Almost everyone has a statement leather piece they absolutely love to wear in their closet, whether that be a leather coat, leather pants, or any other fashionable piece made from this versatile fabric. Leather is a timeless material that pairs well with virtually every style of clothing, and it has gained an excellent reputation for its durability.

But let’s face it; no matter how durable leather is designed to be, it still gets worn down just like any other fabric over the years (albeit at a much slower rate).

If you’re attached to your leather goods and want to keep them in pristine condition, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about the top 5 causes of leather wear and tear:

1. Water Damage

When it comes to clothing, water is one of our worst enemies. Even though leather is relatively resistant to harsh weather conditions, it is still a permeable material that will absorb some water. The most common problem that results from water damage is stubborn stains showing up on your leather item.

Water stains make an appearance when there’s a pool of water on your leather that is left to dry after not being wiped away. To prevent this from happening, give your leather goods a thorough wipe down any time they have been exposed to water. Your leather will thank you for taking the extra time to care for it!

2. Sun Damage

While you may enjoy a day of fun in the sun, your leather clothing definitely doesn’t get the same thrill out of it. In fact, sun exposure can cause some severe damage to leather. The heat that radiates from the sun causes moisture to form in the natural oils of leather, which results in slow evaporation and eventually dry, stiff material that easily cracks.

Another problem that can arise when sun and leather mix together is fading. The intense UV rays that come from the sun can fade leather in just a matter of months.

Try not to spend hours on end basking in the sun when you’re wearing leather goods. You’ll get to hold on to them a lot longer if you limit their exposure!

3. Scratches and Scuffs

Scratches and scuffs happen to leather clothing all the time, whether it be from an animal, a child, or your own fingernails. Luckily, leather is a very versatile material and has the unique ability to bond to itself. The bonding abilities that leather holds make it possible for scratches to be fixed.

There isn’t much you can do to prevent scratches and scuffs from happening, but less severe damage can sometimes be helped by rubbing a bit of olive oil on the affected area.

4. Rips

We don’t live in a perfect world and sometimes accidents just happen. Leather is a pretty sturdy material so it would take some pretty sharp edges or a strong pull to cause genuine leather to rip. Nevertheless, accidental rips are definitely a cause of wear and tear (emphasis on the tear part)!

Unless you have superior sewing skills and the right sewing material, it’s probably best to hand over your leather clothing to the professionals when a rip occurs.

5. Time

Everything ages with time, and this includes your leather possessions. Not surprisingly, the more you wear your leather clothing, the more it will get worn out, and the longer you own it, the more you use it.

One of the most common problems that comes with ageing leather is peeling. But just because your leather item is peeling, doesn’t mean you have to throw it out. Instead, take advantage of the professionals out there and get your leather restored!

There you have it, the top 5 causes of leather wear and tear. While some of these causes can be remedied or avoided by taking extra precautions, others are completely out of your control. Even though leather is one of the best materials out there, it isn’t completely invincible!

Why Love Your Leather

At Love Your Leather, we’re confident in our leather repair specialist’s ability to restore leather goods to their original form. We’ve been offering leather repair services throughout Ontario since 1987, and we have an extensive portfolio of our exemplary leather restoration work. Contact us today to get a free quote. We’ll keep leather in your life for the long haul!