Proper Care of Full Grain Leather

Care of leather has always been a timewhenever possible. Leather was once living skin
consuming and lets face it - a boring task. Andand like our skin it needs nourishment from the
although many think that new leather does notinside out, or from the underside up. Apply as
require much effort, they are soon to realize theirmuch oil or nourishment product as the leather is
mistake a year down the line when the leather iswilling to absorb in the first two applications. New
almost irreparably damaged and torn.leather needs great care and oiling, so let it have
Truth is no leather needs more care than newsomething healthy to protect itself, rather than to
leather. Although new and supple leatherabsorb water or possibly other fluids that may be
(sometimes stiff depending on the product)spilled on it down the line.
appears healthy, the fact is that leather is theAbout six months after purchasing and regular
result of a long and complicated process. Aftercleaning, apply a protective cream that will seal
having completed the tanning and productionthe moisture into the leather. Dubbin is good for
process, "new leather" may be anything betweensports equipment and shoes, however use it
eight months to a few years old already. The onlysparingly as it has been known to damage or
time it had received any nourishment was after"eat" stitching. A good quality leather cream should
the tanning process was completed. Since then itsuffice. Once this stage of care has been reached
has been hung, cut, sewn and placed on display toyou should once a month strip the protective
be sold. This can cause the leather to lose somecoat (cream or dubbin) form the leather using
of the vital nourishment it requires to remain softneat alcohol clean the leather with a cleanser, and
and supple.then reapply the cream.
Full grain and top grain leather should be cleanedBycast leather, which is often used in the
using formulated cleaners containing lanolin. This willproduction of black leather chairs, is one of the
help put moisture and nourishment back into themore difficult leathers to care for. Due to the
leather without clogging it or producing a film on it.process used where the leather is covered with a
Avoid using creams and preservers for the firstpolyurethane layer the leather underneath is
few months as they often only seal the surfacesealed off, cleaning with a lanolin based cleanser is
of the leather not allowing it to breath. Whenthe most one could do as creams ant nourishes
applying oils and nourishing treatments, apply themwill form a film over the leather allowing them to
to the underside of the leather if ever andrub off onto clothing.