Looking after leather

Leather items of clothing such as leather jackets, skirts, trousers and coats often take pride of place in our wardrobes as being amongst our most cherished items of clothing. However, these items can end up looking at less than their best if they are not properly cared for. In this ShoppingTrolley guide, I will give you some pointers as to how to keep your leather clothing in tip top condition.

Cleaning and caring for leather wear

When leather needs to be cleaned, you may be tempted to use a dry cleaner, under the assumption that they will know how to give your garment the treatment it deserves. However, specialist leather cleaning can be very expensive, and you often have to sign a disclaimer against your garment being damaged. This is because many dry cleaners who claim to offer a specialist service have little knowledge of the glues and dyes used, and the chemicals they employ can be too harsh, removing the leather's natural oils.

However, there are some things you can do at home to keep your leather wear clean and stain free:

• Don't get your leather clothing wet, expose it to sunlight or to direct heat. You can gently clean the surface of your leather wear with a damp cloth and allow it to dry naturally at the ambient temperature in a well ventilated room. This method of drying your leather also applies if you are inadvertently caught in a rain storm whilst wearing your favourite jacket.
• Don't expost your leather to any chemicals, including perfume, antiperspirant, alcohol or other cleaners. Chemicals can damage the leather by removing the natural oils, making it more likely to crack and age.
• Any spills or stains should be mopped up as quickly as possible with a dry absorbent cloth.
• Leather cleaners can be obtained from speciality leather stores. These products are a great and safe way to clean, nourish and preserve your leather clothing. You can also buy leather care products online.

When you are not wearing your jacket or coat, hang it up with plenty of space in your wardrobe, and use a padded hanger to help keep the true shape. Don't keep it in a plastic bag, as leather is a natural material and it needs to be able to breathe.