Cleaning Leather and Suede

Tackling the Tough Task of Cleaning Leather and Suede
Leather and suede garments can look great – there is no question about that. However, when it comes time to have them cleaned, owning these types of items can become a bit more complicated. Leather and suede certainly can’t be tossed in with the rest of your regular laundry, but they do need to be cared for if the garments are going to look and feel great for many years to come. Knowing how to properly clean all of the leather and suede items in your wardrobe is key to their long-term protection.
How often should they be cleaned?
The first question to deal with is exactly how often you need to clean leather or suede items. Unlike regular items like t-shirts which are likely washed after every wear, cleaning leather and suede is not a frequent occurrence. As a general guideline, you should try to have these items cleaned once a year. Of course, if you wear a particular piece of leather (such as a jacket) rather frequently, you will probably need to have it cleaned more often – perhaps once every few months. Keep an eye on all of your leather and suede pieces and have them cleaned if you start to notice signs of wear developing around the garment.
Tips for Wearing
There is only so much that cleaning a leather or suede garment can do for you – so it is important to care for these garments correctly while you are wearing them. The most important tip that you can receive regarding leather is that you want to keep it dry when at all possible. Unless you own a weatherproof piece, you will be wise to keep your leather garments out of the rain because that moisture can severely damage the product. If your leather does get wet for some reason, allow it to dry without exposing it directly to heat. Also, the oils and sweat from your body can be damaging to your leather items, so try to avoid direct contact with your skin.
Tips for Storing
Mildew can form on leather if it isn’t allowed to breathe while in storage, so plastic is out. Find a place to store your leather or suede items where they will be allowed to breathe, such as inside a fabric bag or tucked away in a suitcase that isn’t sealed tightly. Leather doesn’t do well with heat, either, so don’t store these items in a warm place such as next to your clothes dryer.
When it does come time to have your leather or suede cleaned, take these items in to a professional to have the work done right. Trying to clean leather on your own is simply asking for trouble, especially when experienced hands like those at Prestige Cleaners are ready to do the work for you. We offer leather cleaning along with other services such as tailoring, hand finished shirt laundry, wedding gown preservation, and more. Stop by today to learn more about what our helpful staff can do for your wardrobe!