Taking Care of Your Leather Rock Apparel

So we here at The Odd Portrait Fashion and Design

create fun fashion forward rock apparel out of genuine leather and everything is made in the U.S.A. but that wont keep it from getting used and abused during rock concerts, post apocalyptic wasteland travels, and hot date night outs. So I put together this little easy list to help you understand whats on your leather and how you might be able to fix it

Care for your product

Leather can be virtually indestructible if treated properly. With a little bit of care and attention, your new leather will last well into vintage age and your vintage leather will continue to have a long happy life.

The most important things to remember about leather is not to get it soiled, soaked, or let it dry out. Despite the fact that all of these things can be rectified to some extent, it is helpful to not let leather get into such a condition in the first place.

Follow our Rock Fashion and Style Blog

OMG MY LEATHER GOT WET! or ( I was drunk and went swimming with my new gear on )

If leather gets too wet: Dry it slowly. Speed drying leather changes its chemical structure, and you end up with stiff crinkle cut chaos. So room temperature with gentle air works better than direct heater time with hair-dryer. And keep it in the shape you want it to end up.

STAINS ON LEATHER

Even leather isn't adverse to stains, especially if it's vintage and lived a previous lifetime before finding its way into your closet. However, you're not required to live with the stains of its past; most leather stains will come out easily with a little soap and water. It is even possible to remove blood, oil, and wax in some cases.

LEATHER ODORS AND STAINS

Leather can be stubborn about holding on to odors. You may be able to locate a leather specialist or dry cleaner in your area that can remove the odor, but it won't come cheap. Instead try removing unwanted odors at home. There are many safe and gentle methods of removing odors like using baking soda.

ITS SO DRY

Your Leather After A Hard Night Of Partying

If leather gets too dry: Rub something moist into it. Pick a leather dressing or cream, preferably recommended by the maker. Leathers can have paints, waxes, oils and all sorts of things applied to their surface, so you probably want to pick something similar to how it came.

A BIT DIRTY AND GRIMY

If leather gets dirty Just use a damp cloth. You don’t want to be putting any soaps or foreign substances in there.

THE SHAPE OF MY ITEM IS CHANGING!

Leather stretches out, but not back: If you start to overfill a wallet, it will never really return to it’s former taut self. If you stretch a leather bag when wet or very humid, it will move even faster. Just learn to carry the right amount, and this takes care of itself.

STORING LEATHER

Storing leather properly when it is not being used is the most important thing you can do to keep it in its best condition. When leather is stored it should not be in extreme hot or cold, or in excessive dryness or humidity.

Don’t wrap it in plastic going back to that Cryovac analogy, it can help to think of leather as having the life frozen rather than completely killed. Hans Solo still needed a tiny bit of air, and so does your leather. What you’re really trying to stop is any mildew growth, so keep some ventilation going.

WHAT TO AVOID

Although leather is very durable, it is not indestructible. Improper care or cleaning can crack and dry leather skin, remove finishes and colors, or make it too stiff to wear. Keeping leather away from chemicals, heat, and humidity are key. If leather is like skin, think of its care as anti-aging; if you wouldn't put it on your own skin, it probably isn't very good for the leather either.

-Ariana Deats +The Odd Portrait