Pflegetipps für alle Lederarten: So geht's richtig!

HOW TO CARE FOR SMOOTH LEATHER

The term "smooth leather" refers to types of leather whose grain side is processed outwards. Cow leather is usually used to produce this comparatively durable leather, but lamb leather, goat leather and calf leather are also often used.

With a special leather cream for smooth leather, you can protect your leather bag from environmental influences such as moisture, dirt and UV radiation. Smooth leather can also be cared for and kept supple with leather grease. However, matte smooth leather types can lose their characteristic structure as a result of this, as the leather is polished after the leather grease has been applied.

Alternatively, use a leather care milk or leather care lotion.
Light soiling can be removed with a special cleaning foam and a clean cotton cloth. After cleaning, care for the leather as described above and re-impregnate your leather product.

HOW TO CARE FOR NAPPA LEATHER

A special smooth leather is chrome-tanned, full-grain nappa leather. It is usually made from lamb leather and sheep leather or even buffalo leather. Due to its high-quality and supple surface, nappa leather is valued for its natural grain structure. Real nappa leather is never embossed. It would be too bad for that! Depending on how the nappa leather was processed, a distinction is made between unsealed aniline leather and lightly pigmented semi-aniline leather.

Aniline leather is a nappa leather with an unsealed pore structure. The leather is very soft and breathable, but also more sensitive than semi-aniline leather with a slightly pigmented surface. The less the surface of the nappa leather has been treated, the more sensitive it is to dirt, grease, moisture and sunlight.

Like sensitive skin, nappa leather needs a lot of care: Clean your nappa leather products with a gentle cleaning foam. You can freshen up the color of your leather product with special leather creams. Then impregnate the leather with a wax spray that gently protects the surface.

HOW TO CARE FOR PATENT LEATHER

Patent leather differs from other types of smooth leather due to its surface treatment. Here, too, the grain side is processed on the outside, but it is completely covered with a layer of varnish that gives the leather its shiny appearance. Patent leather is airtight and water-repellent, which makes the leather very resistant to moisture. However, scratches and abrasions on this high-gloss leather are immediately visible.

You should never use products containing solvents to clean and care for patent leather, as they will damage the shiny surface. Dirt such as fingerprints is best removed with furniture polish, used sparingly. Special high-gloss sealants from specialist retailers promise emergency help for scratches. These are applied and polished with a clean cloth.

HOW TO CARE FOR SUEDE

The key difference between smooth leather and suede is that the surface of suede is sanded or split. This makes the leather particularly soft and breathable, but it is also more sensitive to moisture and dirt.

Suede and nubuck leather require special, sensitive care. When cleaning suede, you should avoid moisture. Instead, try to brush off dirt with a soft suede brush or remove it with a special dirt eraser. You can roughen up the leather regularly with a brush or suede sponge. You should then treat your leather product with a suede care product and re-impregnate it. Ideally, you should repeat these care steps every six to eight weeks.

HOW TO CARE FOR SUEDE

The highly roughened, open-pored suede is very breathable and has a particularly soft feel. Suede is created by turning the rough inside of the leather - also known as the flesh side - to the outside. By splitting the leather, leather can also be created with a suede surface on both sides.

Leather grease and liquid cleaning agents as well as water are an absolute no-go for suede! Classic shoe polishes are also not suitable for suede. Instead, clean the sensitive leather with dry cleaning agents and brush it with a suede brush. Then treat it with a suede lotion. Allow the care to absorb, gently brush the leather again and impregnate it with a suede impregnation.

HOW TO CARE FOR NUBUCK LEATHER

Compared to suede, nubuck leather is a slightly smoother rough leather. During production, the smooth grain side is sanded, giving the nubuck leather a very fine, velvety pile that changes noticeably when you stroke it. To prevent nubuck leather from getting dirty or fading, it is essential that it is carefully cared for and impregnated.

The more the surface of the nubuck leather is roughened, the softer it is, but also the more sensitive it is. The sensitive nubuck leather absorbs moisture and fats like a sponge. This creates stains that are difficult to remove. You should therefore protect your nubuck leather products from moisture and never allow them to come into contact with care products that contain fat.

Like suede, nubuck leather is best cleaned with a soft leather brush or dirt eraser. You should also use a nubuck leather brush for regular leather care. Roughen the material carefully. You should then reseal the leather with a suede impregnation.