How to Care for Leather Apparel

Professional leather cleaning is recommended when needed, depending upon the wear and care you give your garment. Essential oils are removed during cleaning and can be restored ONLY by a professional leather cleaner. It should be noted that because the tanning process cannot be duplicated, the cleaner must use a different method to restore the garment. This may cause the color and texture of the garment to vary slightly from its original appearance. For this reason, it is important to clean matching garments at the same time. The LAA provides listings of accredited cleaners across the United States.

• Leather ages gracefully and can last a lifetime with the proper care right from the start.
• Always hang leather garments on wide or padded hangers to maintain their shape. Use shoetrees in footwear and stuff empty handbags with tissue to help retain their shape.
• Never store leather goods in plastic or other non-breathable covers. This will cause leather to become dry.
• Allow wet or damp leather to air-dry naturally away from any direct heat source. Leather can be treated with a conditioner to restore flexibility while suede can be brushed with a terry towel to restore its look.
• In winter, promptly remove salt deposits from garments and footwear by sponging with clear water; follow with the above treatment for wet or damp leather.
• Avoid very humid and dry environments as well as direct sunlight.
• Do not use waxes, silicone products or other leather preparations that will impair a garments' ability to breathe.
• Wrinkles should hang out. If ironing is desired, set iron on rayon setting, use heavy brown wrapping paper as a pressing cloth on right side of the garment and a quick hand to prevent overheating and shine.
• Avoid spraying perfumes or hair sprays while wearing your garment and do not apply pins, adhesive badges or tape. Wearing a scarf at the neckline will help keep hair and body oil away from the collar.
• Hems may be fixed with a tiny amount of rubber cement. For best results, see a leather care professional.
• All products formulated for at-home use should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the garment.
• Metallic leather garments should be professionally dry cleaned.

The Leather Apparel Association
4705 Center Blvd., Suite 806
Long Island City, NY 11109
Tel: 718.606.0767
Fax: 718.606.6345
Email: mbehar@leatherapparelassociation.com