How to Clean and Care for Your Leather 1 | Page
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.
Table of Contents Cont… Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Ingredients, Toxicity & Allergies 27 Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Shipping Information28-29 Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Distribution Information30 Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Custom Leather Repair Shop Information31 Leather Tips & Education 10132-65 *Tips & Education 101 Include: 32-33 33-35 35-36 37-38 39 40-42 43 44-45 46-47 47 48 49 50-51 What is Leather & Tannage Cuts of Leather Finish of Leather Animal Donor Endangered Species & How Leather Works
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. As Saddleback grew, so did the shipping company. Because they were also handling quality control for Saddleback, they wanted every Saddleback piece to be lightly conditioned before being shipped out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-psh2uxZJU Chamberlain’s Leather Milk – Restoring Leather https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmIMK-b6Gto Leather Care Liniment No. 1 – Leather Conditioner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I41r_f5uiE&feature=youtu.be Straight Cleaner No. 2 – Leather Cleaner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwewKc7yftg Water Protectant No. 3 – Leather Protector https://www.youtube.
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. If too much is applied at once, it clogs up the pores going down, and the rest forms a sticky residue on the outside.
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. Restoring Over Conditioned Leather If your leather becomes tacky after being conditioned or treated, this just usually means too much product 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 Chamberlain’s Straight Cleaner No.
Restoring Over Conditioned Leather Cont ● Apply more Chamberlain’s Leather Milk conditioners and treatments if you feel your leather needs it, but only as much as naturally absorbs, to avoid over-conditioning. Lots of contact with sunlight can also cause leather to grow tacky. This is both due to the excessive heat, and harmful ultraviolet rays which break down your leather on a chemical leather.
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.
general, you will know it is time to re-apply if the surface of your leather begins to look chalky or feels dry to the touch. Will I Need Any Additional Materials When Applying Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes? ● All Chamberlain’s Leather Milk formulas include a FREE reusable cotton terry leather conditioner applicator pad. ● It’s always handy to have some plastic or newspaper to protect whatever surface you choose to use. ● Kill any existing mildew.
How Do I Apply Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Recipes? ● Use your FREE reusable cotton terry leather conditioner applicator pad that came with your purchase. ● Test all products in a small, discreet area of your item first. This is important – because leather is a natural substance, each piece is unique and thus may react differently to conditioners and cleaners. ● If it is really dirty, clean the surface of your leather with Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No.2 – Straight Cleaner. Apply No.
● Chamberlain’s Leather Milk No. 4 (Light Conditioner and Cleaner with UV Protection Added) - for use when leather is exposed to direct sunlight as in your automobile and/or 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.
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.
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.3 Conditioner will slightly darken some leather, so be sure to test it on a small “hidden” area if you are concerned.
● Chamberlain’s Leather Milk recipes are not recommended for soft, suede, vinyl or simulated leathers. 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.
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.
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. If the dirt, grime or substance is on the surface, Leather Care Formulas No.1, No.4, and No.5 will clean it. This is usually all that is needed for regular leather upkeep.
They have to be to lift those really set-in stains! We recommend trying our gentle leather cleaner before graduating to solvents, saddle soaps or synthetic chemical cleaners. When Should I Use Straight Cleaner No.2? Straight Cleaner is for those times you want to give your leather a more thorough cleaning or when you need to lift a stain that has set into the leather fiber. You don't need to use Straight Cleaner every time you condition your leather item.
condition leather while making it very water-resistant. Some more finished leathers will be much more water-resistant after application while more natural finished leather will absorb more of the recipe and become a bit less water-resistant. As the oils in the leather evaporate and the waxes wear off the leather over time, the leather will become less water-resistant. How long that is depends on the exposure conditions and type of leather you have. Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ~ Water Protectant No.
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.
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. We are located deep in the heart of industrial Fort Worth, Texas! Our offices are located at 5501 Egg Farm Rd, Suite #150, FW TX 76244.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk Shipping Information Cont Does Chamberlain’s Leather Milk ship outside of the United States? We do! Due to our limited resources we have had difficulty shipping to some locations. On some occasions, we've had to temporarily stop until we can arrange a more reliable system for ensuring our customers receive their purchase on time and in good condition.
Who can I contact if I’d like to carry Chamberlain’s Leather Milk in my store or become a distributor? We are always looking to expand our retail network. We'd love to get to know you better and see if your store or website would be a good fit for our products. Please contact Aaron Snow our Director of Business Development ~ aaron@leathermilk.com ~ for further information on stocking and distribution.
Do You Know A Good Place To Repair or Restore My Leather? 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.
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. Tannage Using a trick known to man since the days of the hunter-gatherers, leather crafters infuse rawhide with preserving chemicals that prevent decomposition almost indefinitely - a process known as tanning.
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. Apart from the icky stuff pulled out before the tanning process, this leather is left to behave in much the same way as it did when it was living skin.
Nubuck is a close cousin of suede. Instead of using the fleshy layer of suede, nubuck uses a sanded down top grain. The leather is buffed and trimmed until it develops a napped, velvet-like texture. It's a little stronger than suede, slightly less strong than top grain, and has a tactile proclivity to die for. Bonded Leather is an inferior grade cut. It's what happens when leather that's considered too low quality to sell is shredded up like paper and glued back together.
Semi-aniline leather includes a mixture of aniline dyes and a light covering of protective pigments. These pigments will provide some protections against spills and weather, while retaining some of the leather's more natural qualities. This type is the bridge between finished and unfinished leather - an excellent choice for anyone caught in the middle between quality and security. Finished Leather is imbued with a barrier of highly protective pigments that ward away harmful elements.
Cattle Leather is leather just like you'd expect. The most common varieties are sheepskin, goatskin, pigskin, and ubiquitous cowhide. These leathers are fairly easy to maintain and very forgiving, with straightforward care routines. On top of that, they're also sturdy, long-lasting, plentiful (with an affordable price to match), and possess lovely natural qualities. There's good reason this breed is chief of the pantheon. Soft Leather can look like cattle, but tends to behave like suede and nubuck.
summary of what to expect from exotic leather - they're a wild card. The point is to enjoy its unique beauty, and treasure it as long as it lasts. 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.
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 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. Be it from the leather briefcase's manufacturer, the vendor who sold you your purse or the back label on the conditioner bottle you are about to use - if rules are given, follow them. Do your research first.
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. This rule isn't just important for your leather. When you take initiative now, you take control - not merely react. Treating Leather Armed with these tenets, you are ready to get started; everything from here on out deals with the daily know-how of practical leather care.
Every now and then, your leather will need a stronger punch to pull out the muck and restore the luster. This can occur when you begin to see the color fade, the texture roughen, the surface become abnormally dirty, or allow enough time to pass that you feel your leather is due for a refreshing. This is the time for deep cleansing and conditioning, the backbone of leather care. Deep Cleaning usually precedes conditioning.
Conditioning has a close parallel to its human counterpart. Like skin conditioner, leather conditioner lubricates and nourishes leather, strengthening its fiber bonds and giving limited protection. Without conditioner, leather will eventually dry out and wither, unlike human skin, which produces its own oils. When conditioning, follow the same rules as you did cleaning. ● Read the leather conditioning recipe's instructions before using. Check the leather manufacturer’s recommendations, if you can.
Testing leather treatments is essential. Using an incompatible conditioner on your leather may permanently darken it, or flatten its nap, or cause endless other calamities. Even if you are using a conditioner that is recommended for your leather, it is still a good idea to test it first to get an idea how it will respond. Once you know how your leather will react, it is easier to adapt to its needs and maximize your treatment's effects.
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.
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. Even using the wrong types of leather cleaner or conditioner for your leather can lead to unexpected results. In the remedies below, we'll talk about how to deal with some of these problems. But in the meantime, just make sure you give your leather the occasional check up now and then.
Remedies & How To You've got the basics down for leather care. In this next section, I'm going to share several leather care tips with you using both home remedies and professional treatments to get your leather back in pristine shape. There are a variety of ingredients lying around the house you can use to restore your leather. For more efficient and lasting treatments, however, it is usually best to purchase a leather care recipe specifically designed to treat your leather.
You will also likely need to give the leather several treatments of alcohol-based cleaner. Make sure that the leather does not get too dry after several treatments. If the leather does begin to feel dry, or after you are finished cleaning, apply a leather conditioner. You can also apply the baking soda or cornstarch in between cleanings, when the leather is completely dry. Darkened/Faded Leather Darkened leather cannot always be cured conventionally.
cleaning/conditioning routines. If it does not, and you notice a distinct change in color, you may want to switch leather recipes or consult a local leatherworker. Grease If fresh, blot up grease with a cloth. Don't rub or smear it, or you'll push it further into the pores. Treat sooner rather than later. When you've picked up all the grease you can, apply a leather cleaner. ● Treat grease stain with leather cleaner, and allow drying completely.
● Health is your primary concern. Whenever working with mold, take care that you are well protected and in a safe cleaning environment. In this case, you should be wearing gloves and a mask, and working outdoors to prevent breathing in toxic fumes, or allowing them to spread throughout your house. ● Use a soft, bristle brush to brush away the mold (away from people or animals). ● Clean thoroughly with an alcohol based cleaner. You may need several cleaning sessions over a few days to fully remove mold.
● Buff with dry cloth to remove excess moisture. ● Follow up with leather cleaner, and condition the leather after the stain is lifted. 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.
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. Patinas can be encouraged by allowing leather less protection and more exposure to elements with only enough cleaning to keep it in shape. Using strong conditioners and protectants will delay patina.
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. ● Place a newspaper around your work area and put masking tape over any part of the leather you don’t want dyed. ● Test the leather dye on a discreet area of your leather with a cotton bud, and allow drying. If it dries well with no discoloration, it’s safe.
● Use an art gum eraser or a soft bristle brush. Gently rub in direction of the scuff until it begins to fade. ● Clean and condition the leather. Several treatments may be necessary. If one conditioner isn't un-making the cut, try upgrading to a heavier conditioner, or a leather paste. ● Scratches do not disappear – they are only covered up. If a scratch is deep enough, it may not be able to be covered up, and will require a professional. In this case, seek out a local leatherworker.
Generic stains can usually be treated with a simple cycle of cleaning and conditioning. If the stain is fresh, gently blot up as much as you can with a slightly damp cloth (don’t rub or smear), sooner rather than later. If you don't have a cleaner or conditioner handy, temporary cleaning substitutes such as white, distilled vinegar or rubbing alcohol may serve as substitutes, so long as they are tested first.
Lots of contact with sunlight can also cause leather to grow tacky. This is both due to the excessive heat, and harmful ultraviolet rays which break down your leather on a chemical leather. It goes without saying, try to avoid giving your leather prolonged exposure to excessive heat and strong sunlight. You might try placing a windshield cover over your car, covering your sofa with a blanket, or even give your leather a UV protectant, like Auto Refreshener No.4.
● After you have cleaned the moisture up and the leather has dried, apply a leather conditioner. ● 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.
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.
● 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. ● Allow your leather to dry in cool, clean location away from sunlight and heat as it sets. ● Follow everything up with conditioner to restore the lubricants lost from cleaning.
