What is leather?

Leather, the oldest materials known to man, is animal skin which, by the process known as tanning, is transformed into such things as garments, shoes, furniture and dozens of other everyday articles. Its scent, appearance and texture combine to make it a unique material. Since it is unlike any other type of material, proper care is essential.

The Benefits of Leather

Leather is an extremely versatile material. It is warm is the winter and cool in the summer. Leather’s excellent insulation characteristics allow both ventilation and evaporation to take place. There is almost no other clothing material that will provide the service and durability of genuine leather. Leather’s well known aging qualities enhance its popularity and value. Whether from disease or injury, scarring in the skin imparts a unique natural beauty inherent to genuine leather garments.

The Difference B/W Suede & Leather

Smooth leather or grain leather refers to the top outer layer of the animal’s skin. The only difference between suede and leather is the finish that is applied to the skin. The most common types of hides used in garment manufacturing are lamb, cow and pig.

Nubuck is created by lightly buffing the top grain until it takes on a very fine nap that appears smoother than suede.

Suede is generally the underside of the hide buffed to a smooth finish. Suede may also be split from a thick hide. The top surface of the new layer looks like suede but is not as soft.

Routine Care

Smooth leather - Use a soft, water dampened sponge or cloth to remove surface dirt or stains.
Suede or nubuck leather - Brush regularly to keep dust and dirt from settling in the nap and to maintain its velvety look. Use a brush or block designed for suede and nubuck available at your leather retailer. Never use a wire bristle brush.

• Wear a scarf to protect the collar area from perspiration and body oils• Avoid spraying perfume or hair spray while wearing leather or suede• Avoid the use of pins and broaches as they will make permanent holes in leather and suede• Never apply tape or adhesive stickers (such as name tags) to leather or suede, as the glue will permanently damage the skin.

Storage

One of the many benefits of leather is that it doesn’t easily wrinkle if stored properly. Leather is a great choice for extended wear or travel. Suggestions to keep your garment wrinkle free:

• Store garment on a broad hanger, not wire, to maintain its shape.• Some garments have a chain loop at the collar. Do not use this as a hanger. The weight of the garment and contents in the pockets may be too heavy and result in a tear.• Never store in plastic because leather is a skin which needs to breathe.• Store leather in a cool, dry place. Leather can mildew if stored in a hot, humid environment.• Do not store leather near a direct source of light If wrinkles occur due to improper storage, simply hang garment and brush nap (if suede or nubuck). Most wrinkles should hang out.

Wrinkles occurring naturally in the skin are the defining characteristics that distinguish leather from man-made materials and cannot be removed. If ironing is necessary, contact Leather Craft for further information.

Care When Wet

If the garment gets wet, remove all items from pockets, hang on a sturdy, padded hanger, and let air dry naturally away from heat. When dry, brush suede and nubuck items to lift the nap.
Stains - If staining occurs, it is recommended that you take your garment to Leather Craft for professional care as soon as possible. Although there are numerous care products available commercially, most will only be effective in removing minor marks. Ink and protein stains such as blood, oil, egg and milk are difficult to remove from leather, and require professional care. If you decide to purchase a product from your leather retailer remember to follow the instructions exactly. When a spill occurs you may want to try one of the following to help prevent the stain from settling:

On smooth leather - blot the area with a cloth dampened with water.

On suede or nubuck leather - blot the area with a cloth dampened with water. If the stain is oil based, you may sprinkle the area with baby powder or chalk shavings to try and absorb the excess oils. Do not rub. Let the garment sit overnight. Shake powder off and gently brush nap with a suede brush.

Sign That Garment requires Cleaningt

Professional leather cleaning is recommended when needed, depending upon the wear and care you give your garment.

• Ground-in-dirt appears around collar, cuffs or pocket areas• Stains occur• Color looks faded
All parts of suits or multi-piece outfits must be processed at the same time to ensure a color match.

The professional leather cleaning methodEach leather garment is a unique natural product requiring specialized processes that vary depending on the type of leather and color of the garment. Leather Craft’s professional leather cleaning method cleans and restores oils occurring naturally in the skin. Following cleaning, every garment is hand finished to restore and enhance the garment’s original color. Finally, Leather Craft’s own Shower Craft water repellant is applied to protect your garment from the elements.

What to expect after cleaningLeather Craft’s professional leather cleaning method leaves skins feeling soft and supple. Leather is a natural skin, and each panel may be of varying thickness, texture, color with scars and/or wrinkles. Changes will almost always result from the cleaning process, especially during the first cleaning. These characteristics contribute to the authenticity and uniqueness of a leather garment, and do not affect its wear. Tanneries often fill scars and imperfections on the leather before dying the garment. Cleaning removes some of the fillers and may cause the surface scars to reappear. After cleaning, leather will tend to go back to its original lines. As you wear your garment, it will reconfigure to your body. Smooth finished leathers will have a surface dye applied to restore the garments original color and hide any faded and worn areas. Suede and nubuck may have a slight variance in the depth of color after cleaning due to the color fastness of various skins.