Leather is one of the most popular materials worldwide. It traces its history back to the centuries and is a winner regarding sturdiness and class.
If you are a sucker for quality products worth their price tags, you should consider adding some leather products to your collection. Keep reading to discover how you can shop for leather goods and later care for them.
Let’s begin!
Leather Buying Guide
Leather Types
With the knowledge about the types of leather, you can make a worthy purchase. Some kinds of leather available in the market are:
- Calfskin
- Sheepskin
- Shell Cordovan
- Vegetable Tanned
- Chrome Tanned
- Faux/Vegan Leather
- PU/BiCast Leather
It is important to understand the qualities of each leather type and the things made from them. This will enable you to choose your next leather purchase.
Leather Qualities
Leather quality is determined by the grade assigned to it. These variations can impact the performance and quality of leather products. Some common qualities of leather you can find in the market include:
- Full Grain Leather
- Top Grain Leather
- Genuine Leather
- Bonded Leather
- Split Grain Leather
Once you understand the qualities of leather and how they are produced, you can choose the products you want and how you should care for them.
Leather Thickness
Leather thickness is measured with gauges in multiple units worldwide. These refer to the leather by its thickness and weight. Leather hides are a natural substance, so their thickness across the entire width of a hide may be different. For instance, leather thickness for a single piece is often stated in ranges such as 2 – 3 oz or 2 mm – 2.4 mm.
The difference in thickness also differs due to the tanning process. It ranges from the chemical procedures to the drying or finishing performed. This thickness is also affected by how the hides are split.
After you understand all the traits of leather and the differences in size and quality, you can figure out the kind of product you want. This selection will also enable you to figure out a future caring procedure for leather goods.
Care for Your Leather Goods
Leather is one of the unique materials with the potential to last a lifetime. It is also a material that takes your fashion game up a notch every season. However, it is only possible when the user manages to take good care of the leather products. Some measures you should take to clean and care for your leather goods are:
1.Condition it not-so-regularly
You can get a leather conditioner to give your leather products a decent finish. Know that the leather which requires finishing may feel dry to touch and less supple than it felt initially. It is also important to note that the conditioner will darken the leather, so you should test it at a minor spot if you wish to see how your leather product will appear after full application.
2. Use it more often
It may sound absurd as most things tend to last longer when kept safely. This is not the case with leather. When you use your leather products more often, they acquire a unique and natural patina. Quality leather will withstand daily wear and tear.
The first scratch on leather will be painful, but a good leather product looks more fabulous the more you use it.
3. Waterproof it well
If your location experiences frequent rain, you may consider applying a waterproof spray on your leather goods. Some products are more vulnerable to damage, such as leather bags for girls. If water penetrates the bag, it may harm its contents.
You can dry a leather bag using its handles if you get stuck in a rainy situation. Once the leather is dry and you need to go out again, you should apply the waterproof solution first.
4. Let it gain a patina
Patina tells the age of your leather. The full-grain leather may show scratches and wear. Don’t panic when you find them on your leather products as they speak of leather’s quality. Each piece of leather will acquire a patina unique to its usage and how you carry your accessories.
5. Don’t use harsh products
You may feel tempted to prolong the life of your leather by using certain products. Remember, keeping it real is the key to extending leather’s life. Using harsh and stubborn solutions to give your leather product a squeaky clean punch will be a mistake. Accidents may happen, and your leather product may get unfortunate stains, like those from ink or oil. If you use a cleaning product that is not designed for full-grain leather, it may damage the leather even more.
You should seek professional assistance to understand how to remove aggressive stains from your leather goods.
6. Be gentle while cleaning
You should clean your leather products gently and softly. Full-grain leather goods will stay with you for a lifetime, but keeping them in their original shape means cleaning them with formulas that cater to leather. Check online to find a gentle leather cleaner that requires less scrubbing.
7. Send it for professional cleaning
You will be surprised by the appearance of your leather jacket or a bag after it returns from the professional leather cleaners. Tons of shops offer repair and restoration services for leather products. And some of these shops will even go an extra mile to provide surplus services such as fixing the zipper, changing the color of your leather goods, etc.
Parting Thoughts
Leather is a product that is always in the fashion game. The best part is that you don’t need to accessorize it much. The material itself is rich enough to give a quality appearance. To get your hands on the right leather product, you must understand its different qualities and product ranges. Next, you should ensure that you care for the products well.
A well-cared leather good will last you a lifetime. And the benefits it brings are insurmountable. Do you think you know enough to shop and care for your next leather good? Let us know!
