Leather Care


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	A guide to purchasing and caring for leather garments Leather ages gracefully and can last a lifetime with proper care. It's been a fashion favorite since our days in caves, and based on all that experience the Leather Apparel Association and the National Cleaners Association make the following recommendations on how to purchase and maintain these garments. Generally speaking the softer the `hand' or feel of a leather garment, the higher the cost will be. Keep in mind though, that soft and `thin-skinned' garments are also more fragile and susceptible to damage in wear or cleaning. Several other factors also influence the general appearance and overall quality of a leather garment. The first is the raw material, which is a product of the animal's genetics. Every hide (a whole pelt from cattle, etc.) and skin (the pelt of smaller animals) has sections that are inherently wrinkled, softer or thinner than other parts. Environmental conditions including climate and food supply are also a factor. Nature's creations are never uniform: therefore, these variations and surface imperfections impart a unique natural beauty to genuine leather garments. The tanners mask many of these blemishes, but these tanning treatments are cosmetic and with normal wear and tear will eventually fade, leaving the `natural' skin with all its imperfections exposed. Workmanship First, a protective treatment - termed curing - is administered to the hide or pelt, which is then shipped to a tannery. There the raw materials are put through a chemical process that softens the leather and makes it more supple. Today, tanners can adjust the thickness of the skin, change the color and apply topical finishes that alter or enhance its appearance. Garment manufacturers receive the finished product and create the leather apparel. The very nature of the beast (no pun intended) makes imperfections in the basic skin inevitable. The tanners' job is to treat and color the hide (a process similar to a woman applying make up to her skin) to even out the look and tone. Keep in mind that time and cleaning will ultimately effect these treatments much the same way washing your face removes make-up. So eventually the actual condition of the animal hide will be revealed. Consumers are cautioned to carefully read hang- tags and care labels on leather garments before making a purchase. Often times inferior tanning processes result in hang tags or labels that warn against color or top dye transfers from light to dark colored garments or furnishings as a consequence of contact between the two. Undoubtedly, such items will prove especially treacherous to wear and care for over time. Leather Care and Cleaning Here are a few tips on caring for your leather garments: Always hang leather garments on wide or padded hangers to maintain their shape. Never store leather goods in plastic or other non-breathable covers. This will cause the leather to become dry. Allow wet or damp leather to air-dry naturally away from any heat source. In winter, promptly remove salt deposits from garments by having the garment professionally cleaned. Avoid storing in very humid or very dry environments as well as in direct sunlight. Do not use waxes, silicone products or other leather preparations that impair a garment's ability to breathe. Avoid spraying perfumes or hair sprays while wearing your garment and do not apply pins, adhesive badges or tape. Wearing a scarf at the neckline will help keep hair and body oil away from the collar. Hems may be fixed with a tiny amount of rubber cement by a leather care professional. All products used at home should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the garment. Fabric garments with leather trim should be cared for as if they were a leather item. What you should know about leather cleaning The Leather Apparel Association recommends professional leather cleaning for all leathers, and fabric garments trimmed with leather or suede. The LAA also advises consumers: Clean matching garments at the same time, since a slight variation in color or texture may occur as a natural result of the cleaning process. Natural marks and wrinkles could become more apparent after cleaning. Garment may shrink slightly, but may stretch again with wear. The National Cleaners Association advises consumers that they should always sign a consent to process form when having leather garments cleaned. This document ensures that they have been properly advised about the vulnerability of their leather garments when having them cleaned or finished. Please visit http://www.nca-i.com/Consumer/leatherterms.htm for important leather terms you should know \| Keep Whites, White! \| Storing Winter Clothes \| Leather Care \| Buying Winter Coat \| Best Hangers \| Label Information \| Facts about Goose Down \| Moth Damage \| Cashmere \| Layering For Cold Weather \| \| Return Home \| Our Services \| FAQ Page \| Contact Us \| How Do I? \|