Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Clean Black Leather

Dust is readily apparent on black leather, so regularly cleaning is a must.


Leather yields from the hides and skins of animals, such as the cow, deer, pig and goat, through a process that is centuries old. An intricate process known as tanning produces sheets of leather in various thicknesses, later dyed to the desired color--including black. Whether it is a couch, pair of shoes, briefcase, jacket or your motorcycle bags and seat, black leather requires proper care. Cleaning, conditioning and protecting are all a part of the maintenance process. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Dust the black leather regularly with a soft cloth. Dust is readily apparent on black leather, making it look dull and lifeless. Removing dust on a regular basis will help to keep the black leather free of buildup.


2. Spot clean leather using a soft cloth dampened with water. Rub the damp cloth over the soiled area in a circular motion to remove dirt. Apply a drop of dish soap to the damp cloth for tougher stains.


3. Clean large areas of black leather using a saddle soap. Apply the saddle soap with a soft cloth, as directed on the label instructions. Spray glycerin based saddle soaps directly onto black leather, buffing away with a soft cloth for a clean shine.


4. Condition the black leather using a shea butter based conditioner. Apply the shea butter conditioner using a soft cloth. Rub the shea butter conditioner into the black leather in circular motions. Conditioning once a year is usually sufficient; condition twice a year for black leather exposed to the elements.


5. Spray your black leather with a water repellent product designed specifically for leather. Apply the water repellent per label instructions. Spills will pool on top of the leather and you can just wipe them away.







Tags: black leather, black leather, soft cloth, leather using, shea butter