What should you not clean leather with? Many people attempt to remove ink, stains, or various types of dirt from their leather bags without knowing the right way or wrong way to do it. Cleaning leather can be very simple if all you want to do is remove dust or dirt from the product’s surface.
The first thing to remember is to use products that are specifically designed for the type of leather that you wish to clean. As a prior warning, never attempt to use a product that does not specifically state that it can be used on leather. As you might imagine, cleaning leather is totally different than cleaning fabric. Each piece of leather that was tanned and then sewn into the product that is in front of you was uniquely made.
If you were to take your leather item to a professional to have it repaired and cleaned, the item might be put through a process called knurling. That’s when a tool is used either by hand or machine to add a new texture or design to a leather item. Be aware that soaps and cleaning solutions can oftentimes ruin a leather product. Detergents are known to dry out most types of leather, and it results in the item becoming brittle and bleached-out looking.
Before attempting to clean any leather item, it’s best to prepare the leather by rehydrating it with a touch of water and oil. Do not use wax since it could dry the leather and ruin it. After you’ve adequately and correctly cleaned the soiled leather, you can dry off the moisture by using a fan or a hair dryer held about twelve inches away from the item. If you notice that the stain is still present, you could use a woman’s nail polish remover that contains acetone to remove the stubborn marks or soften the leather’s blemish.
There are mixed reviews about using saddle soap to clean a leather product. Yes, saddle soap will restore a dried-out piece of leather over time, but it’s best to test any cleaning product solution on a hidden piece of the leather before applying it to the exterior of the item.
