Leathercare

Brief History

Preserved decorative leather products have been found that date back to around 1300 B.C. However, the Chinese are thought to have used leather in ornaments and decorative pieces even earlier. Eventually, Morocco became the leader in leather craftsmanship, handing their secrets of working the leather down from generation to generation. With the Moroccan influence, Spaniards also became excellent at using leather for decorative purposes. Each of these cultures had their own techniques for tanning, curing, stamping, and carving the leather. Native Americans used these techniques to create more practical leather products such as moccasins, tents, and tomahawks. Early American colonists learned the utility of leather from the Native Americans and created useful products such as saddles, door covers, clothing, and buckets. Today, leather has more uses than you can possibly imagine. Leather represents quality, durability, and, in many instances, leather will make something a luxury item.

Tanning the Leather

The animal skin is referred to as a pelt or hide. When an animal dies, the pelt begins to rapidly decompose. The tanning process stops this from happening. First the pelt must be cured by soaking it in a salt (sodium chloride) solution. Most bacteria responsible for decomposition cannot live in this environment and keeps the pelt from rotting. The pelt is then soaked in water containing wetting agents to restore the moisture. The pelt's pH (a measure of the amount of acid or base present) is adjusted to neutral and treated with ammonium chloride. The pelts are then transferred to a acidic solution to lower the pH so that the tanning process can occur. Chemical used for this pickling process are salt and sulfuric acid. Once the pelt reaches acidic pH, it is ready for the actual tanning to begin. Chrome tanning is the most common method and is done by soaking the pelt in a solution of chromium sulfate. Leather tanned by this method is nearly water-proof and stretchable. After leather has been completely tanned it can be colored, molded, stretched, and worked into many shapes and sizes.

Leather Care

To keep a fine leather product looking new and lustrous, it should be properly cared for. Because leather is the skin from an animal, it contains pores that can trap dirt and grime. Over a period of time, these small particles can rub and grind away at the leathers natural protective covering. Eventually, they could get into the fibers of the leather and cause to split or crack. A regular cleaning with a soft brush or dry cloth is essential for preserving the life of your leather goods. After considerable use or after a leather product has gotten muddy or extremely dirty, it should be thoroughly cleaned down to its pores. Most products can be taken to a dry-cleaners. However, it's easy and much cheaper to clean it by hand.

Many cleansing products are available, but saddle soaps seams to work just as good as any other. Following the directions on the can, use a damp cloth to work the soap into a lather on the leather. Once the entire product has been lathered up, immediately wipe it dry. Let the leather dry slowly. After it is dry it can be buffed with a soft dry cloth. (Note: saddle soap should not be used to clean suede leather.)

After a deep cleaning, a leather product should then be conditioned to replenish the lost emollients. Again, there are many products available but their basic premise is the same. Add moisture to leather to seal it and keep it from drying. A good product to use is plain old Neats Foot Oil. Dampen a cloth with the oil and rub it evenly into the product in a circular motion. When the surface has been fully treated, let it dry and allow the oil to sink into the leather. After it has dried, wipe it with a soft cloth to remove excess oil. Remember, only condition leather after it has been cleaned or it will seal in the dirt and grime. Never use conditioners not formulated for use on leather.

Leather products made of animals such as crocodiles, snakes, lizards, and turtles are different from ones made of cow skin. These animals have special membranes that keep the scales together. Because of these special membranes, the leather products should be cleaned and conditioned more frequently than products made of other animals. However the procedures are the same. For suede, the product should be brushed with a stiff brush after every use. If you have a dirty area not produced by a stain, rub it with an artgum eraser. For a stain, use a product specifically designed for suede. Usually, these are spray-on products designed to loosen the stain and then brushed away.

Take care of your leather. Always keep it in a clean dry place. It will continue to look new and you will enjoy it for a long, long, long time.

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