Leather Care & Storing

Miss BeadCo, Lda. (PT 508 396 514) (www.cordsandwires.eu)

When you select and purchase your special Miss BeadCo, Lda leather piece you will want it to last as long as possible. With this in mind:

Do not get metal hardware wet.

Do not moisturise leathers with leather cream.

Do not condition or moisturise metallic leather.

Lighter colours do mark easily.

Certain rough finishes are intentional.

Treat all leather with care (see below for some tips).

Independent leather testing authorities have carried out extensive tests to find out what destroys leather and here's what they discovered: many ordinary household chemicals dramatically reduced the life of leather.

Some of these chemicals are: Suntan lotion, Skin moisturiser, Fly Spray, Air Freshener, Hair Gel & Hair Spray, Detergents, etc.

Many care products sold to consumers for leather, in fact did more harm than good! Ouch! Many of these products contain bees wax, silicone and other surfactants.

Here are some general leather care instructions recommended by the tanneries.

To avoid

Long exposure to direct sunlight, Avoid direct heat, Avoid soaking.

Cleaning

To clean a leather item, first choose a cleaner that will help preserve the natural lubricating oils instead of stripping them. For example, saddle soap is a commonly used product for equestrian tack. It is meant to be used as a cleaner and a protector from moisture, but it strips the leather of the oils in the process of attempting to do two jobs at once. The cleaner of your choice should not leave any greasy residue behind. Residue makes leather susceptible to bacteria and can break down the stitching of your item. Before applying anything to your leather item, be certain to test it out for effect and possible colour distortion on an area that isn't visible to the eye. Once you've ascertained whether the leather care product is acceptable to use, apply it to your item. With a slightly dampened cloth, remove the cleaning product. For areas with stitches, there are brushes available on the market. Another cleaning product to consider having in your leather care collection is a nubuck cleaning cloth. They have an astonishing ability to clean and restore leather to its original look.

Use vacuum carefully to remove dust.

Remember that leather is a natural material and should never be stored in plastic because it encourages the growth of mildew and bacteria and will ruin the leather. Always store leather in a cool, dry place away from heat. Store your leather in a breathable bag.