Rules and hints on the care of 
your leather apparel

*  Never use solvents
*  Never use milk
*  Don’t keep leather apparel in plastic bags for storage.  If clothing must be stored in a garment bag then keep it open for ventilation.
*  Dry the humid leather apparel far from heat sources
*  Apply a little leather conditioner when the leather is nearly dry to restore flexibility.  Follow this with a full conditioning treatment after the leather is completely air-dried. (conditioning step four)
*  Do not leave leather apparel in the sunlight or near intense artificial lights.
*  A newly purchased leather apparel or leather jacket should be treated immediately to prevent permanent stains. (see step four - protecting)
*  Always hang leather coats, leather jackets on wide padded hangers.
*  In winter, promptly remove any salt deposits from coats, shoes, and boots by using a sponge with clean water then follow the treatment for wet/damp leather. (conditioning step four)
*  To prevent mildew, protect leather from excessive humidity.
*  Avoid turpentine and mineral spirits as they can pull color.

4-Step Care Procedure

As a general rule, caring for your leather apparel is done in four stages: cleaning, conditioning, polishing, and protecting.  We will go over each step individually.

First Step - Cleaning
*  When cleaning, always choose a product that helps preserve the  leather’s natural lubricating oils rather than strip them away.  Most cleaning products sold in department and shoe stores are safe.  But, it never hurts to ask a salesperson just to be sure.
*  Second, try to avoid cleaners that leave any sort of grease or residue.  Residue can make leather vulnerable to bacteria, which will tarnish the leather and eventually break down the stitching.
*  Before you start cleaning the full surface of your leather apparel, test out the cleaner on a smaller, less visible are.
*  Wait a few minutes.  If you don’t notice ant color distortion, proceed with the rest of the leather apparel.
*  To remove the excess cleaner, use a slightly dampened cloth or a small brush around the stitching.
*  Clean your leather apparel as often aas you need to and make sure
    they’re dust free at all times.
*  As well, make sure to clean and treat your leather before it’s dry.  Never use heat to dry leather (it should air-dry) and always stuff garment while it’s drying, in order to make sure it maintains its shape.
*  Never use caustic household chemicals to clean you leather apparel.
*  Finally, I suggest you get yourself a nubuck cloth; it’s a great leather care tool for cleaning and restoring you leather apparel to its original look.

Removing Mildew

*  In case mildew builds up, mix up one cup of rubbing alcohol with one cup of water.  Dip a clean cloth in the solution and wipe the mildewed area.
*  For more persistent mildew, use mild soap containing germicide and water.  Wipe the excess soap with a clean cloth and let dry.

Removing Stains

*  Most oil or grease stains can be lifted by grinding up blackboard chalk, sprinkle it onto the affected area, and leaving the powder on for one full day.

Second Step - Conditioning

*  All types of leather apparel needs conditioning.  The fats and/or oils found in conditioners help lubricate leather and replenish leathers suppleness.
*  Beware of products that contain petroleum or mineral oils; they will damage your leather apparel over time.
*  Similar to cleaning apparel, avoid conditioners that leave thick greasy residue.  Instead, look for products that penetrate the leather fibers.
*  Condition your leather apparel several times during the season.  Do so more often if leather apparel is exposed to hot sunny conditions or moisture.
*  If your leather has been dampened, restore its flexibility by applying a bit of conditioner just before it fries out completely.  Lexol is generally a good conditioner for most leathers.

Third Step - Polishing

*  For a clean and more glossy finish, polish your leather apparel with a fine polishing agent.  Be careful when polishing, as some products contain coloring agents that might stain the leather’s natural color.
*  Some products might also clog the leather’s pores, causing permanent damage.  This is usually the case for waxes and many silicon-based  products.  (Again, you should always test out a new product on a small, less visible area before proceeding with the rest of the item.)  Also, keep in mind that using mink oil or other animal fats might darken leather.
*  Buff your leather apparel to a shine.

Fourth Step - Protecting

*  Protection is the most important step of the care for your leather apparel.  You should try to protect every new leather apparel before wearing it.
*  It’s recommended that you protect your leather apparel against moisture such as rain, snow, sweat, and other liquid hazards.  Unprotected leather will stiffen and crack rather quickly.  Beware of the protector you use.  Some protectors might fill the leather’s pores with grease, which will eventually make cleaning, conditioning, and polishing more difficult.
*  Always remember to apply your protector on clean, dry leather. Apply it periodically and make sure the leather apparel is dry before wearing it.
*  Several grades of leather require more specialized maintenance.  In  this case, we strongly recommend you to have your leather apparel or  leather jacket cleaned and maintained professionally.
*  Finally, try Tana Style 16 Protective Spray.  This product protects leather from moisture and staining, and is recommended for all types of leather.
 

  Suede

*  In case of non-greasy stains:
 - swab up immediately with water and absorbing paper/cloth and message the stain until it is dry
*  In case of greasy stains:
 - This is the only occasion that you should use a specialized leather cleaner, because greasy stains can only be removed by special leather cleaners.

Brushing

 - Use only a dry synthetic sponge to revive the hair on you leather apparel and to remove any dust that may be on the surface area 

Storage Tips

*  Always store your leather items in cool, dry places
*  Never store leather in plastic bags or other nonporous covers or containers
*  When hanging leather pants or leather jackets, avoid using metal hangers
*  Always stuff empty leather handbags with newspaper