Rules for caring for a leather jacket at home
Genuine leather is durable. However, products made from this material are more demanding in terms of maintenance. There are different options to solve the problem of caring for your leather jacket yourself. In order to keep such a product in its original form, professional products or natural oils are used. At the same time, to achieve this result, you will also need to follow the rules for wearing a jacket.
Features of skin care
In order to preserve a leather product for a long time, the following recommendations must be observed:
- lubricate the product with a water-repellent composition, since the skin does not tolerate contact with water;
- dry away from direct sunlight and heat sources;
- avoid contact with strong substances (acetone, alkali and others);
- minimize contact of colored skin with sunlight;
- store products in linen bags or cardboard boxes;
- avoid mechanical damage.
If there are visible creases (creases) on the jacket, these defects can be eliminated with fine sandpaper.
To remove traces of dirt from a leather product, it is recommended to use a soapy solution. After 30 minutes after this procedure, you need to wipe the jacket again with a cotton swab or a damp cloth. Lemon juice can be used to remove traces of a ballpoint pen.
Fund overview
For the care of leather products, mainly professional products are used. However, in some cases, more affordable products like paraffin or glycerin help restore the condition of the jacket. For the processing of artificial leather, it is recommended to take more fatty products.
Professional remedies
Professional skin care products are considered more preferable, as they contain the necessary substances to keep the material intact.
Means for water resistance
Water repellent sprays are necessary if the leather product is stored in a damp room or worn in damp weather. These products include products that include:
- natural fat;
- wax;
- acrylic;
- silicone.
To protect it from humidity, spray the jacket every 2-3 months.
air conditioners
Conditioners are used to restore the fat balance, reducing the risk of cracking and increasing the durability of the jacket. Such funds are recommended for use in cases where the leather product has lost its previous elasticity. With private processing, the structure of the material changes.
Polishing
Varnishes are used to restore the previous shine. But, as with the other products described, this product cannot be applied permanently. In private use, the polish accelerates the wear of the leather.
Stain removers
To remove stains, use creams, gels or sprays. These products can be used at any time. Among the stain removers, the Salamander, Ecco and Salton brands stand out, which provide a pronounced and long-lasting effect.
Natural oils
To soften the skin, use sea buckthorn, castor, sunflower, burdock or olive oil. These tools are recommended to process the jacket as needed. To achieve this effect, you will need to apply no more than 2-3 drops (sunflower - 1 drop) of oil to the problem area, squeeze for 2-3 hours and remove excess.
Glycerol
Glycerin is used to prevent damage and restore leather products. This substance should be used to treat the jacket. Then you have to wait 1-2 hours, after which the product is wearable. After application, glycerin leaves no greasy stains.
body cream
For the treatment of leather jackets, nourishing or moisturizing creams are used. This product is applied to the product with a soft sponge. The jacket should then be left in place for at least 12 hours. Body creams are used to remove traces of paint or coffee, and to improve the appearance of the product.
beeswax ointment
This product regenerates and nourishes the skin. The ointment must first be melted in a water bath and mixed with a small amount of turpentine. Then, with the resulting composition, you need to process the problem areas of the jacket. Thanks to this mixture, the skin becomes softer and the spots after precipitation disappear.
Paraffin
Paraffin makes the skin more elastic. In this case, after processing, the jacket acquires a matte shade.
goose grease
This option is rarely used, however, after treatment with goose fat, the effect is much better. This tool is used to remove scratches, including on old leather goods. Along the way, goose fat softens the material. After processing the jacket with this tool, you need to leave the product overnight and wipe it off with a cotton cloth in the morning.
Office chalk and potato starch
Chalk or starch should be diluted with water to a pasty consistency. Then the resulting composition should be evenly distributed over the surface, left for half an hour and rinsed with water. At the end, the skin should be wiped off and treated with glycerin.
This option is used when it is necessary to clean, whiten and soften the material.
Turpentine and cow's milk
To remove greasy stains and dirt, restore the previous color and soften the material, it is recommended to use a mixture of warmed milk and a small amount of turpentine.
Maintenance Features
Due to the fact that leather jackets do not tolerate contact with water and high temperatures, it is recommended to clean such products with a soap solution, which is applied to the item with a foam sponge.
General prevention
To extend the life of these items, it is recommended that these items be treated with nutritional formulations monthly. If the jacket is made of artificial leather, the procedure should be carried out every 2-3 weeks.
Small scratches
To remove small scratches, use natural oils, glycerine or professional products. But the best choice is beeswax, which glues the skin together.
deep pleats
Goose fat helps to deal with the problem of deep folds.If this remedy is not available, olive or sunflower oil can be used to correct this defect. In addition, a high-fat body cream helps to get rid of wrinkles.
scrapes
It is impossible to completely eliminate such a defect. Therefore, in the fight against abrasions, the described means are used to improve the condition of the skin.
dark flowering
A dark plaque appears due to old spots that the body cream helps remove.
Shabby and faded look
Glycerin, burdock and castor oil help get rid of this defect. It is recommended to process the jacket with these means 2-3 times, after which you need to take a break for a week. Repeat the procedure if necessary.
What can't we do?
Leather jackets should not be dried on batteries or in close proximity to heat sources. In this case, the material quickly cracks. In addition, you should not keep the product in direct sunlight for a long time, store it in plastic bags and machine wash it.
How to properly store at home
You can store jackets in regular closets. But if the product has not been used for several months, the item should be placed in a cardboard box or linen bag. At the same time, you cannot fold the jacket, otherwise scuffs will appear.
Drying rules
Dry the product in a well-ventilated room or outdoors, out of direct sunlight. After washing, the jacket should be treated with leather conditioner. The product should hang on a hanger, allowing water to drain from the liner.
Tips & Tricks
After cleaning the leather jacket with gloves, it is not recommended to use an iron. This will melt the material.
Use a double boiler or double boiler to flatten the jacket.