Leatherrrrrrr
Ahhh….leather.
We all love it. The sure feel of a leather-covered steering wheel,
the confidence of wearing a stylish leather jacket, the sexy look
of a leather mini-skirt, the comfort of a sheepskin vest, the caress
of soft suede gloves, the power of studded motorcycle saddle-bags,
the delicious feeling of a crotch-less leather….Ooops, got a little
carried away there!!
This year's
fall & winter fashion statement, leather is turning up everywhere.
How do we take care of our not-so-cheap purchases? We at Howtocleananything.com
thought you'd like a brief primer about the types of leather out
there and, more importantly, how to take care of your investment.
Let's start
out with the 4 basic types of leather:
1) Cowhide
- Very strong & durable; used mostly for foot-ware & bags.
2) Calfskin
- Lightweight with a pebbly grain; most common type for all sorts
of clothing.
3) Lambskin
- Also lightweight, with a pliant, soft feel; 30% to 50% more expensive
than regular leather; often has wool still attached; skin is rougher
and more pebbly.
4) Suede
- The underside of the hide; buff finish; most supple of all skins.
Now, these are the different finishes commonly found on many garments
(with basic cleaning instructions):
1) Distressed
- Uneven surface coloration to make it appear weathered; garments
look better as they age; wipe with a lightly dampened rag.
2) Embossed
- A print is heat pressed onto the surface (usually alligator or
snake); can be cow or sheep skin; often with a patent finish; dry
clean only.
3) Glazed
- Polished using heated rollers; stiff with a nice luster; gently
wipe with a damp cloth.
4) Metallic
- Sprayed on coating often with foil; shiny delicate surface; light
soiling can be gently wiped with a damp chamois; for further cleaning
use a professional.
5) Patent
- Another sprayed on finish; very tough, high shine, easily repels
dirt & moisture; use a damp cloth (with a tiny bit of mild detergent
if needed) to wipe clean.
6) Pearlized
- A light sprayed-on finish often found on beige or white skins;
pearly, shiny look; a delicate surface that only can stand a very
light damp chamois; otherwise take it to a professional.
Finally,
here are some general guidelines about leather care;
· Use a
leather protective spray. Put it on before you use the article.
Follow the instructions - be sure to test it an inconspicuous area.
· Hang leather
garments on the proper instruments: padded & wide hangers, wood
pants presses, ribbon loops to cinch at the waist.
· If the
garment is wet, blot dry & hang on a padded hanger at room temperature.
· Never,
ever, store leather clothes inside plastic bags or wrapping.
· Be very
cautious when ironing any leather article. If needed, use a low
heat setting, no steam and put a brown paper bag under the iron.
Only go over each area for a few seconds.
· If you
are ever in doubt as to how to clean a leather garment, ALWAYS consult
with an expert.
Hopefully,
you now, don't have to have a cow, over your leather goods. Don't
be sheepish about how to care for your jackets & coats. We hope
this article steers you in the right direction. Per-suede all your
friends to heed our advice. Stop my hide-ous comments….
Nadine Schick.
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