We all do stupid things, intentionally or unintentionally. Slathering banana peels all over a shiny new leather briefcase doesn’t have to be one of them. After all, it’s your precious leather bag that’s at stake. One wrong step can put you at risk of discoloration or drying out your expensive leather bag. If you’re hoping to avoid the need for a tedious leather repair, pay attention to these leather care mistakes.

Don’t use Household Cleaner

Think your favorite dish soap or general cleaner is a dirty leather handbag safety boon? Big mistake. The leather has a slightly acidic pH level of 4.5. Mild dish soap, on the other hand, has a basic pH level of between 7-8, usually find their way to around base 10. The contrast between the pH level of the leather and the cleanser during contact can damage the leather fibers and can weaken the integrity of the leather time to time. Damage to the pH of the leather is usually characterized by cracked and dry leather.

Avoid Saddle Soap

As we mentioned earlier, soap tends to be alkaline on the pH scale which is harmful to acidic materials, such as leather. However, that doesn’t mean that Saddle Soap is all bad. In the 1800s, saddle soap was used after leather was tanned to restore its supple texture. The high amount of fat can also give the leather a nice glow, but hinder its ability to remove dirt, grease, and oil. Oils that fail to rinse off will dry out and accelerate the already harmful alkaline effect. It causing considerable damage to the leather pH and eventually cracking and drying out. As far as leather care goes wrong, your bag can become doozy if used frequently.

Strict Conditioning is Bad

Thirdly, we understand you want to get good stuff like smooth leather on your fingertips and a sea of ​​smooth pleasure to the touch. This is a tanning sensation. But patience is a virtue and a major key, and good things come to those who wait. Take a little time to look beneath the surface, and you’ll find leather absorbs dirty stuff quickly. If dust and dirt are left on for too long, the oils applied from the leather conditioner can cause the dirt to clog the pores and cause the leather to dry out. Worse, the leather conditioner will actually trap the contaminants inside the pores, making them more difficult to remove. Also be careful not to use conditioner! As you can give your leather a flabby texture and make it prone to stretching, one of the big and strong leather care mistakes.

Using Water Only Is Bad

Moreover there is an opposite of just using a leather conditioner. This is a very common leather care mistake. Water. Good water: small cost, big supply, from tried and true results. It would be a cliché for us to tell you that we wouldn’t be here without it. You’re not going to spend the rest of your life just drinking H2O. Milk is also good for the body, providing an excellent source of calcium and vitamin A.

In the same way, leather conditioners provide leather with the nutrients it needs to keep its protein bonds strong and healthy, both of which you won’t find much in them. And for those heavy-duty cleanings, excess water that soaks deep into the leather fibers can create a temporary bond with the oils that keep leather lubricated. As the water evaporates, the oil floats to the surface with the water and weakens the leather integrity. If you want your bag to stay shiny, balance is everything. Give the leather some milk!

Those are some of the common mistakes made in leather care, have you ever done them? if so, read how to take care of your leather bag to keep your leather bag safe.