The Professional Leather Cleaners Association offers ten tips

to make your valuable leathers and shearlings last a very long time.

With fall right around the corner and you begin reviewing your closet, the Professional Leather Cleaner’s Association has ten tips for the care of your valuable leather apparel and accessories.  The Professional Leather Cleaners Association is aware of the increasing popularity of leather on the runways and wants to make sure your leather garments will last and look their best!

Leather ages gracefully and can last a lifetime with the proper care right from the start;

•     Always hang leather garments on wide or padded hangers to maintain their shape.  Use shoetrees in footwear and stuff empty handbags with tissue to help retain their shape.

•     Never store leather goods in plastic or other non-breathable covers.  This will cause leather to become dry.

•     Allow wet or damp leather to air-dry naturally away from any direct heat source.  Leather can be treated with a conditioner to restore flexibility while suede can be brushed with a terry towel to restore its look.

•     In winter, promptly remove salt deposits from garments and footwear by sponging with water; follow with the above treatment for wet or damp leather.

•     Avoid very humid and dry environments as well as direct sunlight. 

•     Do not use waxes, silicone products or other leather preparations that will impair a garment’s ability to breathe.

•     Wrinkles should hang out.  If ironing is desired, set iron on rayon setting, use heavy brown wrapping paper as a pressing cloth on right side of the garment and a quick hand to prevent overheating and shine.

•     Avoid spraying perfumes or hair sprays while wearing your garment and do not apply pins, adhesive badges or tape.  Wearing a scarf at the neckline will help keep hair and body oil away from the collar.

•     Hems may be fixed with a tiny amount of rubber cement.  For best results, see a leather care professional.

•     All products formulated for at-home use should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the garment.

Established in 2010, the Professional Leather Cleaners Association (PLCA) is a not for profit trade association founded by a group of leather cleaners from across North America, each with at least 30 years of experience and dedicated to the highest standards for cleaning leather.  Their goal is to provide information and resources to the consumer about the unique characteristics, care and cleaning requirements for leather apparel and accessories.  For more information about the PLCA and to find a professional leather cleaner near you, go to their website at: www.professionalleathercleaners.org.