A leather sofa, shoes, bag, or jacket can last for years. In fact, with proper care, leather often only gets more beautiful. But of course, you do have to take good care of it.
Stains, dust, sunlight, and improper cleaning can cause leather to dry out, discolor, or look dull. Fortunately, you don’t have to immediately buy expensive cleaning products for every little stain.
With a few simple tricks, you can learn to maintain many items at home yourself.
Pay attention first: not all leather is the same.
Before you enthusiastically get to work with a cloth, there is one important rule: first check what type of leather you have.
Smooth leather can often be gently wiped with a damp cloth, while suede and nubuck require completely different treatment. Treated and untreated leather can also react differently.
Therefore, always try a cleaning method on a small and inconspicuous area first.
This is how you keep a leather jacket looking good for longer.
It is best not to leave or hang a leather jacket in bright sunlight for extended periods. This can cause the color to change over time.
Is there a superficial stain? Then always start carefully. Use a soft cloth and try not to scrub hard on the leather.
Talcum powder is traditionally often used for grease stains. Sprinkle some powder on the fresh grease stain and give it time to absorb the grease. Then gently wipe it away.
For larger or stubborn stains, a product specifically designed for the type of leather in question is the safest choice.
Green soap for your leather sofa?
An old household trick is using a little bit of green soap with lukewarm water.
Make a mild soapy solution and use a soft cloth. The most important thing is to wring out the cloth very well . Soaking the leather in water is absolutely not recommended.
Carefully wipe down a small section of the sofa and then dry it with a clean, soft cloth.
But please note: green soap is not suitable for every leather sofa. Therefore, consult the manufacturer’s care instructions first and always test it on an inconspicuous area.
The Spa Rood trick
Then the trick that many people don’t know: sparkling mineral water .
An old cleaning tip is to put a small amount of carbonated water on a cloth and gently treat superficial dirt with it.
However, do not simply spray your leather sofa completely wet. Too much moisture can actually cause stains.
Would you like to try this method? Then put a small amount on a white cloth and test it first on the back or underside of the sofa. Making leather shoes look nice again
Leather shoes also take quite a beating. Rain, mud, dust, and street dirt quickly make them look less attractive.
Start by removing loose dirt with a soft brush or cloth. Then, you can gently clean smooth leather with a suitable product and a slightly damp cloth.
Then let leather shoes dry naturally.
Preferably do not place them against a hot radiator to speed up the process. Intense heat can cause leather to dry out and eventually crack.
Don’t forget to care for it after cleaning.
This is where many people go wrong.
Cleaning is only half the job. Depending on the type, leather also requires care. A suitable leather cream or conditioner can help keep the material supple.
It is better to apply a thin layer several times than a huge amount at once.
Then gently polish it with a soft cloth. You will often see an immediate difference.
This is exactly what you shouldn’t do.
Don’t immediately reach for the most aggressive cleaning product in your cupboard for a stain.
Bleach, strong all-purpose cleaners, and other aggressive agents can damage the protective layer or color of leather. Scrubbing hard is usually not a good idea either.
And perhaps even more importantly: don’t just throw a leather jacket or bag in the washing machine.
The leather may come out hard, deformed, or damaged.
This way, your leather items will last for years.
The secret to beautiful leather turns out to be surprisingly simple: clean it carefully, do not get it too wet, and care for the material regularly.
That applies to your favorite leather jacket, but just as much to that expensive sofa, shoes, or bag.
So before you write off a leather product because it looks a bit dull or dirty, try cleaning it gently first. The difference might be greater than you expect.
