We all know there is no fashion without leather. Since its innovation, the leather industry has always been on a growth spree. The high demand is primarily attributed to the flexibility and durability of leather. Furthermore, the material is very appealing to the eyes. For most people, acquiring good quality leather shoes, clothes and accessories is just enough. However, for true leather lovers, proper care and maintenance keeps their treasures looking fresh and new. As a fan of leather, this article teaches you how to care for leather shoes and accessories. Furthermore, we sum up and review the best leather shoes and accessories care kit.
To add life to your leather fashion items, there are important factors that come into perspective. The factors include; cleanliness, protection, and restoration. Unless you protect your leather items from the things that lead to quality depreciation, they cannot last for more than a year. Lack of protection leads to wear and tear. This means that every year, you will be forced to spend hundreds of dollars on replacement items. Secondly, how you clean your leather items determines their durability. Leather lasts longer if it is always kept clean and conditioned. Lastly, restoration keeps your leather item looking good. Just like human skin, leather requires moisturizing. Remember, leather is derived from animal skin. Lotions rich with emollients add moisture to leather thereby preventing cracking.
In the recent years, different manufacturers produce a variety of products to help you protect and maintain your leather investments. The products are mainly categorized in four groups that include; leather water and stain repellants, cleaners, conditioners, and moisturizing creams and lotions. Water and stain repellants are primarily used to protect leather from damage caused by water and stains. Cleaners are used to remove dirt, stains and other unwanted elements from leather. Sometimes a cleaner serves both the cleaning and conditioning purposes. Conditioners are used to prevent cracking and damage by conditioning leather material. Leather lotions and creams are used to add extra-moisture to leather. Moisture prevents discoloration, cracking, drying, and scuffing.
We have done a thorough research and identified the best water and stain repellents, cleaners, conditioners, and leather lotions that you can use on your leather items today. Primarily, we focus on shoes but these products can be used on other leather items such as bags, auto interior, loveseats, and dresses. Several products are listed in each category to provide you with room for comparison. In the water and stain repellents category, we identified Apple Brand Garde Rain & Stain Water Repellent Conditioner, Cleaner Protector Aerosol. The repellant and protector helps you achieve maximum protection for your leather shoes and accessories. In the leather cleaning category, TriNova Leather Conditioner and Cleaner is a top-notch cleaner that will leave your looking spotless. The third product that we identified is the Leather Milk Leather Conditioner and Cleaner. You cannot afford to miss the superior conditioning ability of this product. The last product in our review is Obenauf’s Leather Oil 16oz. It is designed to provide ultimate care and protection by moisturizing your leather. Stock your house with the four products and your leather game will move several notches up. Please analyze all the categories in detail for product comparison and more insights.
Below is a table that summarizes the best products as identified in the four product categories discussed in this article.
Apple Brand Garde Rain & Stain Water Repellent Conditioner
Apple water and stain repellent has been designed with advanced technology to protect your shoes from water and stains damage. It is rich in properties that remove stains and dirt from leather, suede and other fabric. Furthermore, it is also associated with conditioning effects. Apple stain and water repellent works best when used on clean items. Ensure that your items are thoroughly cleaned before spraying them with the repellent. It does not cause discoloration or leave behind residue.
Strengths
- Removes stains, sweat, greases and water effectively
- Does not cause discoloration
- Easy to use
- Can be used on a variety of fabrics
- Does not leave residue
Weaknesses
- Requires products to be cleaned before use
- The size of the product is relatively small
TriNova Leather Conditioner and Cleaner
TriNova Leather Conditioner and Cleaner is incredible for cleaning and conditioning. All that is needed is thorough application on the target item. It can be applied on different leather items. For example, you can use it on shoes, auto interior, bags, belts, and dresses. The product provides you with remarkable results by enhancing the appearance of leather. It also prolongs the life of leather by preventing cracking, breakage and fading. Other benefits that can be derived from the cleaner include; elimination of dirt and stains, restoration of color to faded items, moisture addition and nourishment, and protection from UV rays. TriNOva leather conditioner is easy to use. In addition, it comes with an application sponge. Lastly, the product has an odor that dies off after it dries up.
Strengths
- Works effectively as promised by the manufacturer
- Improves the appearance of leather
- Prolongs product life
- The quantity is reasonable for the price
Weaknesses
- Some users might not like the odor although it dies off a few minutes after application
- The product has to be reapplied after several months to maintain the restored appearance
Leather Milk Leather Conditioner and Cleaner
Leather Milk Leather Conditioner and Cleaner is rich in emollients that will nourish your leather to glorious life. Honestly, its conditioning abilities are groundbreaking. In addition to deep conditioning, the product restores cracked, dry, faded, cracked, and scratched leather. Most importantly, Leather milk conditioner is made of natural ingredients. The manufacturer states that this product works with all types of leather from natural qualities to unfinished leather. Its versatility is further manifested in its ability to work with different colors without causing fading and discoloration. Once applied to the target product, it produces a pleasant scent that fades away after some time.
Strengths
- Prolongs product life
- Enriches color, texture and appearance
- Removes dirt and stains
- Prevents leather from mechanical damage
- Does not leave residue
- The conditioner produces a pleasant fragrance
Weaknesses
- Some users do not like the almond extract aroma
- The price is relatively high for the quantity
Obenauf’s Leather Oil
There are many leather oils, lotions and creams in the market today but Obenauf’s Leather Oil beats most of them hands down. The remarkable performance of the oil is mainly attributed to its all-natural composition. It is made of natural oils and tree resins. The main benefits that leather products derive from Obenauf’s Leather oil include; protection from moisture and water, nourishment and restoration to dry leather, and prolonged life. It is also good for preventing cracking, scratching, fading and dry rot.
Strengths
- Prevents drying, scuffing and cracking
- Repels water and moisture
- It restores and nourishes leather
- Prolongs product life
Weaknesses
- The product is relatively expensive
Leather Protection (Stain and Water Repellents)
The main products that are used to protect leather from environmental hazards are stain and rain repellents. Rain, stains, mud, moisture and other things that leather attracts form the environment affect quality and durability. Stain and rain repellents keep these elements at bay by providing utmost protection. However, it is important to consider the quality of a repellent before buying. The table below provides an overview of some of the best stain and water repellents that you can use to protect your leather items.
Leather Cleaning
There is no doubt that you can make your dirty leather clean with water and soap. However, that strategy does not main both cleanliness and quality. Leather cleaners help you achieve both. Furthermore, some of them contain emollients and components that nourish and moisturize your leather. Others protect leather from environmental hazards. Investing in a good cleaner is preserving the quality of your leather. Check the table below for an overview of some of the best cleaners available in the market today. You can click the buy here button for detailed reviews.
Leather Conditioning
The value that is derived from leather conditioning is immeasurable. Can you imagine investing $100 in a pair of shoes and then it gets damaged after one year? Sounds like irrecoverable loss. The good news is that a high quality leather conditioner can make the shoes last for up to three years. With the right maintenance and protection, leather is very durable. Conditioners contain ingredients that eliminate the elements that damage leather. Furthermore, leather conditioners also contain preservation components. The components prolong the life of leather. Check the quality leather conditioners we identified in our research in the table below.
Leather Restoration
It is not a secret-all fabrics depreciate with time. Leather is not exceptional. The main factor that differentiates leather from other fabrics is that its quality can be restored. There is a wide range of leather repair kits and restoration products that can be used to serve this purpose. All you need to do is identify the right ones. The right restoration products should have the ability to improve the appearance and texture of damaged leather significantly. It should also prevent further cracking, drying, fading and discoloration. Check out the table below for high quality restoration oils, creams and lotions.
I hope you have found what you have been looking for in this article. Keep calm and take care of your leather 😉
