Leather, the oldest materials known to man, is animal skin which, by the process known as tanning, is transformed into such things as garments, shoes, furniture and dozens of other everyday articles. Its scent, appearance and texture combine to make it a unique material. Since it is unlike any other type of material, proper care is essential.
The benefits of leather
Leather is an extremely versatile material. It is warm is the winter and cool in the summer. Leather’s excellent insulation characteristics allow both ventilation and evaporation to take place. There is almost no other clothing material that will provide the service and durability of genuine leather. Leather’s well known aging qualities enhance its popularity and value. Whether from disease or injury, scarring in the skin imparts a unique natural beauty inherent to genuine leather garments.
The difference between suede & leather:
Smooth leather or grain leather refers to the top outer layer of the animal’s skin. The only difference between suede and leather is the finish that is applied to the skin. The most common types of hides used in garment manufacturing are lamb, cow and pig.
Nubuck is created by lightly buffing the top grain until it takes on a very fine nap that appears smoother than suede.
Suede is generally the underside of the hide buffed to a smooth finish. Suede may also be split from a thick hide. The top surface of the new layer looks like suede but is not as soft.
Routine Care:
Smooth leather - Use a soft, water dampened sponge or cloth to remove surface dirt or stains.
Suede or nubuck leather - Brush regularly to keep dust and dirt from settling in the nap and to maintain its velvety look. Use a brush or block designed for suede and nubuck available at your leather retailer. Never use a wire bristle brush.
• Wear a scarf to protect the collar area from perspiration and body oils
• Avoid spraying perfume or hair spray while wearing leather or suede
• Avoid the use of pins and broaches as they will make permanent holes in leather and suede
• Never apply tape or adhesive stickers (such as name tags) to leather or suede, as the glue will permanently damage the skin.
Storage
One of the many benefits of leather is that it doesn't’t easily wrinkle if stored properly. Leather is a great choice for extended wear or travel. Suggestions to keep your garment wrinkle free:
• Store garment on a broad hanger, not wire, to maintain its shape.
• Some garments have a chain loop at the collar. Do not use this as a hanger. The weight of the garment and contents in the pockets may be too heavy and result in a tear.
• Never store in plastic because leather is a skin which needs to breathe.
• Store leather in a cool, dry place. Leather can mildew if stored in a hot, humid environment.
• Do not store leather near a direct source of light If wrinkles occur due to improper storage, simply hang garment and brush nap (if suede or nubuck). Most wrinkles should hang out.
Wrinkles occurring naturally in the skin are the defining characteristics that distinguish leather from man-made materials and cannot be removed. If ironing is necessary, contact Leather Craft for further information.
How to Remove Crease from leather:
After being stored in our warehouse for periods of time or during shipping, sometimes skins slightly wrinkle. These wrinkles in no way harm the skin and can be easily removed. In most cases, you can remove these wrinkles by simply using your hand and straightening out the skin. For more major wrinkles, you can use a household iron to straighten out the skin. This is done by preheating the iron between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Then place a damp cloth over the skin and carefully iron the cloth. This process indirectly heats the skin without actually damaging or burning it. To be safe, try this procedure on a small corner before you continue with the rest of the skin.
Care When Wet
If the garment gets wet, remove all items from pockets, hang on a sturdy, padded hanger, and let air dry naturally away from heat. When dry, brush suede and nubuck items to lift the nap.
Stains
If staining occurs, it is recommended that you take your garment to Leather Craft for professional care as soon as possible. Although there are numerous care products available commercially, most will only be effective in removing minor marks. Ink and protein stains such as blood, oil, egg and milk are difficult to remove from leather, and require professional care. If you decide to purchase a product from your leather retailer remember to follow the instructions exactly. When a spill occurs you may want to try one of the following to help prevent the stain from settling:
Stains on smooth leather - blot the area with a cloth dampened with water.
Stains on suede or nubuck leather - blot the area with a cloth dampened with water. If the stain is oil based, you may sprinkle the area with baby powder or chalk shavings to try and absorb the excess oils. Do not rub. Let the garment sit overnight. Shake powder off and gently brush nap with a suede brush.
Signs that leather needs cleaning- Professional leather cleaning is recommended when needed, depending upon the wear and care you give your garment.
• Ground-in-dirt appears around collar, cuffs or pocket areas
• Stains occur
• Color looks faded
FULL or PURE ANILINE
It is generally accepted that only five percent of the world’s hide supply is of high enough quality for pure aniline upholstery furniture. Aniline dyeing is the process of soaking the skins in transparent aniline dyes, which color or shade the skins without obscuring the natural markings or grain character of the leather. The hides are dyed all the way through, with no pigmented topcoat.
SEMI-ANILINE or ANILINE-PLUS
These are terms that define a supplemental step beyond aniline dyeing, which adds a top coating of highly dispersed pigments and dyes to the surface of aniline-dyed hides. By dyeing the leather throughout before the final surface coating, a very even coloration can be achieved with only a thin layer of finish, and the leather remains softer.
