Leather is a very attractive, hard-wearing and costly material that can be used in various applications including upholstery, footwear, clothing and even personal belongings such as bags and wallets. It is durable and tends to have a longer lifespan than other materials; which is why for example, motorcyclists wear leather to protect themselves in the event of an accident. As resilient as leather can be though, it still must be cared for in order to keep it looking and feeling like new. The idea of regular leather cleaning and maintaining your leather assets may sound tedious, expensive and time consuming. However, professional leather cleaning and conditioning is the only way to properly maintain leather finishes, ensuring they don’t crack or deteriorate, and stay feeling soft and supple for longer. If you own something which is made of leather and use it often, it’s quite easy to overlook its gradual aging and wearing. This oversight can continue until the day you notice damage and deterioration on the leather at which point it may be costly to fix. Whether it be stains, a build up of grime which has led to discolouration or cracking and flaking of the leather itself, the longer you put off professional cleaning and conditioning, the harder, and more expensive it will be to repair or restore.
Below are the top 5 reasons to consider professional leather cleaning:

Prevents Damage / Build-up of Oils, Dirt and Grime
Regular use of your leather over time will result in accumulation of dirt and oils from your skin and clothes, which inevitably leads to the unfortunate soiling or damaging of the leather. Additionally, if your leather is lighter in colour, there is the risk of discolouration due to contact with other darker dyed materials such as jeans. The longer you allow these foreign substances to accumulate and soak into your leather, the harder it can be to clean. Having your leather professionally cleaned and conditioned on a regular basis will not only prevent the build up and accumulation of dirt and oils, but will also aid in the longevity of the leather’s protective coating, thus resisting absorption of future dirt or spills, and keeping the leather feeling soft.

Increases Durability / Lifespan
Whether it’s furniture, garments, footwear or accessories, leather items are not cheap and should be considered an investment. Just like any other investment, you want your leather to look great and last a long time. Taking care to have your leather professionally cleaned and conditioned will increase its durability and keep it looking fresher for longer than if you were to leave it untreated. Regular cleaning and conditioning with high quality products will increase your leather’s lifespan and allow you to enjoy it for many years.

Keeps it Feeling Comfortable and Looking Great
Much like our own skin, leather can dry out and crack if not properly cared for, making it less comfortable and looking unappealing over time. If neglected, leather will quickly deteriorate and will lose its soft, smooth feeling. Professional leather cleaning involves the use of various fit-for-purpose, high-quality, and well-tested cleaning products which help keep your leather clean, help maintain the top coat seal and keep it feeling supple for longer. If non-specific leather cleaning and conditioning products are used to maintain leather, it will result in it drying out, damaging the top coat seal, and eventually splitting and cracking. It is imperative that non leather and vinyl specific cleaning products (such as Spray n’ Wipe or soapy water) are not used when maintaining leather upholstery. Despite the wives tales that promise a fantastic result, they will actually result in the opposite occurring, and will lead to the breakdown of your leather and vinyl.

Saves on Significant Effort In Doing it Yourself
Cleaning leather by yourself is often perceived as being a huge hassle. For one, depending on the size of your leather item, cleaning it could be very time consuming. Secondly, it is also strenuous work. Thirdly, if you’re already balancing a busy schedule, it can be rather difficult to find time for the tedious task. Lastly, without the professional ‘know how’ of properly cleaning and maintaining your leather, you run the risk of using the wrong products or cleaning methods which can cause damage to your leather rather than restoring it. In the time it takes to research the proper cleaning techniques for your item and then spend the money on expensive leather cleaning products, you’re far better off hiring professionals to take the stress off your shoulders.

Helps Maintain Resale Value
Purchasing items made of leather can put a hefty dent in your (leather) wallet. Leather furniture is often an expensive, long term investment, so it would be nice to know that if or when you decide to no longer use it, you have the option of generating some return on your investment by selling it second hand. In order to get the most when selling your used leather, it’s essential that the item/s be well maintained and in good condition for the next owner. You can achieve this via regular professional cleaning and conditioning.