Annual Southern Gentleman Issue
It’s no surprise that leather has stood the test of time when it comes to sartorial selections. Durable, sturdy, and stylish, it’s been a preferred choice for clothing, shoes, and accessories for thousands of years. However, if you want leather goods to truly last, they need to be treated with care. Read on to find out what your leather product needs to stay in good condition for years to come.
Regularly polishing your leather will keep it neat and shiny, but you should know that polish is primarily an aesthetic treatment – and often will do little to protect the leather from the elements. Outside of dress shoes and some briefcases, most of your leather products won’t need regular polishing.
Leather conditioner or cream is one of the most important treatments when maintaining the quality of your leather product. Conditioner moisturizes the leather, which prevents it from getting too dry and cracking. Conditioning an item every six to 12 months is recommended, or every three if you live in a dry climate.
Waterproofing sprays or waxes create a water-repellant coating on your leather, and these treatments usually only need to be applied once a year. Waxes are considered the most durable, and sprays might need to be reapplied several times over the course of a particularly wet or snowy season.
A simple damp cloth is the way to go for no-fuss maintenance. Wiping down the leather once a week to get rid of dirt and dust is one of the best methods for preventing premature wear and tear.
If your leather product is suede, avoid all of the aforementioned products and regularly go over it with a wire or suede-specific brush instead. With suede, it’s best to avoid water as much as possible.
To prevent rot or mildew, store your leather item in breathable fabrics instead of plastic bags or boxes.
Heat can rapidly dry out the leather, and sunlight can cause premature fading.
You never know how your leather will react to a new treatment, so test it on a small patch of the product and let it sit for 24 hours first before treating the entire thing.
Most polishes come in black and shades of brown, so choosing a neutral hue for your product will make maintenance more convenient.
Anything with a pointed or sharp edge can create scratches on leather that might be difficult to buff out.
