The result can be a spotty, stained appearance and a loss of the suppleness of the leather, leaving it brittle… even cracked. If the water takes a long time to evaporate, the leather can even begin to rot.
If your leather apparel has dried with water stains, use a lukewarm, damp cloth to gradually work the water spots out, covering the entire area with a sweeping motion. Dampening the entire area will fade the water spots. Let the leather air dry and apply Leather Honey Leather Conditioner.
It's this shedding of natural oils that causes the leather to lose its supple quality and become stiff and brittle. Water can also cause staining and can move dyes leaving streaks and spots. And if the leather doesn't dry quickly enough, it could even start to rot.
When leather gets wet, the oils in the leather bind to the water molecules. As the water dries and evaporates, it draws out the oils with it. The leather's loss of natural oils causes it to lose its supple quality and turn brittle.
It is possible to soften and restore the leather by using Leather Revive. Leather Revive is a water-based oil emulsified conditioner that works to soften leather by replenishing the fatliquors.
Water easily permeates leather. Leather contains oils that make the material durable and flexible. When the leather absorbs water, the oils combine with the water molecules. You don't want this to happen because as the leather dries, the oils evaporate with the water molecules.
Rain, or any type of water, can damage the suppleness of leather. If left untreated, the leather will turn brittle and crack. Any water or moisture can cause mold and fungus to grow on (or in) your bag. This mold will discolor the leather, causing stains, and a funky smell.
Wearing a leather jacket in wet weather is possible, but it can lead to damage to the jacket if not done properly. Leather is a porous material that can be affected by water, leading to discoloration, stiffening, or cracking. Natural leather, in particular, is not naturally waterproof and can be easily damaged by rain.
The leather is dried as smoothly as possible by hanging on hooks or over bars at normal room temperature and increased air movement, if possible. Depending on the type of leather, this can take up to several weeks.
When leather gets wet, the water molecules bond to the oils in it and draw them out as the water evaporates. It also moves the dyes around, destroying a smooth, even color and creating spots and streaks.
If you don't take care to clean it right away, the stain can become permanent. A good leather restoration kit will have a protectant or other leather cleaning items that can help you clean the stain without damaging the leather, as products with harsh chemical can…
Leather and water don't mix very well, although leather does have a degree of natural water resistance. This is okay if it comes into contact with small amounts of water (such as light rain), but as natural animal leather is a porous material, it will never be 100% waterproof.
The easiest way to make leather water resistant is to wax and condition your bags, shoes and accessories. You can do so separately, or do both with one product. One option is beeswax cream.
Overall, waterproofing sprays work by filling the pores in fabric — whether leather, canvas, suede, or otherwise — with a material like silicone that repels water.
Real Leather is made from animal hide. It is a by-product of cows which have been processed for their meat. Real Leather is durable, however it needs to be well maintained to prolong its life. Real Leather will fade in UV exposure, and it will degrade with age.
Vaseline can be used for softening leather. Before applying Vaseline to leather, start by dabbing a small cotton pad with rubbing alcohol over the leather surface. You'll want to dab each section of the surface until it starts to shine. Try to make the shine even across the entire surface.
To properly repair your leather couch or restore scratched leather, use a moisturizing leather conditioner like Leather Honey Leather Conditioner to recondition the area, restore lost moisture, and camouflage scratches or marks.
Common candidates include oils, sap, dried mud, adhesive residue, and manure. For leather work boots use WD-40® Multi-Use Product to restore your boots to good condition. Spray the formula directly onto areas with stains, grease, or other grime and let the product sit for several minutes.
Real leather is porous and because of that, it cannot be 100% waterproof. Instead, think of leather as water-resistant. While your shoes or handbag will fare well while quickly stepping into the rain to get to your car, this isn't the same as submerging leather.
Vaseline will temporarily waterproof your leather superficially but it is a petroleum based product that your leather will definitely not like! Petroleum products will dry out and cause your leather to crack. Beeswax and pine resin are the two essential ingredients to make your boots truly waterproof.
Semi-aniline leather is water resistant and provides extra protection against spills. The finish provides a barrier against liquid absorption. Semi-aniline leather offers superior durability and does not require any additional treatment. Liquid spills will puddle on top of the surface.
Be sure to avoid these products when cleaning your leather: Baking soda, white vinegar, cream of tartar, and lemon juice. Some sources online cite these common household products as a DIY solution for cleaning leather. This is actually false as they can be extremely harsh on the material and make stains worse.
How to clean leather with vinegar: This may sound surprising, but vinegar can work wonders on leather. If the stain is older, tougher, and the leather is more durable, grab a cleaning cloth and dampen it thoroughly with white vinegar, then gently rub the stained area.