Die richtge Pflege

New leather doesn't need any care? Wrong. If you want to enjoy your beloved shoes, leather jackets, wallets, etc. for a long time, you can't avoid taking the right care of them. But: not all leather care products are the same. Even though almost all leather is one color and surface-colored, there are still big differences in how they are cared for. The enormous selection of creams, oils, and fats adds to the confusion. We'll tell you which product is right for your favorite leather goods and what you should look out for when buying.

Many people avoid using any care products altogether for fear of using the wrong product. But that is the wrong approach: (Almost) any care product is generally better than none at all. Even if new leather initially has almost no risk of drying out or becoming brittle, you should start caring for the leather in good time. This is because light-colored leather in particular gets dirty quickly, shows visible signs of wear or, in the worst case, even discolors from clothing, such as dark jeans. There are special care products to avoid this.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING LEATHER CARE PRODUCTS?

In general, it is not just the quality (and price) of the care product that is important, but above all the type of leather that is to be treated. Leather can be new or used, matt or shiny, perforated, embossed or even have decorative stitching. If the leather is particularly valuable, higher quality care products should be used. Synthetic oils are used here, which do not go rancid and do not provide a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. In addition, additional UV filters prevent the leather from being bleached by the sun. It is advisable to do a "sniff test" when buying leather care products: a strong odor is not a problem for shoes, but can be unpleasant on jackets, bags or purses. If in doubt, the effect of care products can always be tested on a hidden area beforehand. In addition, the care product should always be applied with a light-colored cloth.