Antique Care: A Brief Guide on Cleaning Leather

 You will probably agree that for collectors of leather antiques, ww2 memorabilia, or other items, their collection is their pride and joy. To preserve them, you must know how to effectively clean leather antiques whether you want them for your own collection or aim to sell militaria, antiques, or other collectibles. In this post, let’s take a look at some effective techniques for leather cleaning and stain and mildew removal. 

Regular cleaning

Like any other materials, leather must also be cleaned regularly to prevent your skin’s natural oils from penetrating and to avoid buildup of dirt and dust. All these can severely damage leather over time.

What to use:

●       Mild soap

●       Vinegar solution made using equal quantities of vinegar and water

●       Saddle soap (occasionally or it can dissolve leather)

●       Moisturizing soap

What to avoid:

●       Furniture polish

●       Wax

●       Silicones

●       Baby wipes

●       Oils

●       Ammonia and bleach-based cleaners

●       Cleaning solvents

Read all cleaning instructions carefully and search online for information on whether the product you are using reacts negatively with your specific leather antique.

Removing stains

Dust your leather antique’s surface with a feather duster, microfiber cloth, or a vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment. Removing dirt from folds, nooks, and crannies is imperative before cleaning. Any residual dirt can mix with moisture when cleaning and result in stains. 

With a slightly damp microfiber cloth and negligible quantity of mild soap, gently clean your antique using circular motions. Never rinse, dry in sunlight, or use a hair dryer for drying leather. Simply press down a clean and dry microfiber cloth to remove all remnants of moisture.

This method is ideal for watermarks and light stains. If any liquid spills on your antique, blot it dry with a microfiber cloth. Never wipe, as moisture will spread quickly and become unmanageable.

Removing impurities

For dark stains: Use equal quantities of cream of tartar and lemon juice.

For ink stains: Use a cotton swab dampened with rubbing alcohol and clean using gentle circular motions.  

For mildew and mold: Use equal quantities of rubbing alcohol and water, dampen a cloth and rub, and finally buff with a dry cloth.

Conclusion

When it comes to cleaning leather antiques and preserving them for decades to come, a gentle approach is the way to go. Over time harsh cleaning will exacerbate deterioration. Hence, when cleaning leather, be careful and gentle and avoid scrubbing or using harsh products. Remember to be especially careful with aniline leather, which lacks a protective top layer and is prone to staining.