Leather is a timeless and stylish material for clothing and accessories alike. And if you’re the proud owner of leather clothes, you probably know two things. First, they’re expensive. And second, they deserve special care and treatment.
So, to ensure that you can keep your fabulous leather pieces in your wardrobe for years to come here’s your complete guide to taking care of leather clothes.
How to care for your leather jacket
Let’s start with one of the most common leather pieces: the leather jacket. Whether you have a moto-chic biker jacket or a classic trench, the same rules apply.
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Here’s how to best take care of your leather jacket:
- Prevent water and rain damage with a protectant spray that won’t ruin or discolor the leather. This Kiwi Protect-All Spray helps to provide water and stain protection.
- Use a conditioner to keep your leather soft, supple and protected, and to also avoid cracking and discoloration. A great choice is this Bickmore Back 4 Leather Conditioner.
- Allow water to dry naturally and avoid using dryers, hair dryers or any other unnatural sources of heat. This will create water stains.
- Ink stains can taint the grainy appearance of natural leather, but don’t fret. Just apply simply rubbing alcohol with a white cotton cloth. Remember to blot, not scrub.
- Don’t over clean your jacket. This can wear out the leather prematurely. And besides, a worn-in leather jacket is a great look.
How to care for your leather boots
Leather boots are exposed to the very worst of the elements. From rain to snow, to salt, to mud, your boots have to put up with a lot. So, it’s super important to clean them and protect them to increase their wearability and durability.
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Here’s what we suggest.
- Cleaning leather boots is all-important to prevent long-term damage. So, for salt stains, simply mix equal parts white vinegar and water, and gently rub this mixture onto the boots with a white cotton cloth. The sooner you address salt stains, the better.
- Cleaning normal dirt and grime for your leather boots is easy, too. Just use a damp cotton rag to wipe away the dirt. Then, lather up some saddle soap and apply it to the boots before wiping them clean. The saddle soap offers triple action – cleaning, conditioning and making your leather boots waterproof. Kiwi Saddle Soap is a great classic.
- When it comes to scuffs, you can use a simple technique with baking soda. Simply dampen a soft cloth with water, and then pat it into baking soda. Then, rub the cloth on the scuffs and watch them disappear.
- To keep your boots protected, apply a protectant spray like Kiwi Protect-All to them to prevent water damage, and normal wear and tear.
- Apply a leather conditioner like Bickmore Bick 4 to keep leather strong and supple, and prevent unattractive cracks.
- For fading leather, a leather cream and small brush can do the trick. Just be sure to find a leather cream that matches your boots. That way you can maintain the true shade of the original leather grain. This Frye Unisex Leather Conditioning Cream can be used for boots, jackets, pants and even furniture.
- Try to keep your leather boot maintenance a regular and routine thing, as opposed to once or twice a year. So, as soon as you take your boots off, take a soft cloth and give them a quick wipe down. One way to help you do this is to keep your cloth exactly where you tend to leave your shoes. This way, it will be an easy habit to keep up with, and it won’t take more than a minute or two.
- If you’d like your boots to look shiny and new, apply a polish, like Kiwi Show Polish Paste, using a clean, soft cloth. Polishing your leather boots will also help them to be more water-resistant.
How to care for your leather pants
Leather pants are a bold and fun fashion statement, but they’re definitely high maintenance. Apart from protecting and conditioning the leather, how do you wash them?
It’s clear that you can’t toss them into the washer and dryer along with your other favorite denim jeans.
- First off, be smart about when and where you wear your leather pants. If there’s going to be food involved, it might be a good idea to wear something else. That’s because even though you can clean food stains and spills, they just add more potential damage to leather bottoms. That being said, if you do happen to spill something, just use a clean, soft rag, dampened with water to blot away the spill.
- Check the weather before stepping out in your leather pants. That’s because water and rain can stain and damage. Sure, a sprinkle here or there won’t cause a leather pants crisis, but if you get stuck in a rainstorm, your pants won’t be too happy, and neither will you.
- Leather pants aren’t all the same, so be sure to check the care label and follow the instructions. This ensures that you use exactly the right products and techniques to keep your leather pants looking fabulous.
- Since leather can stretch naturally, it’s important to keep your dance moves on the down low when you step into your leather pants. Stretched out leather pants aren’t a good look, right? One way to keep stretching to a minimum is to wear them for short periods of time, and to rotate them with other pants in your wardrobe to help them hold their shape longer.
- When you’re done wearing your leather pants, it’s important to store them properly. They need fresh, circulating air to avoid leather damage. So, whatever you do, do not tuck them away in a plastic bag. Instead, hang them in a closet to get fresh, circulating air.
Your leather clothes are a great addition to your wardrobe. They’re timeless pieces that are always current and something you can wear for years to come. To help leather clothes stand the test of time, protect and care for them using these simple tips.
