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| Leather
Care
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Learn More About Leather
Leather is one of nature's most
versatile and sensual materials. It offers comfort
and durability in a variety of beautiful finishes,
textures and colors. tansmith Leather apparel
and accessories are designed with the quality
and pride that have made us the world-wide leader
in leather fashion. We know leather. Its characteristics.
Its value. The way it makes you look good and
feel good like any luxurious item should. Our
remarkable leather fashions provide years of pleasure
and long-lasting use. Through our experience we've
learned the best methods for maintaining leather.
The following information explains how leather
is made and the best ways to keep your leather
looking its best for years to come.
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| The History Of Leather
And How It Is Made
Leather has been made in various
locations around the world for more than 5000
years, and the first tanners guilds have been
traced as far back as twelfth century England.
Although tanning methods have changed with new
technologies, the end result is a product that
has been valued for centuries.
The first step in the modern
tanning method is to apply a protective treatment
to the hides (whole pelts from cattle) or skins
(the pelts of younger or smaller animals). Next
they are put through a chemical process to keep
them soft and flexible. Now the tanners can work
with the leather to adjust the thickness, color
and apply a variety of finishes. The end product
is sent to manufacturers, who cut and sew the
leather into apparel and accessories.
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The Look and Feel of
Leather
When most people see leather,
their first reaction is to touch it. The way leather
feels is called its hand. In general, the softer
the hand, the higher the cost.
The raw material, which is a
determined by genetics, greatly influences the
quality of leather. Every hide and skin has sections
that are naturally wrinkled, softer or thinner
in certain areas. Environmental factors, including
climate and food supply, also affect the final
product. Since leather is a natural material,
it is never uniform. Its small surface imperfections
create a unique beauty that can never be duplicated.
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Shopping Tips
- Consider the cut, style and lining that
work best for your lifestyle.
- The price of leather is mostly determined
by the quality of the raw materials and style
of the apparel or accessory.
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Leather Facts
- Leather is tear and puncture-resistant.
- Leather protects from heat, cold and wind;
and it repels moisture.
- Leather items are available in a variety
of weights and made with different linings
for comfort in warm and cold weather.
- Leather apparel stretches and molds to
your body, yet at the same time retains its
shape.
- Leather breathes -- that's what keeps it
soft and supple.
- Leather is an agricultural by-product of
the food industry. We purchase the hides and
transform them into beautiful leather apparel
and accessories.
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Leather Protection
and Care
- Use a high-quality water and stain repellent
product, like our
tansmith Leather & Suede Protector, to
help prevent water stains and soiling. Our
special formula is free of silicone and wax,
ingredients that break down the natural oils
in leather. We recommend tansmith Leather
& Suede Protector for all types of leather
and suede. Apply immediately after purchasing
your new leather item, and every two or three
months with regular use.
- Use a high quality leather lotion on a soft
cloth to moisturize your finished leather.
tansmith Leather Lotion is specially formulated
with lanolin oils to replenish natural oils
and protect all fine, smooth and grained leather.
Avoid using tansmith Leather Lotion on suede
or buffed leather (leather that has a nap).
- Avoid using cleaning fluid, shoe cream,
saddle soap and mink oil. These products contain
ingredients that may damage leather.
- We recommend that you test any protection
and cleaning products on a hidden area of
the leather.
- Don't keep heavy objects, such as key chains,
in your pockets. Doing so will stretch the
leather.
- Avoid applying hair sprays and perfumes
while wearing leather.
- Don't attach pins, adhesive badges or tape
to leather.
- Repair hems with a small amount of rubber
cement.
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Cleaning
- Gently blot liquid stains with a clean
cloth.
- Winter salt stains your leather, wipe with
a clean, damp cloth and dry naturally.
- Visit a professional leather cleaner for
more serious stains. Normal dry cleaning methods
will remove essential oils, causing the leather
to crack, fade and shrink. A cleaner who specializes
in leather care will use a different method
to clean and condition the leather. Even this
special process may cause slight variations
in color, texture, and shape; so it is important
to clean matching garments together.
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Care when wet
- If your leather becomes wet, allow it to
dry at room temperature. (Never put leather
in the dryer.) Then apply tansmith Leather
& Suede Protector. Buff suede with a soft
towel to restore the nap.
- If your garment has faux fur trim and the
fur gets wet, dry it with a hair dryer set
on the lowest temperature. Shake fur during
the drying process, and periodically during
wear to maintain loft and maximize appearance.
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Storage
- Store your leather coat or jacket on a
wide wooden, plastic or padded hanger to help
maintain its shape.
- Store leather in a well-ventilated, cool,
dry place. Avoid hot areas, such as attics;
or damp areas, such as cellars.
- Cover your leather with breathable cloth,
like cotton sheets, when storing. Plastic
bags or coverings will cause excessive drying.
- Wrinkles and creases in leather should hang
out. If ironing is necessary, place heavy
brown paper over the leather and use a cool
to medium iron. Take care not to overheat
the leather, which will cause it to shine.
- Avoid exposing leather to direct sunlight
or heat for prolonged periods of time.
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