Keep the lustre of leather items intact

MONSOON EFFECT

Be it bags, apparels or any other accessory, leather in all forms gives a rich look. If it’s good leather, the opulence and smart look is surely reflected.

 But if not properly taken care of, leather articles can turn out to be the worst items in your wardrobe – an expensive item that cannot be flaunted ever again. It is especially during monsoons that the most troublesome task of taking care of leather arises. 

If leather is exposed to rain or humidity, it loses its lustre and provides a perfect ground for fungal growth. “Avoid rain water or if you can’t then wipe off your stuff instantly to avoid damage,” says designer Rosy Ahluwalia. “The quality of leather depends on the type of leather you are purchasing. It can be soft, hard, rough, heavy, light, shiny, dull etc. Usually leather is wrinkle and stain free,” she says. 

Whenever your bag, jacket or apparel gets wet from rain or moisture, pat it with a soft cotton cloth. Thereafter, leave it in a warm place to dry naturally.

However, the important part is how to store leather when the climate is humid. “Leather articles need proper care when not in use. Keep them out of direct sunlight in a closet or places with good airflow and low humidity, since sunlight fades and dries out leather, and high humidity leads to mildew on leather luggage,” says Aditya Singhal, CEO, It’s My Life Jean Company.

“Store your leather articles in a cloth bag or boxes with a silica gel desiccant to protect it from moisture and dust. Periodically, expose it to air to keep it fresh,” he advises. In order to prevent your bag and apparel from water spots and stains, “Use water-repellent protective spray, waxes or polishes on the articles prior to exposing them to rain or humidity,” says Singhal.

Creams and wax act like a moisturising element. “Rub a little of this cream or wax and clean with a soft cloth. This will prevent growth of fungus and keep your leather articles supple,” he says. 

Even leather shampoo can help when your prized leather items look soiled. “Spray leather protection and conditioning cream or spray at least twice a year or more often,” adds Singhal.