Information for Cleaning Leather & Leather Products

A good starting point for cleaning leather is to determine if your leather item is finished or unfinished. In general finished leather items will have a shiny or smooth surface which may be luggage, garments, handbags, wallets, or garments. Unfinished leather and suede usually have a natural dull finish or nappy finish like saddlery, work boots and shoes or sport gloves etc.

Purchase good leather cleaner and rub it into the leather in even circular motions. After using the cleaner use a leather conditioner. Leather Balm with Atom Wax Leather Conditioner is an excellent dressing, which will clean, soften, and condition leather. Saddle soap is not recommended for use on a leather couch is too harsh for furniture.

Leather should be kept out of direct sunlight as it will fade or discolor. One tip for removing spots from leather is to dip a soft cloth into rubbing alcohol and rub the spot. Water spots can be removed from leather by moistening the area again with a little water. Let it dry or gently blow dry. Oil leather with a leather preservative such as mink oil

Be sure to wipe leather shoes with a damp cloth regularly, and keep them well polished with a paste. For saturated leather shoes, insert shoe trees and let air-dry. For leather garments, gloves and bags that are discolored use a leather spray designed to restore color.

If you decide to use at leather conditioner, first try it on a small section not noticeable in case your particular brand of leather does not react well to the action. Spills or water need to be cleaned up immediately as they can penetrate the dye in the leather and leave a spot. Avoid products like mink oil, shoe polish and waxes when cleaning leather furniture or garments. Use a damp cloth or sponge to rub saddle soap into the leather; work soap into a light lather. Saddle soap is not recommended on a leather couch, as it is too harsh for furniture. As a finishing step, oil leather with a leather preservative.

Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime. Cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of body oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this. For car leather seats the owners manual says to use a 5% solution of detergent made for wool (Woolite). Sounds unusual, but it cleans and protects leather of all kinds.

Another option for cleaning leather is to take a damp cloth, wipe it across moisturizing soap and lather the leather. Remember: When removing spots from leather, always test any cleaning method on an out-of-the-way spot first.

For suede shoes, try an art gum eraser. If that is unsuccessful, use undiluted white vinegar on a soft cloth, blot the spot. Never rub when cleaning suede. Suede being unfinished type of leather needs to be handled with care. An inexpensive leather cleaning processes, like baking soda or salt may also be used.

The best means to clean leather is determined by what kind of stain and the type of the leather. Advice for common leather cleaning is always test small indiscernible patch of leather before proceeding on the whole item. Follow cleaning the item with a Suede and Fabric leather protector which will act as a protector and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed. This will make the job easier in the future.