Leather aficionados would know the charm that a patent leather product exudes. Instead of being ‘just’ a leather product, such items boast of immense shine and gloss, making them a class apart from the normal leather products. The elegance and flair of a patent leather item makes it a perfect choice not only for formal occasions, but also in case of sporting a casual look. In the present times, patent leather has emerged as the latest rage, what with shoes, outfits, belts, purses and even clutches being made from it. However, just as we know that every coin has two sides, in the same way, even patent leather has its own list of advantages and disadvantages. Though it is one of the most elegant leather products, patent leather is difficult to maintain, mainly because of its hard finish. Such items require excessive care and maintenance, to increase their longevity and shine. In case, you have a patent leather product and are wondering how to maintain it, this article would be of help. In the following lines, we have provided some of the extremely effective tips for patent leather care.
Image: S. Diddy@flickr
How To Care For Patent Leather
Cleaning Tips
- One of the simplest ways to care for patent leather products would be to indulge in regular cleaning. Whenever you sport such a product, make sure you clean it later. For those who regularly use patent leather items, mineral oil would be the best bet. Take a cotton ball and apply a drop or two of mineral oil on it. Now, gently rub the surface to clean away all the dirt and dust. This is the best way to maintain the shine and gloss of a regularly used patent leather product.
- In case you do not have easy access to mineral oil, cleaning the patent leather product with a clean dry cloth would also be a fine option. Take a soft dry clean wash cloth and rub it on the bag or shoes. You can even use a damp cloth for the purpose.
- Another way to retain the shine and newness of a patent leather product would be to use petroleum jelly. For this, take a damp wash cloth and clean the patent leather surface. Once the surface has dried, take a little amount of petroleum jelly over a dry wash cloth and apply it over the leather surface. Leave it for about 5 to 6 minutes, before buffing the surface.
- In case your once-lovely patent leather bag/shoe now sports scuffmarks on its surface, do not fret. Scuffmarks can easily be removed by acetone-based nail polish remover. All you need to do is dip a cotton swab into acetone nail polish remover and carefully buff out the scuff marks. Make sure you wipe off the excess acetone, using a tissue paper.
- For those who have white patent leather stuff, using toothpaste would be a good option to explore. Dab a small amount of toothpaste onto the scuff and leave it for a while. Later, rub the entire surface with washcloth, to give it a clean and shiny look.
- In case you are in a hurry and do not have time to use any of the above methods to remove the scuff marks, using black shoe polish is advised. However, make sure you do not make it a habit, lest your expensive patent leather product goes for a toss. Also, this method is only applicable if you have black patent leather product.
Storing Tips
- Just like cleaning, proper storage is also important for maintaining patent leather products. When not in use, make sure you wrap the patent leather items in a dust cover. Also, take care to keep the product in a safe place, to avoid wear and tear.
- In case of storing patent leather bags, it would be great if you fill them up with rags or plain papers/ tissues. This would help avoid the formation of any creases and also help maintain the actual shape of the bag.
- For patent leather shoes, follow the same storing technique as employed in patent leather bags. Fill the pair of shoes with plain papers, up to the maximum capacity. This will ensure that there are no creases developed over it, allowing you to preserve the shape of the shoes as well.
- An important feature you should take care of, while storing patent leather products is that no two patent leather handbags or shoes of same pair should touch each other, when stored. Also, make certain that they do not touch any other item, as this might lead to scratches and scuffs.