Three Essential Steps for Leather Care

Leather is a natural, strong, and sustainable material. Quality leather can last years if not decades with the proper care. As leather ages it develops a beautiful patina - a reflection of its own personality over time. For leather to age properly, remain beautiful, and last for years to come it requires proper care and maintenance from time to time.

At Cobbler’s Choice, we believe the foundations of proper leather care consist of three essential steps - Clean, Restore, and Protect. These three steps will allow the leather to receive the quality care it deserves and help it last a lifetime. Below we are going to break down each step and their relevant components.

Step 1: Clean

To begin, the first essential step for proper leather care is to clean the surface of the leather. If you are cleaning footwear always make sure to remove the laces before beginning. Whenever leather is exposed to dirt, salt, alcohol or other toxic elements it is important to remove surface stains quickly, while they’re still fresh.

Using a Premium Shoe Brush or Microfiber Cloth, simply brush off any surface elements such as dirt and dust allowing for a completed naked surface. Then, spray the Cobbler's Choice Leather Cleaner onto a clean cloth and work into the affected area. Repeat the process as needed or until you’ve reached your desired outcome. Our Leather Cleaner is a phosphate-free formula, made with Tea-Tree Oil, that effectively penetrates the pores of the leather for a clean and long lasting clean. Repeat this step often and as needed, so the leather remains free from any toxic elements or stains. Cleaning leather is the quintessential precedent for restoring and protecting leather, and should be the most frequently repeated step for leather care.

Step 2: Restore

The second step for proper leather care is restore, which helps rejuvenate the leather and returns it back to its original state and luster. Conditioning will prolong the life of leather by providing the proper nutrients for it to heal. When conditioning, the leather will soak up the essential nutrients to moisten the surface, rejuvenate the leathers pores, and restore any scratches or cracks on the surface caused by wear-and-tear.

The Cobbler’s Choice Leather Cream and Leather Conditioner are made with a unique blend of seed oils and triple filtered beeswax which penetrate deep into the leather's pores, providing a safe and effective treatment. Unlike other leather conditioners, creams, and balms on the market, the Leather Cream and Leather Conditioner are petroleum-free, and will not dry out the surface of your leather over time. Simply apply the Leather Cream or Leather Conditioner onto a clean Microfiber Cloth and work evenly into the leather using a circular motion. Be sure to apply small amounts at a time to avoid oversaturating your leather. Working the products into the leather with the tips of your fingers often harvests the best results and help get any hard to reach areas.

When conditioning, it is completely normal for temporary darkening to occur. The color will more than often return to its original luster after a couple hours or wears.

Step 3: Protect

Last but not least, the third step for proper leather care is to protect your leather. Protecting your leather from the elements is the most effective preventative step for leather care and should be done prior to the first wear or use of any leather product.

Waterproofing Sprays do not last year round, and need to be applied as needed based on the exposure and environment. It’s best to apply a Waterproofing Spray at the beginning of every season, but in strenuous climates we recommend applying 2-3 times per season, if not more. The Cobbler’s Choice Waterproofing Spray is free of synthetic silicons, hazardous aerosols, and petroleum. The formula consists of distilled water infused with carnauba wax, which leaves an invisible shield over the leathers surface and without any waxy finishes. To use, simply apply an even coat over the leather's surface, work into leather, and air dry for 1 hour. For best results, we recommend repeating the process 2-3 times as needed.

The Waterproofing Spray is 100% all natural and safe to use on leather, suede, and nubuck. The Waterproofing Spray works to protect the leather from the elements, helping prolong the life of your leather products and keeping them beautiful.

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At Cobbler’s Choice, we take pride in every product we make. Clean, Restore, and Protect is the foundation of our company, and we believe proper leather care fosters long lasting beautiful results. There’s beauty in things that last, and we strive to offer effective, all-natural products that will sustain, nourish, and protect leather for a lifetime.