Leather care when it wet.
Damp leather needs to be treated while it is still wet: it should not be allowed to dry out. Applying leather conditioner to the damp leather enables the product to seep through the pores and into the spaces left by the evaporating water. This will help to lubricate the leather and replace the oils. If the leather is left to dry first, the leather conditioner will not be able to penetrate the pores and this could result in the leather cracking.
Leather will be stained by water, especially rain. The extent to which it stains will depend on the type of leather and its finish. Stains can be removed by rubbing the spot with a clean, damp sponge. Please never use any drier to speed up the process and please use conditioner before leather get dried.
Also please keep in mind that wet leather shrinks when it dries because the water displaces the natural oils and leaves the leather fibers exposed to the air. That is one more reason to treat wet leather before it gets dry.
Leather may peel.
Leather may peel because it has become dry as a consequence of the absence of its natural oils. The lower the grade of leather, the more likely it is to peel. Even with careful treatment, bonded leather will eventually peel, whilst full grain leather, with proper care, will last a lifetime.
Leather may smells bad.
Leather is a porous, natural material and consequently it can absorb different smells. There are a number of ways to deal with this problem. If the item is small enough, it can be packed in newspaper, which is porous and will absorb the smell. Cleaning with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water will also work but may leave an undesirable vinegar smell. (You should always test on a small inconspicuous area first before applying all over). Once again, if the item is small enough, the leather can be sprinkled with baking soda, placed in a sealed container and left for twenty four hours. After its removal, it should be cleaned with a dry cloth. Professional products can also be used, or you can have the product professionally cleaned.
Leather may get white marks.
White marks occur on leather either because of water damage, damp or because of salt staining caused by perspiration or sea water. They can be removed by applying leather conditioner to item.
Leather may crack.
Leather is porous and consequently is prone to absorbing water, oil and dirt, as, over time, this breaks down, it can cause cracks to the surface. Regular cleaning and conditioning will remove the dirt and oil from the surface and keep the leather supple. Leather should be treated with respect and the cleaner you can keep it, the longer it will last.
Leather may get sticky.
Sticky deposits on leather should be attended to as quickly as possible. Dab immediately with a clean cloth, don’t wipe, this will only make matters worse. Use a leather cleaner appropriate to the type of leather you are treating, always remembering to conduct a patch test first on an unobtrusive part of the leather. Apply the cleaner lightly and remove any surplus with a clean, dry cloth. Allow the leather to dry naturally and then condition.
Treatments can help make leather more durable.
Full grain leather is made from the strongest part of the animal hide and therefore makes the most durable and most water-resistant form of leather. However, like other leathers it should also be treated with professional treatments to improve its durability.
The majority of our Hedonist Chicago products is made from full grain leather and therefore has a certain level of natural durability. However, you may wish to improve this further, and for this we would recommend using a wax based natural product.
Please feel always free to contact our Customer Service Team with any questions about leather care. We shall be happy to share all and every our skill with you.
Please note: It is advised that you always patch test a new leather care product on an inconspicuous area of the leather first, before applying it all over, as some products may alter the color of the leather in a way you are not happy with.