How does one clean cowhide leather?
December 7, 2009 by admin
Filed under Green Cleaning Tips
I have a green bag which I really like but after occasional use over the past few years, it’s now a bit dirty and I’d like to clean it up but I don’t want to just put it in the washing machine cz it might ruin the whole thing. Any tips? Thanks!
If you regularly clean and protect your handbag it will last you a lot longer than if you don’t.
The following will be perfectly safe as long as the leather is not suede or nubuck.
You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner.
DO NOT use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones. (Most ‘conditioners’ contain waxes or oils) and furniture type polish contains silicones
BABY WIPES are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkiline cleaners to neutralise urine (acid) on babys skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.
Saddle soap is too harsh to use on a leather handbag.
A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it.
Fairy liquid contains more salt these days to get dishes clean and this will break the finish down on your leather. This has been verified by the manufacturers (as with the baby wipes).
You should also follow cleaning with a good water based leather protector which will act like a ’scotchgard’ and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.
Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. Wiping over with a damp cloth regularly will help to do this.
It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of dirt and oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this.
The alternative is a brand new product on the market called Lazy Leather. This is the latest technology in cleaning and combines an effective cleaner with a protector. It is quick and easy to use and should be used as a maintenance product once your bag has been cleaned or from new if you have just bought it.
Source(s):
www.LTTsolutions.net
Leather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries
saddle soap.
then neatsfoot oil for a conditioner
References :
Saddle soap.
References :
If you regularly clean and protect your handbag it will last you a lot longer than if you don’t.
The following will be perfectly safe as long as the leather is not suede or nubuck.
You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner.
DO NOT use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones. (Most ‘conditioners’ contain waxes or oils) and furniture type polish contains silicones
BABY WIPES are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkiline cleaners to neutralise urine (acid) on babys skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.
Saddle soap is too harsh to use on a leather handbag.
A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it.
Fairy liquid contains more salt these days to get dishes clean and this will break the finish down on your leather. This has been verified by the manufacturers (as with the baby wipes).
You should also follow cleaning with a good water based leather protector which will act like a ’scotchgard’ and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.
Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. Wiping over with a damp cloth regularly will help to do this.
It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of dirt and oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this.
The alternative is a brand new product on the market called Lazy Leather. This is the latest technology in cleaning and combines an effective cleaner with a protector. It is quick and easy to use and should be used as a maintenance product once your bag has been cleaned or from new if you have just bought it.
Source(s):
http://www.LTTsolutions.net
Leather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries
References :