How to Clean and Care for Your Leather 1 | Page
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How to Use this Leather eBook This book is your guide to navigating the fascinating world of leather. If you're reading this, chances are you have a prized leather piece of your own and you want to make sure it stays that way. When taken care of properly, leather is more than a fashion statement, it’s a lifetime companion. Throughout this eBook, you will find revealing tips that provide helpful information that will enable you to create a leather care process that's right for you.
Table of Contents Our Story5 Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Videos6 Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4, No.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Water Protectant No.324-25 Differences Between Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No.1, No.4, & No.
47 48 49 50-51 Frequency Leather Growth/Storage & Protection Leather Harm & Leather Handling Protecting Leather & Leather Remedies 60-61 61-63 63-64 Salt Stains Stains & Tacky Leather Wetness & Water Stains Wrinkles 65-66 Our Story Chamberlain’s story begins with Chamberlain’s Shipping Inc., a shipping and fulfillment company for quality leather items out of Fort Worth, Texas. Dennis and Patricia Chamberlain began shipping and fulfilling Saddleback Leather Company orders in 2007.
request of our customers, we decided to add to our product line with the addition of Straight Cleaner, Water Protectant, Auto Refreshener and Furniture Treatment. Together with our product applicators, we’re pleased to offer our customers a complete leather care system. Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Videos Chamberlain’s Leather Milk – for the Trails Ahead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-psh2uxZJU Chamberlain’s Leather Milk – Restoring Leather https://www.youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwewKc7yftg Water Protectant No. 3 – Leather Protector https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZelRaK4owz8 Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes No.1, No.2, No.3, No.4, No.5 How Much Do I Need? There’s one thing in common with all of our Leather Milk products, a little goes a long way, so you probably don’t need as much as you think. While it certainly depends on the age, condition and type of leather, there's only so much product leather can absorb.
3, No. 4 and No. 5 in THIN, EVEN layers across the entire surface of your leather item. Apply additional layers as needed. Applying the recipes in this way reduces the risk of over-conditioning and makes sure any change in color is uniform. Apply No. 2 generously into your leather and rub it in gently. Allow the leather to fully soak it in and wait for it to dry. Follow up with a leather conditioner.
● You can also apply a sprinkling of baking soda or cornstarch between cleanings, when the leather is completely dry. Let the powder sit overnight, and if it turns yellow the next day, dust it off and repeat. Cycle between this and your leather cleaner, and try to give the leather as much use as possible, until the stickiness disappears.
How Often Should I Condition, Treat & Clean My Leather? Leather is extremely porous and will absorb anything it can, from dust, water, snow even to mold. Regularly keeping your leather's surface clean can prevent these contaminants from taking root. It is a good idea to clean and condition your leather at least 2-3 times a year. This may change depending on the amount of use your leather gets and the weather it is exposed to.
your leather needs with Leather Care Liniment No. 1 or No. 5 if it’s furniture. You should always condition your leather after you have cleaned it, but you can condition without cleaning if it is not significantly dirty and you have brushed off the surface first. For routine cleaning, try to dust off your leather every week with a damp cloth, and attend to any spill or other incident as soon as possible.
● It’s always handy to have some plastic or newspaper to protect whatever surface you choose to use. ● Kill any existing mildew. We like to use a combination of apple cider vinegar and water. ● If your leather is really dirty, you will need to clean it with Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Straight Cleaner No.4 before conditioning and/or treating. How Do I Apply Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes? ● Use your FREE reusable cotton terry leather conditioner applicator pad that came with your purchase.
● If it is really dirty, clean the surface of your leather with Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No.2 – Straight Cleaner. Apply No. 2 generously into your leather and rub it in gently. Allow the leather to fully soak it in and wait for it to dry. Follow up with one of our leather conditioners. ● Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No.1 (Light Conditioner and Cleaner) – Apply THIN, EVEN layers across the entire surface of your leather item.
furniture near sunlit windows – apply THIN, EVEN layers across the entire surface of your leather item. Apply additional layers as needed. ● Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No.5 (Light Conditioner and Cleaner) – for use on indoor furniture not in direct sunlight – apply THIN, EVEN layers across the entire surface. How Long Does Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Last On The Shelf? There really is no shelf-life for our Leather Care products; at least we haven't discovered one yet.
should re-hydrate and make the formula highly absorbent again. If you'd like the formula even more fluid, just add water as desired. Another tip - if you're going to mix any of our products, add to a spray bottle for easier application, another option, ultimately up to you. Will Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Darken Leather? Chamberlain’s Leather Milk recipes will deepen the lighter shades of naturally tanned leather, but it very often comes back to its natural color except for Water Protectant No.
suggest spot-testing by applying a small amount of Chamberlain’s Leather Milk to a hidden area on your item. As mom says, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We’ve found that most customers don’t notice a change in color – and those who do often like the slightly deeper tone better! Can I use Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes On Colored Leather? Absolutely! Chamberlain’s Leather Milk formulas doe not interfere with the dyes or change the color of dyed leather. However, Water Protectant No.
● It’s always the safest route to contact the manufacturer or company that sells or makes your particular leather item and ensure it is okay to use a water-based conditioner/cleaner (No. 1, No. 4, and No. 5), an alcohol-based leather cleaner (No. 2), or an oil/wax based conditioner/protectant (No. 3) on their particular type of leather. ● Always test an inconspicuous area of your leather item first to ensure you like the result before applying the leather care product to the entire surface of the leather.
Is Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Safe For All Leathers, Including Exotic? There are all types of leather out there, vegetable and chrome-tanned, napped, suede, soft, vinyl and simulated etc., even leather from alligator, reptile, eel, lizard, snake or ostrich. Over the years, we’ve had many customers buy our formulas for all different types of leather, even exotic leathers with positive results.
Why Are Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Not Recommended On Extremely Soft Leather? It's pretty simple....we covering our “you-know-what” AND helping you out! Soft leather types are easy to distort. Unless you’re really careful, it's easy to over-condition the leather or create discoloration by not evenly applying our recipes. It's not so dire if your soft leather item has a protective finish and not a natural finish. Specialty leathers like nubuck and suede also fall into the category of soft leathers.
Will Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Break-In My Leather For Me? Our leather care recipes contain a variety of natural oils and conditioners that help the softening process. Depending on how absorbent and thick your leather is will most likely determine how quickly it will soften with treatment. Regular use over time is always the best breaking in method. We don't recommend you purchase Leather Milk expecting to use it as a leather softener.
My Leather Is Expensive! How Do I know Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Won't Ruin It? Stay on the safe side. Just like your mother taught you, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Test the Leather Milk recipe you purchased on an inconspicuous area of any leather item you intend to treat to ensure you like the result before applying it to the entire item. Leather comes in many finishes, textures and tanning processes, so it's important to test, test, and test.
● No. 3 - Wax/Oil-Based leather conditioner/protectant ● No. 4 - Water-Based leather conditioner ● No. 5 - Water-Based leather conditioner Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Straight Cleaner No.2 Will Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Remove Stains? We like to describe No.1 (Leather conditioner), No.4 (Auto Refreshner), and No.5 (Furniture Treatment) as 95% conditioner and 5% cleaner. These recipes (with a few variations) work splendidly at cleaning the surface of your leather.
Straight Cleaner is a blend of natural alcohols and other natural cleaners. If you need to put your leather through a more thorough cleaning, Straight Cleaner is a gentle way to do that. Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Straight Cleaner No.2, Cont While Straight Cleaner will lift a lot of dirt and stains from the pores of your leather, it is a natural cleaner and thus it can't necessarily compete with the strength of chemical-based leather cleaners.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Water Protectant No.3 Dig Deeper - What Is Water Protectant No.3? Water Protectant No. 3 contains a blend of heavier, natural oils and conditioners as well as a blend of natural waxes. This recipe was formulated for the harshest of weather conditions like rain and snow storms. While Water Protectant works great in harsh conditions, it also works well for your every day city rain shower or that accidental coffee spill.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Water Protectant No.3 Will Water Protectant No. 3 Completely Waterproof My Leather? Water Protectant will not completely waterproof every type of leather. It is formulated in such a way as to deeply condition leather while making it very water-resistant. Some more finished leathers will be much more water-resistant, even waterproofed, after application while more natural finished leather will absorb more of the recipe and become a bit less water-resistant.
What is the difference between Leather Care Liniment No.1 ~ Auto Refreshener No.4, & Furniture Treatment No.5? Do I need all three? The short answer is yes and no. All three leather care recipes are similar and can be used for general leather conditioning/cleaning with few differences. For example, you'd be just fine using Auto Refreshener on your leather sofa or Leather Care Liniment on your auto leather.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Ingredients, Toxicity & Allergies Are Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes Toxic? Chamberlain’s Leather Milk recipes are natural and non-toxic. As with all of our leather care products, our formulas are made from all natural ingredients and contain no saddle soaps, solvents or synthetic chemicals. However, we do use nut extracts and oils, which some people are allergic to. Click HERE to view our product Material Safety Data Sheets.
Our leather care formulas do contain some nut extracts. If you have a severe nut allergy, we do not recommend you use Leather Milk. Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Shipping Information Where is Chamberlain’s Leather Milk located, where can I buy it, and how is my order shipped? Chamberlain’s Leather Milk is a family owned business and our formulas are manufactured, bottled and distributed In-House, in the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas area.
numerous other online retailers. Orders purchased through our website and eBay are shipped by us personally, as are Amazon orders if purchased via "Seller Fulfilled." Amazon fulfilled orders and Saddleback orders handle their own shipments. Before Leather Milk is shipped off, we personally inspect each of our bottles, package them snug and sensibly, and ship them off with USPS, all the way to your front door.
Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, and the Vatican. If your country does not appear on the list, you might be able to purchase Leather Milk through Amazon or Saddleback Leather Company. We have a variety of vendors that carry our products.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Custom Leather Repair Shop Do You Know A Good Place To Repair or Restore My Leather? 33 | Page
Yes We Do! Chamberlain’s Leather Milk has an In-House leather repair shop with seasoned Leather Repair Experts. If you have a serious repair, or just want a professional to restore your leather product, then you made it to the right place. Here is how the process works: 1. Send us a picture of your repair/restoration need to repairs@leathermilk.com, title the subject “Repair” and you will receive a free evaluation and estimate. 2.
because treating leather skin is not at all unlike treating human skin. Like human skin, leather is strong and flexible, supple and healthy when it contains oils (or conditioner), and needs occasional care to remain healthy. Unlike skin, leather lacks the advantage of being alive. Leather, by its very nature, is dying.
to the elements and requires less maintenance, but has a slightly shorter lifespan and lacks the natural qualities of vegetable tanned leather. Both types have their perks, so it's best to determine which one suits your lifestyle before purchasing. Cut Tanning isn't the only thing that sets leathers apart; thickness and vitality are affected by how a tanned strip of leather is cut. There are five primary styles of cut leather: Full Grain isn't cut like other leather.
removed for esthetic reasons. Even then, some hints of the leather's former life remain, and the cut is altogether very durable, making it a highly competitive choice. Suede removes the top grain layer, and subsists of the weakest, most porous layer of leather. While not as durable as most leather, it requires little maintenance and has an uncanny softness that makes it a popular choice for luxury products. Suede leather is not designed for rough activities, and should see mostly casual use.
All leather contains pores. These pores are responsible for letting your leather breathe, receive conditioner, cleaner, and anything else small enough to sink into it. To prevent harmful substances from absorbing, and to give a nice esthetic quality, many leather producers will lace your leather with finish. Leather can be finished in two primary styles, or it might remain unfinished. Unfinished Leather is leather closest to its natural state.
Finished Leather is imbued with a barrier of highly protective pigments that ward away harmful elements. While it won't keep fluids from getting through, it will give you more time to deal with them before they absorb. Same with any treatment given to it - cleaners and conditioners will remain on the surface longer before absorbing, prompting some people to over-condition.
Soft Leather can look like cattle, but tends to behave like suede and nubuck. Calfskin, kidskin and lambskin all belong to this category. Soft leathers possess more delicate textures and naps, and will require delicate treatment. While easier to maintain, they are more vulnerable and less durable than cattle leather. These breeds are famous for their lovely scents and textures, even without getting cut down to suede or nubuck. Exotic Leather is most often procured for its unworldly beauty.
Endangered Species As wonderful as exotic leather is, it is important to respect the creatures that sacrificed to give you this gift. An estimated 10,000 animal species undergo extinction every year, and part of that problem is due to illegal poaching and trading of exotic skins. Most wildcats, including many subspecies of tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards, are on this list. Purchasing these leathers is a violation of international law, and ethically irresponsible.
5 Leather Care Commandments Rule 1: Know Your Leather Knowledge is power. If you know your leather's tan, cut, finish and animal donor, you can get a pretty good idea how it's going to behave even before treating it. When you purchase leather, ask the vendor what type it is, check the manufacturer's description or even look the leather up online. If you can't find what you need, you can often deduce the type with some hands on touch.
Leather's natural durability can take many beatings without pulling a stitch (some even take advantage of this to give their leather a personalized, rugged esthetic). Just try to keep your leather in mostly safe places, and pay attention to the weather. If you get lots of snow, it might be a good idea to use a leather conditioner or protector before taking it out of the house. Rule 3: Follow the Instructions This rule can't be stressed enough.
Rule 5: Treat Your Leather Sooner, Not Later You can't go back in time. If you walk into a rainstorm with unprotected leather, it can be damaged. If you leave that splash of mud on your leather all day, it can leave a stain. If you let your leather sit out in the sun without protection, it can fade and crack. Treat your leather sooner rather than later. Treat the spill now, and it won't set. Give it protection now, and it won't be soaked away by an unexpected storm.
leather cannot breathe, oil and contaminants on the inside will slowly rot structural fibers away, or else the lack of moisture and lubrication will dry it to ashes. This process may take a while, mind, but it's still important to clean and condition every now and then if you want your leather to go the distance. For routine cleaning, gently brush off any visible contaminants with a lightly damp cloth until everything looks cleansed.
● Read the leather cleaning recipe's instructions before using. Check the leather manufacturer’s recommendations for product maintenance, if possible. ● Test your leather cleaner in a discreet area of the leather with a white, lint-free cloth. Check for excess color rub off, discoloration, or any other negative effects after it dries. ● When ready, gently massage your leather cleaner evenly and thinly across the leather's surface.
● Test your leather conditioner in a discreet area of leather with a white, lint-free cloth. Check for excess color rub off, discoloration, or any other negative effects after it dries. ● Gently massage leather conditioner evenly across the leather's surface (uneven spread can lead to splotchy dry). Use a little at a time, only giving as much as will absorb, and allow the conditioner to set naturally. Do not use too much pressure when applying.
leather, or your backpack has an uneven texture, you might even try testing it in multiple places to make sure it will have the same, balanced effect. Frequency It is a good idea to clean and condition your leather at least 2-3 times a year. This may change depending on the amount of use your leather gets and the weather it is exposed to. If you live in a heavily snowy or rainy environment, you may want to add conditioner or protecting formula every couple months.
Most leather will last years and years without care if left to its own devices. That doesn't mean it'll look the same as it did fresh out of the tannery. Your leather's health depends entirely on how much work you put into it. So keep an eye out. Does your wallet have a rough, dry texture? It probably needs more conditioner. Has dust been sitting on your duffel bag? - Maybe it’s time for some deep cleaning. Is the color fading on your couch? - get it out of the sunlight.
among these is water: it's plentiful, frequent, and hard to avoid. Dust and dirt can also be a close contender in the right amount, but its effects take time to show, and some exposure can even be healthy. Excessive debris can build up inside your leather, choking its pores from the inside. Heat and UV rays can age your leather prematurely and possibly cause it to dry out and crack. Mold can grow when leather is left in places dark, warm and moist.
When leaving the safe confines of your home into the harsh elements, you can't go wrong with a bit of preparation. Know your environment, pay attention to the weather, and consider what you're going to use your leather for. If your leather's going to participate in a rough activity, give it some leather conditioner beforehand. If it's snowing, up that to a leather protector, like Water Protectant No.3.
dealing with unfinished leather, try to lay down a blanket or apply a protective conditioner early on. There are a few ways to remove body oil stains. One common method is baking soda or corn starch. ● Sprinkle the baking soda over the affected spot, and let it sit overnight. ● In the morning, if the powder has turned yellow, it has removed some oil. Dust the powder off. ● Repeat steps 1 & 2 until you are satisfied or until the powder stops turning yellow.
condition 2-4 times a year, or whenever the leather gets excessively dirty. To prevent using too much conditioner, test it first on your leather and only use as much as absorbs naturally. If leather darkens, use a leather dye to restore its color. Consult “Re-dye Leather” section for more information about this. Using sunlight to fade the color of your leather is not recommended. While sunlight can lighten up leather, sunlight’s inherent UV rays will do even more damage to leather on a chemical level.
● Treat grease stain with leather cleaner, and allow drying completely. ● After leather has dried, sprinkle corn starch or baking soda over the stain, and allow sitting overnight. If the powder turns yellow in the morning, it has absorbed some of the grease. Dust off and repeat. ● 2-3 times a week, apply cleaner, and in between sprinkle corn starch or baking soda. Repeat this process until stain disappears. ● Apply conditioner.
● Clean thoroughly with an alcohol based cleaner. You may need several cleaning sessions over a few days to fully remove mold. Keep an eye on the texture to make sure it doesn't get too dry. ● Wash hands and thoroughly clean or safely discard anything used to clean mold. ● Practice safe storing methods to prevent future mold growth on your leather. (See “How to Store Leather” section). Mud Usually comes in two varieties: brown and red. Brown mud is fairly easy to remove.
Odor Bad odors can be caused by numerous problems, including smoke, cigarette smoke, prolonged wetness, bad manufacturing, bad leather treatments, body fluids, and many other variables. Leather is porous and will absorb scents quickly. If your leather has had prolonged exposure to smoke, it may endure permanent chemical damage that can only come out with time. Here are a few tricks: ● Clean and condition your leather. Dry outside on windy day (but avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and direct heat).
Patina is a collage of beautiful colors and patterns that may or may not grow naturally overtime on your leather. It more frequently occurs on natural leathers such as vegetable tanned and aniline dyed leather. The changes in your leather as patina grows may be drastic or subtle, but they usually possess a lovely blend of honeyed hues and wavy motifs that breathe an air of antiquity. Growing patina is an art in the leather world.
You will first need to acquire the right kind of leather dye for your project. Bring your leather patient (or a picture of the leather) to a local leatherworking store, and get a color match. Ask to see the dye in action on a strip of leather similar to the piece you own. Once you find the ideal match: ● Clean your leather. Ensure there is no dust or waxy residue; this will impede the dye’s ability to absorb and may leave it splotchy after it dries.
Scratches Scratches occur more frequently with protected and finished leather, such as chrome tanned and pigmented leather. Light scratches on vegetable tanned and aniline leather can usually rub out. Fixing a scratch may take some time - the best way to minimize a scratch or cut is to maintain the leather's health around it, and allow the fibers to strengthen their bonds naturally. You can help this along with the following: ● Use an art gum eraser or a soft bristle brush.
stain, which is most visible on darkly colored leathers. The most efficient way to remove these stains is a thorough cleaning and conditioning regimen. There is also a common substitute, involving a touch of vinegar: ● ● ● ● Mix cold water with white, distilled vinegar in a bowl. Dab a lint-free cloth into the vinegar brew and gently dampen the salt stain. Dry up any residue and allow drying. After the leather has dried completely, follow up with a leather conditioner.
Tacky Leather If your leather becomes tacky after being treated, this usually means too much leather conditioner has been used. This is usually easy to reverse, especially when it is treated quickly. ● Dab up the leather surface's with a damp cloth to pick up residual oils. ● Apply a leather cleaner. This may take multiple sessions over a few days. Make sure the leather doesn't get too dry during this time.
Leather can also become sticky if a stain has set in, or if harsh chemicals have been in contact with it. Cleaning and conditioning can usually reverse these problems, or you can consult the remedy section of this book or a leather professional for more specific advice. Frequent exposure to body oils may suffocate leather's pores and cause a build-up of oils on the surface, resulting in sticky residue. See the "Body Oils" section for a remedy to this pesky problem.
● If your leather has been wet for some time and has developed water stains, it can be difficult to treat, and may not have the ability to be cured conventionally. In this case, it is best to seek a professional leatherworker. First, you might try your own hand: ● Wet the entire surface of your leather with a cool, wet cloth, starting from the edge of the stain. Be gentle about it, as too much pressure can harm your leather.
warned - they will cause permanent changes to your leather. If you are dealing with excessive wrinkling, it may be best to see a leather professional rather than trying to tackle this yourself. Using Heat (shrinks leather to remove wrinkles): ● Clean up your leather with a leather cleaner before you begin, and allow it to dry completely. Place a newspaper or packing paper over the wrinkles you will be removing. ● Heat will be applied using an air dryer.
● Use an alcohol-based cleaner on your leather. Make sure to test it first in a discreet area alcohol is a potent cleaner, and can be used to make it more pliable (lucky for us). ● Stretch your leather wrinkles after they have been moistened with alcohol. ● After the leather's been stretched, fill or brace it with something to help it keep its new shape. The most common ways of doing this are to fill the leather with newspapers or a shoe tree.
