Leather Care

How To Clean & Condition Full Grain Leather Product

Cleaning Leather

Thorough cleaning of leather products should be done infrequently. In most cases, wiping the leather with a damp cloth or a horsehair brush is all that’s required to return the natural luster of the leather.

When more is needed, a leather cleaner may be used to remove grease, excess polish, or the occasional ground-in dirt. It’s a common misconception that frequent applications of shoe polish will keep the leather looking new. Unfortunately, layers of polish will build-up over time and prevent the leather from breathing. Eventually, the leather will dry-out and crack.

The most effective consumer leather cleaners contain surfactants that extract dust and grime from the surface of the leather. Alternatively, leather cleaners that are rated pH-neutral are often quite effective. Ordinary hand soaps or saddle soaps often do more harm than good.

How to Clean Leather

• Start by wiping the leather with a clean damp soft cloth.
• Once the leather is dry, apply a dime-sized portion of leather cleaner to a clean dry cloth.
• Wipe the surface in a gentle circular motion, allowing the leather to absorb the cleaner.

Conditioning Leather

On the rare occasion that cleaning the leather isn’t enough, applying a leather conditioner is often a good next step. Leather, especially older leather, has a tendency to dry-out and crack over time. A conditioner keeps the surface soft and supple by reintroducing natural moisturizers into the leather.

Mink oil, leather honey, and neatsfoot oil stimulate the natural oils of the leather. These are common conditioners used to add moisture, color, and a layer of protection to the leather.

How to Condition Leather

• Add a quarter-sized portion of conditioner to a soft cloth.
• Gently rub the conditioner all over the leather.
• Let the conditioner rest on the leather until it begins to congeal.
• Once tacky, remove the excess conditioner with a dry cloth.

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