbags, wallets, watch cases, home decor, and clothing. With all these leather items, there must be a way to take care of them all!
Owning a leather handbag or leather wallet surely feels like a luxury, and most of the time they do come with a luxury price tag! To keep your leather items looking pristine, you must know how to properly clean and care for them. The lifespan of leather depends on the quality of the leather, and most importantly, how well it's cared for. If you take proper care of your leather items, then they should stand the test of time.
How to Clean Leather
1. Use a soft brush or cloth to remove any dirt that may be on the surface of your item. Brush with the grain of the leather to avoid damaging your item.
2. Mix a few drops of mild, natural dish soap with warm water. Ensure your solution is not too soapy. There are even special leather cleaners and leather care products that you can purchase if you prefer.
3. Dip a soft microfiber cloth in the soap and water solution, wring out the excess and wipe the surface of your leather item. Avoid scrubbing too hard as this could damage the surface of your leather item. You should only need to wipe the surface with a light touch.
4. Work slowly and in small sections. Ensure that you are not saturating the surface of your item too much.
5. Use another soft cloth and dip it into just some warm water. Wring our excess, and wipe the surface of your leather item with the damp cloth to get rid of any soap residue.
6. Dry your leather item with a clean cloth. Avoid trying to dry your leather item with any extreme heat sources (ex: hair dryer, heater)
7. Allow your leather item to completely air dry.
8. Enjoy your freshly cleaned leather item!
How to Condition Leather
Once you've gotten your leather item all cleaned up, apply a leather conditioner to keep it from drying out and/or cracking!
1. Purchase a commercial leather condition of your choosing. There are many different varieties that you can choose from.
2. Many leather conditioners will come with specific instructions to follow to ensure that their product provides a great shine.
3. Generally, they will have you apply the product, let it sit for a little while, and then you will need to buff it in circular motions with a soft, clean cloth until your leather item shines.
***Prior to cleaning your leather with any solution or conditioner, be sure to spot-check a small area to ensure that no adverse effects or discoloration occur. Also, be sure to take into account the type of leather that you have, as cleaning depends on the type of leather you have. This guide accounts for a majority of leather.***
Check Out Marleylillys AMAZING Leather Items
Now that you know how to take care of and clean leather, it's time to splurge and purchase a nice leather item for yourself!
Marleylilly offers so many cute leather items that make the perfect gift for someone else, or even as a nice treat for yourself.
Monogrammed Leather Tote Bag
The Monogrammed Leather Tote Bag is the PERFECT everyday tote. It features a rich brown leather and has a black and white gingham interior lining, and sports a gold foil monogram. If monogramming isn't your style, you can order without it! This leather tote also comes with a black and white gingham leather trimmed pouch that attaches to the inside of the bag!!
Personalized Leather Valet Tray
Another must-have leather item is Marleylilly's Personalized Leather Valet Tray! This product makes for a great decoration piece that keeps all your small belongings in one spot. It looks perfect on a foyer console table, on a bathroom vanity, or even on a nightstand. This tray makes for the perfect gift for any man in your life.
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Now that you know how to clean your leather items and care for them, what leather item do you plan to purchase next? Let us know in the comments below what your next leather purchase will be!
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