care of leather

the leather manufacturer endeavours to make a durable final product from the wast product "raw hide and skin" . Different types of tannage stablize the putrescribe proteins, a water-repellent treatment protects the leather against excessive wetting and the final finish protects it against mechanical and climate influences.
Although the so-called “ easy-care finish ’’, a type of finish which is hardly affected by impacts and scratches, has been propagated and applied for the last few years, all leather articles of everyday use require permanent care. In most cases this comprises purely superficial treatments which should be chosen individually for each type of leather. The method of care basically depends on the finish and surface condition of the leather in question.

Leather care products
Polishes, sprays and liquids
On grain leather these products have the function of cleaning the surface of the leather, imparting gloss and providing a protective film against water, dust, snow or salt. Such film-forming substances must not be used for suede and nubuk leathers as these are produced on flesh side and don’t require any finish containing binder or lacquer.
The products are divided into:
Oil products:
Pure oil products, color-less or colored, consist of waxes, paraffin and heavy benzene or small quantities of terpentine oil as solvent. These products are very suitable for the care of shoes. There is a risk of staining on leather which has porous finishing coats.
Emulsion
There are water-in-oil emulsions and oil-in-water emulsions. The first has a similar field of application as the pure oil products, without the risk increased staining.
If applied carefully oil-in-water emulsions can also be used for aniline leathers.
Aqueous products:
Products of this category are free from organic solvents. They are available as colorless or milky liquids, filled in bottles or aerosol cans. They are used to treat the leather garments, upholstery leathers and also fine leather articles.
Mild detergents
In dissolved form can be used to clean superficial dirt from finished leathers by rubbing lightly. The surfactant contained in these detergents help to dissolve the dirt.
Neutral soap
Non-alkaline soap solutions thatare made from palm oil or olive oil (Marseilles soap). Used suede leather with light fat liquoring effect.

Leather oil, leather greases
These consist of mixture of neutral fats, synthetic fats or oil, mineral oil and waxes. They serve the purpose of preserving pliability, mostly of vegetably tanned leather.
Water-repellent agents
Many water-repellent substances are used. Application by means of aerosol can is recommended to achieve a thin, uniform protective coat.

Recommendation for the care of different leathers
For perfect leather care the surface of the leather must be clean from residual dirt particles. Furthermore the leathers should not be wet through or moist in parts. This would impair adhesion of the products and cause uneven gloss and hardening of the material. It is always recommended that the selected product be tried out on unexposed sections. Aniline leather should be protected from direct sunlight.


Unfinished grain leathers (aniline leather)


Finished grain leathers (with thin or thick coat) Suede and nubuk leathers

Shoes and boots A preliminary treatment with water-repellent agents is recommended to protect the articles against water. The care substances are emulsions aqueous products. The care of these leather accounts for the majority of all articles. After dirt has been removed the shoes are treated with oil shoe cream and subsequently polished. Good brushing of the leather surface with a foam sponge or soft brush. Treat regularly with color sprays or water-repellent sprays.
Furniture and upholstery leathers
After removing dust wipe off the dirt in large sections with a cloth soaked in neutral soap solution. Wipe with a moist cloth. After drying treat with special leather milk or mousse. Do not treat deep fatty stains. Wipe off stains at once if possible. Be very careful when treating deeper stains.



Garments
Smooth leathers should be lightly wiped with the foam of a mild detergent and carefully rubbed with neutral oils. Afterwards special oils are dabbed on with cotton-wool. To clean suede and nubuk leathers brush the fibers. Dry cleaning is recommended for heavily soiled garments.
Gloves
Wipe gloves with a mild detergent while wearing them and dry very gently. Put the gloves on once again towards the end of drying to maintain their shape.
Bags, fancy articles
Clean the surface from dirt, gently wipe stains on aniline leathers or leathers which have received an aqueous finish with the corresponding care product. After drying treat the leather with colorless polish or polishes of the corresponding color and buff with a cloth or a very soft brush. With nubuk or suede leathers simply brush up the fibers with a sponge or brush.
Saddlery leather and leather for drive belts
The vegetably tanned leathers are often subject to high loads. Rub them with leather grease from time to time and allow the grease to penetrate. Heat the products slightly if necessary.
Work shoes
Clean the surface, rub with leather oils or leather grease and allow sinking in. The treatment should be repeated from time to time depending on how often the shoes are worn. It serves to preserve softness and pliability of the upper leather. Avoid using excessive amounts of oil or grease.
Shoes soles
Hard-worn shoe soles can be regularly rubbed with linseed oil or special grease water-repellent pastes.