Tips on Leather Restoration

Leather is a versatile material that is popular as furniture upholstery, clothing, purses and more. It is susceptible to wear and tear, and it can become faded, scratched or dried out overtime. When leather becomes worn, there are a few basic restoration tips that can be helpful.

Cleaning

Before starting any restoration of leather, you must clean your leather. Using a few drops of mild facial or body soap in one quart of distilled water will effectively clean your leather. Wipe your leather in small circular motions with the soapy water and a clean soft rag. After using soap, wipe your leather with a clean rag dipped in non-soapy distilled water. Dry thoroughly with another clean rag and buff with yet a fourth rag.

Scratches

To restore leather that has scratched, use a blow dryer on a low setting. Hold the blow dryer about 5 inches from the leather. While applying heat from the blow dryer, use your hand to massage the scratch in a small circular motion. Doing this will bring the original color dye up to the surface to reduce the look of the scratch. Be careful not to overheat the leather.

Conditioning

Leather may need to be conditioned to restore its softness if exposed to too much sun or other elements. One cup of mink oil can be massaged into the leather to restore its luster. Use a clean chamois and work in one small section at a time. Rub the oil in a circular motion. When one small area is done, move on to another section. After using the mink oil, use another clean chamois to wipe off any excess oil from the leather.

Fading

Faded leather can be the result of too much sunlight or age. Move your leather out of direct sunlight to avoid more fading. To restore faded spots on your leather, use a leather color balm. Match up the colors of your leather and the balm. Apply the balm according to the manufacturer's instructions, rubbing the balm gently in a circular motion. When the balm has been completely absorbed, buff your leather with a clean soft rag.