Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with leathercare

Help me preserve this leather saddlebag!

nonmerci — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 09:09:40 -0800

Help me clean/revive/preserve my mother's vintage leather saddle bag! I have a brown leather saddle bag that my mother purchased in 1970 in the SW (Arizona, I believe). It has been in a closet for decades, out-of-use, but is still in decent condition, though there are some marks on it and what appears to possibly be a little mold (weird circular indentations, three, on one fairly small area--each indentation is roughly .5" in diameter).

I'm in the PNW, and have been using the bag for about 6 months now. The other day, with a strange flurry of snow, I noticed that it looked like there were a few very small white particles affixed to the bag. They are not all over, and seem kind of random, and I've never noticed them before that day.

I bought some Saddle Soap at the store and went over the bag as much as I could and as carefully as I could (though I plan on doing some more 'coats'), but was wondering if anyone had any specific product/technique recommendations for this kind of item. I'd like to get it as clean as possible, and also preserve it, as it's a very special item to me and also very beautiful.

*I am trying to find an image that corresponds to the bag I have and am not having luck. It isn't an actual saddle bag that is attached, but rather more like a woman's purse with a similar style. It also has a large brass (?) ring which serves to weigh down the top flap and close the bag. Other than that it is not very ornate--the only decoration is leather thread that binds the seams of the bag (all in good condition).

Thanks for any help!

How to keep leather handbag looking like new?

stopgap — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:25:51 -0800

I need some handbag care advice for my girlfriend. She has a golden-tan leather Furla bag that is starting to get a little dried out. We're not in a big city, so going to a professional probably isn't an option. What can she do to treat the leather so it stays looking like new? Specific brand names of products we can order are preferable.

"Fine corinthian leather!!"

pearlybob — Sun, 04 May 2008 17:18:29 -0800

Please give me your best tips and recommendations for bringing a leather sofa and chair back to life. A friend gave me a great leather sofa, chair and ottoman. They are in great shape except the leather is very faded and 'light' on the tops of the cushions and ottoman. It has retained its original color on the back and sides. It is still soft but looks like it needs a pound of lard rubbed into it. He says that the set was in the sun and that is why the color has faded on the top.

What can I do to help moisturize and bring the leather back? I've read the previous posts on leather care but they seem to deal with hard, cracking or torn leather. Mine seems supple, just faded and "dry".

What do you suggest? Favorite products? Do they make leather cream that has a tint to it to help restore the color? I browsed the shelves at the Lowe's but got overwhelmed so I thought I would ask for help. I also want something that will soak in so I don't have to worry about getting it on my clothes.

Thanks in advance. Any and all tips appreciated.

How to care for leather furniture

crack — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 05:18:23 -0800

Looking for good stuff to clean and maintain newish italian leather furniture. My parents bought an expensive dark brown Italian leather sofa and loveseat set about two years ago. They'd like to start a leather care regiment.

I did some googling and I'm thinking of going with one of the following product lines: Leatherique, Lexol, or LeatherMaster. The former two seem to be used by people who really know thier leather, and are often touted by individual users in car-related forums (hence they are popularly used for auto interiors). The LeatherMaster product is recommended by furniture sites for sofa care but without much specifics. I'm wondering which would truly be best for domestic aniline leather upholstry.

Also, alternative product recommendations or links to further information on the subject of conditioning and cleaning aniline leather furniture is most welcome. Thanks.

Problems with a new leather jacket

borkingchikapa — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 11:34:13 -0800

My new leather jacket is wearing very strangely. [+] The owner of the store I bought it from seemed strangely eager to sell me it, especially since he was giving me what was supposedly a $700 jacket for $150. It's very warm and I like it a lot, however I haven't had it more than a month and there's already scratches on the leather. It seems like the material tore a bit, revealing the underside to be a weird blue-green color. Shoe polish covers it up just fine, but I'm wondering what the hell is going on since I've never seen anyone else's jacket do this. Am I treating it badly? Did I get ripped off? What's going on?

Advice on caring for a leather coat.

mr_crash_davis — Fri, 26 Dec 2003 13:36:44 -0800

My wife bought me a nifty leather duster for Christmas. I've never had a leather overcoat before, and I'd like some tips on waterproofing it and caring for it.