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Tips for cleaning and protecting leather.

How to protect + clean leather

Leather should be kept out of direct sunlight.

Leather must be cleaned regularly. First, use a soft cloth or microfiber cloth to dust the surface.

Take a damp cloth, run it through a moisturizing soap, and lather the leather. Do not rinse - buff to a nice shine.

When removing stains from leather, always test any cleaning method in an out-of-the-way area first.
To remove stains from leather, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub the stain. This can also work to remove ink stains. Leave it on overnight and wipe it clean with a damp cloth.

Removal of normal leather stains

1 part lemon juice
1 part cream of tartar

Just dab the paste in place with a soft cloth, and if there is any dirt left after working on it, let it sit for a few hours. Go back and apply some more paste, work and clean.

Water stains can be removed from leather by moistening the area again with a little water, then letting it dry or gently patting dry. Never place the leather in the sun to dry it..

Leather road salt removal

1 part water
1 part white vinegar

Take a cloth and soak it in the solution, then wipe it over the shoes or lightly cover it to remove the salt. This may have to be repeated several times to clean the entire surface. When you're done they should look almost like new. Be sure to clean leather shoes with a damp cloth frequently and keep them well polished with a paste.

Keep leather supple

1 part white vinegar
2 parts flaxseed oil
jar with lid

Pour the solution into a jar with a lid, shake well and apply to the leather with a soft cloth. Let stand for 12 hours and turn on. If the fabric starts to stain, be sure to change it often. Store leftover solution for future use.

Removing stains on suede is a completely different problem. For suede shoes, try a bubble gum eraser first and if that doesn't work, use undiluted white vinegar on a soft cloth and make sure to dry:never rub when cleaning suede. Once the spot is gone, grab a shoe brush and repeat the suede nap. Let dry.