Caring for Your New Leather Items

Whether you choose a sleek leather skirt, a zipper-laden leather jacket, or a sexy pair of black leather boots, your leather deserves proper care and maintenance.

Extending Life
New leather should be treated with a product to protect and extend the life of your jacket, boots, or skirt; be sure to purchase a product made to treat the correct type of leather, whether it be traditional leather or suede. Before cleaning or treating your leather, be sure to test a small area and make sure the product doesn't negatively affect the finish. Wipe the leather clean with a damp rag and use a brush to remove the product from areas with stitching.

Best Practices
Moisture protection is one of the most crucial steps in keeping leather looking like new; allow the product to penetrate the item and dry fully before wearing. Leather outerwear, such as jackets or boots, will do well with an occasional conditioning to restore moisture.

To bring gloss back to a leather skirt, try a polishing agent and finish the process with a buff to create a shine. Removing stains from leather is challenging but also possible: stains like blood or food can be removed immediately with water. Oil or grease can be lifted from your leather jacket by sprinkling the area with ordinary blackboard chalk and letting the chalk sit for 24 hours. Use a leather care brush to remove the chalk, which will absorb the stain. Ground-in or deep stains should be taken to a professional cleaner.

Storage
Leather is a natural animal fiber and should never be stored in plastic or other synthetic storage bags because it can cause mildew or bacteria to grow on the skin, resulting in an untimely demise of boots, coats, or other women's leather items. Store leather in a cool, dry place away from heat. Garments can be stored in a breathable bag during the off-season.