From ink stains on a wallet to frayed edges on a leather belt and mold on leather gloves: ten maintenance techniques you can use right away to solve common leather troubles.
When pen ink gets on leather, it has worked its way into the fibers. An eraser is the tool for removing it. Be sure to use a clean eraser with no dirt on it. The trick is to press a corner lightly against the stain and rub back and forth. Don't forget to lay a cloth underneath so the wallet doesn't slide around and scratch its underside.
Scuffs stand out on dark leather goods. When you can't quite accept them as part of the character, shoe polish can help. Wipe the surface with a dry cloth to remove dirt, then work the polish in against the direction of the scratch. A final dry wipe will conceal the mark. However, shoe polish can rub off on clothing, and it forcibly fills and hardens over the scratch, so treat it as strictly a last resort.
If you spill a drink or food on leather clothing, rubbing in a panic can cause a stain. The key is to blot the mess away by pressing it with something highly absorbent, such as a towel or tissue.
Whether brushing for everyday care or applying cream to moisturize, the golden rule is to work along the scales. Rubbing against them would damage the very scales that make exotic leather so appealing. Also, when applying cream, take care that it doesn't get into the gaps between the scales and harden.
Wearing a garment not only settles its shape; contact with body heat and outside air also releases moisture the leather has absorbed during storage. Even in the off-season, ideally put it on about once every two weeks.
Mold is the enemy of leather gloves: maintain smooth leather by wiping with a dry cloth, and napped leather by brushing. To remove stubborn mold lodged in the seams, scrape it out with an old toothbrush. During long-term storage, it's also important to air them in the shade once during the rainy season.
It's best to avoid soaking leather gloves, but if they have stubborn dirt that just won't come off, wash them with a mild detergent. The key point here is to wash them while wearing them. Wash thoroughly, right down between the fingers, as if you were washing your own hands.
The more you love and wear a leather belt, the more its edges start to fray. As fraying progresses it can soil your clothes, so proper maintenance matters. Commercially available clear varnish is handy for edge care. Put a small amount on a sponge wrapped in gauze, hold the belt vertically, and stroke the edge two or three times.
Many people may simply drop their leather belts on the closet floor after wearing them. Yet how you store a belt can make a big difference to its lifespan. Simply hang each belt on its own hanger, so give it a try right away.
Items made from napped leather are very popular, but they have the drawback of easily picking up dust and dirt. Brushing is the basic care when they get dirty, and always be careful to brush gently in the direction of the nap.
