Be sure to do some leather maintenance before the new fiscal year begins.
Hello!
He is the musician for HushTug.
March is coming to an end and the new fiscal year is fast approaching.
Many people will be entering a new environment in the new school year and making many new encounters.
To ensure you welcome the new year in a good mood, why not take some time to maintain your precious leather products?
So, this time we will introduce you to some leather maintenance methods that you should do before the new fiscal year begins.
Even if you don't usually do much maintenance, it is easy to care for, so if you're interested, please give it a try.
What regular maintenance should I do for my leather?
The following three leather maintenance methods will be introduced this time.
1. Oil maintenance
2. Waterproof care
3. Take out your bag and clean up
First, oil maintenance.
During the dry winter months, regular maintenance will help prevent the surface of the leather from becoming dry and flaky, and will keep it moisturized.
Don't worry, even if you don't usually do much maintenance, it is easy to care for.
Next, waterproof care.
If leather is left exposed to rain or water, the water will penetrate the leather and cause water stains and the leather will become soft and wrinkled.
Therefore, by taking waterproofing measures in advance, you can prevent water from penetrating and reduce the risk of water stains and wrinkles.
Furthermore, it is less likely to get dirty, making daily care much easier!
Finally, empty your bag and purse and clean them out.
Giving your leather product time to rest regularly will help prevent it from losing its shape.
What you need for leather maintenance
Before you begin, here is a quick rundown of the tools you will need to prepare.
Make sure you have all the necessary tools ready before you try it!
・Mink oil
The main purpose of oil maintenance is to replenish moisture and oil.
At HushTug we recommend mink oil, but any leather maintenance cream will do!
・Horsehair brush
It is used to remove dirt from areas where dust and dirt tend to accumulate, such as where leather overlaps or at the bottom of the bag, during everyday use.
・Cloth (for dry wiping)
This is a cloth to wipe off excess oil that comes out when applying oil. We use the one in the photo above, but basically any cotton material will do.
These are frequently used in leather care, so I recommend having some on hand.
As long as the material is cotton, you can use an old T-shirt as a substitute.
・Waterproof spray
At HushTug, we recommend using Collonil waterproof spray.
Fluorine-based waterproof sprays do not inhibit breathability, so they are gentle on leather products and are effective against not only water, but also dirt and oil. Choose a fluorine-based waterproof spray.
Oil maintenance procedure
Once you have prepared everything you need, the first thing to do is perform oil maintenance.
The oil maintenance procedure consists of the following four steps.
1. Brushing
2. Apply oil
3. Allow the oil to soak in
4. Finish by wiping dry
This video clearly explains how to use a brush and apply oil.
When performing maintenance, please try practicing while watching the video!
Step 1: Brushing
Use a horsehair brush to brush the entire bag to remove any dust or dirt.
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The bottom of the bag and areas where the leather overlaps are particularly prone to collecting dirt and debris, so be sure to brush these areas thoroughly!
Step 2: Apply oil
After removing any dirt from the bag, the next step is to apply oil.
Take an amount of oil (about the size of a coffee bean) onto your finger and spread it thinly.
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At HushTug, we recommend using your bare hands when applying the oil.
This is to prevent over-application and also because the body heat of your hands will melt the oil, making it easier for it to penetrate the leather.
Of course, if you don't like applying it with your bare hands, you can use a cloth!
Step 3: Let the oil soak in
After applying oil to the entire bag, leave it in a well-ventilated place for 15 to 30 minutes to allow the oil to soak in.
We recommend hanging the bag as the bottom is also oiled.
Step 4: Finish by wiping dry
Finally, wipe off any excess oil.
If you use it without wiping it off, it may get on your clothes or cause stains, so be sure to wipe it off!
Waterproof care instructions
Next, we will introduce the waterproof care steps.
The waterproof care procedure is as follows:
1. Remove dirt and dust from the surface
2. Apply waterproof spray outdoors
3. Dry
4. When dry, wipe with a cloth.
This video clearly explains how to waterproof your product, so if you would like to watch the video, please click here.
Step 1: Remove any dirt or dust from the surface
Use a horsehair brush to remove dirt and dust from the surface of the bag, as shown in the image below.
Brush the surface gently without using too much pressure.
Step 2: Apply waterproof spray outdoors
When outdoors, spray the bag evenly with waterproof spray.
If you hold it too close it will not be evenly applied, so use it about 20 to 30 cm away from the bag.
*Before using the waterproof spray, spray it into an empty space and make sure that it comes out in a mist without any problems before spraying it onto your bag .
If you pour it onto the bag right away, it may end up in grains, which could result in uneven application.
Step 3: Dry
After applying the waterproof spray, leave it for 20 to 30 minutes and let it dry naturally.
If you use it before it has completely dried, it may not be as effective, so be sure to wait until it has completely dried before using it.
Step 4: Once dry, wipe with a cloth
Once the surface is completely dry, wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
This completes the waterproofing process!
Unpack your bag and clean up
When it comes to bags for everyday use or work, many people probably say, "I just leave my belongings in it because I'll use it again."
In fact, if you leave luggage inside the bag, it will put stress on certain parts and cause it to lose its shape.
Therefore, on days when you will not be using your bag, such as on holidays, you can prevent it from losing its shape by removing your belongings.
While you clean the inside of your bag regularly, be sure to also give your leather products such as bags a rest.
Finally
This time we introduced how to maintain leather.
This is a basic care method that can be used for any leather product, not just bags.
Doing this regularly will make daily maintenance easier, so please give it a try.
Thank you for reading to the end.
HushTug