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How to care for your leather and shearling garments?
You have made an investment in quality. Therefore, take good care of your leather garment to add to its life and maintain its appearance. To retain it's beauty, leather requires regular conditioning to replenish the natural oils lost during normal use.
Shearlings
If your shearling coat or jacket gets wet, let it dry naturally. Don't place by a fire or other high heat source. When dry, water spots can be brushed away with a lint brush or a clean dry sponge.
Never place a shearling coat or jacket right next to a open fire or other strong heat source, such as a heater. The high heat from a fire or heater can damage a shearling coat or jacket. Also do not store a shearling coat in direct sunlight as it can bleach a shearling coat over time.
Do not put adhesive stickers on shearling coats or jackets. Part of the adhesive can either get left behind or the adhesive may itself pull off some of the fabric.
Use a lint brush or sponge to periodically brush up the suede knap if it gets worn (in wear spots like elbows) smooth. A lint brush or suede sponge can be used to remove minor spots and stains.
Liquid spots (grease, drinks, water) should be treated with a layer of corn starch applied directly onto the spot. Blot up any liquid with a paper towel or cloth first. Then sprinkle corn starch directly onto the coat on top of the stain. Let the corn starch sit for a day or two - the worse the stain, the longer you should let the corn starch sit. Vacuum the corn starch off. The corn starch will not leave any marks of its own. To remove dried stains that the corn starch did not remove sometimes an eraser can be used. Work the spot back and forth in several directions. Be careful not to work the area so hard that the nap is totally removed. Avoid stain resistant treatments that are made of silicone.
Don't let dirt get too worn into a your jacket. Heavily soiled shearling jackets are obviously more difficult to clean than shearling coats that are not.
Residual grime or major stains should be cleaned by a dry cleaner who specializes in suedes, leathers and furs. A periodic cleaning (every couple of years) by a good leather cleaner helps restore oils to the skins and increases the garment's longevity. Some specialist cleaners do the cleaning by hand. Ask a prospective cleaner if they are experienced with Lambskin suede or Shearling coats. Never, ever thrown a shearling coat or jacket into the washing machine or the dryer. Most shearling coats are meant to be dry cleaned.
Hang a Shearling Coat or Jacket, when not in use, on a sturdy, well shaped coat hangar. Don't hang it up on a knob for extended periods of time.
Cleaning a shearling coat or jacket should be done in the spring, regardless of how dirty the jacket may look, as solvents and salt can accumulate on the jacket. These solvents can damage a shearling coat if left on it over time.
Shearling coats and jackets should be stored in a dry, cool (55-60 degrees F) place protected from moths and silverfish (cedar closets are good for keeping critters away). Always store your coat in a breathable garment bag (vinyl or plastic bags do not breathe) to prevent the leather from drying out. Do not "stuff" a shearling coat or jacket in with tons of other clothes. Ideally, a shearling jacket should have a little bit of "breathing room" when hanging in a closet.
Smooth Leathers
Unless properly cared for and protected, excess dryness can cause leather to crack and too much moisture can cause it to swell up, mildew and eventually stiffen as it dries. As well, unprotected leather is susceptible to spotting from water and other liquids. Newly purchased leather should be treated immediately to help prevent permanent stains from marring the skin. Use only a high quality leather care lotion.
When leather gets wet or rain spotted, slowly dry it away from a high heat source.
To remove wrinkles press with an iron at rayon setting by using heavy wrapping paper as a press cloth on the right side of the garment. Press with a light, quick hand to avoid overheating and shine.
Do not pull adhesive tags/tape on leather or suede garments. When removed, adhesive will strip the surface of the leather.
Smooth Leather may be cleaned at home with a damp cloth and mild non-detergent soap. Spread the garment; wipe with soaped cloth; pat dry.
If absolutely necessary, heavily soiled suede and smooth leather should be professionally dry-cleaned by a leather cleaning specialist. A periodic cleaning (every couple of years) by a good leather cleaner helps restore oils to the skins and increases the garment's longevity. Dry-clean all pieces of a multi-piece outfit at the same time in order to keep pieces matching.
Sueded Leathers
If the garment gets wet shake it out vigorously then place it on a clothes hanger to dry at room temperature. Wrinkles will generally fall out by hanging for several hours on a hanger. Use a clothes dryer, Tumble dry, no heat setting, for 15 minutes to remove stubborn wrinkles. Pressing on the back side, through a cloth or paper is also helpful. Use no steam and a low heat setting. Steady pressure is better then too much back and forth ironing.
Do not put adhesive stickers on suede garments. Part of the adhesive can either get left behind or the adhesive may itself pull off some of the fabric.
Use a lint brush or sponge to periodically brush up the suede knap if it gets worn (in wear spots like elbows) smooth. A lint brush or suede sponge can be used to remove minor spots and stains.
Body oils, makeup and spills should be treated promptly by the generous application of dry corn starch. Blot up any liquid with a paper towel or cloth first. Let the starch sit overnight then brush with a lint brush. To remove dried stains that the corn starch did not remove sometimes an eraser can be used. Work the spot back and forth in several directions. Be careful not to work the area so hard that the nap is totally removed. Avoid stain resistant treatments that are made of silicone.
Suede leather seldom requires dry cleaning if brushed often to keep dirt and dust from penetrating the nap. Use a bristle brush (never a wire brush). Spots and light stains can often be removed with a Suede Cleaning Pad. Never use household cleaning fluids.
A periodic cleaning (every couple of years) by a good leather cleaner helps restore oils to the skins and increases the garment's longevity.
Store the garment on a hanger and do not cover the garment in a plastic bag for extended periods of time. Use a cloth bag or drape if additional protection is desired.
(Rita Designs does not recommend any particular dry cleaning services.)