Leather coats can be expensive, and they deserve excellent care to make sure you are wearing your signature style for years into the future. Depending on use, with preventative maintenance and proper care, your leather coat can last indefinitely.
By Jessica Anning
Once you have purchased the perfect leather coat, you want to keep it looking great for seasons to come. Leather coats can be expensive, and the investment deserves a great deal of care to make sure you are wearing your signature style for years into the future. Depending on use, with preventative maintenance and proper care, your leather coat can last indefinitely.
A few simple tips can help you maintain your leather coat.
First, always hang leather coats on wide, padded hangers to ensure that you don't stretch or puncture corners or shoulders.
When storing your leather coat over the summer months, avoid keeping it in a plastic bag or other non-porous cover, because leather is best preserved if it can 'breathe.' If clothing must be stored in a garment bag, keep it open for ventilation or choose a natural fabric garment bag. Place in a cool, dry closet to store, not in any area with excess moisture.
Always allow wet or damp leather to air dry naturally away from any source of heat, to avoid mildew build up or scorching from a heat source. To prevent mildew, never store your leather coat in an area with excessive humidity.
In a dry environment like the western states, regularly condition your leather coat to prevent drying and cracking. Apply a little leather conditioner when the leather is nearly dry to restore flexibility to your leather coat. Follow this first treatment with a full conditioning treatment after the leather has completely air dried.
To spot clean leather with soap and water, place a small amount of gentile, moisturizing soap such as Dove soap on a damp cloth and bring it to a light lather. Rub the damp cloth on the leather without putting too much water or pressure on your leather coat. Wipe away any lather with a fresh damp cloth, but don't rinse the leather in water. Next, polish the leather with a dry towel, and treat the newly cleaned leather with a leather coat conditioner after it has air dried completely.
One tip to remember when cleaning your leather coat with this method is to always test the cleaning method on a small, hidden patch of leather before proceeding to the whole item, as leather cleaning can sometimes change the color or appearance of your coat. Caution in cleaning is always the key to keeping your leather coat in good condition!
Leather coats, including traditional leather, suede, nubuck, and shearling, can absorb and retain dirt if not treated or protected. While some leather treatments should be avoided because they can damage the natural skin, if you select a quality product and spot test it on an inconspicuous part of your leather coat, a treatment for waterproofing can be helpful in increasing the wear of your leather coat.
For unfinished leather, saddle soap worked into the leather with a damp cloth or sponge works well to clean stains and spots. Wipe away any lather and allow the leather to air dry. Oil leather with a leather preservative after you have finished cleaning and the leather is completely dry.
Some high end dry cleaners also offer custom leather cleaning. It is important to consult with your dry cleaner about what you expect from leather cleaning, and whether or not the cleaner will guarantee his work. Because leather is often hard to clean, many professional cleaners will not guarantee that all spots or stains will be removed from your leather coat, so it is best to discuss expectations before you give your garment to a professional.
About the Author:
Jessica Anning runs an information site about leather coats and leather coat maintenance. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com
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