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| buying clothing |
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silk
& rayon |
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household fabrics |
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environmental issues |
| protect
your wardrobe |
suede
& leather |
care label & problems |
When a person buys a leather garment they are usually expressing an appreciation for the beauty of a naturally occurring protective garment. Suede and leather provide great protection from the wind and cold. They conform to body shape and usage. They develop a patina with age. On the other hand, hides have natural variations and so do the companies that turn them into clothes.
Buying Suede & Leather
Examine each panel of
the garment. Try to find one where the leather is fairly consistent in flexibility
and color. Don't go for a tight
fit. Hides have been stretched during the tanning process. When cleaned
they may shrink a little. Check and save the care
label. Most will say they can be cleaned by a specialist and that is acceptable.
Many newer coats can be cleaned by your neighborhood cleaner. Avoid leather coats with
down, avoid fabric coats with leather trim that require leather cleaning
specialists. Beware of dark leather trim on light colored garments and multi
colored leathers and suedes. They may not clean satisfactorily. Check to see how the
seams are held together. Careful stitching is good. A lot of glued seams
suggest future problems during cleaning. Cleaning Suede & Leather
Expect the unique characteristics
of suede and leather to increase with wear and cleaning. The varying texture
of the panels may become more noticeable, shading changes may become apparent,
scar tissue and vein marks may become more obvious. Minor shrinkage may occur.Leather care
As you use your garment
remember that stains are not easily removed from leather and suede. Beer,
blood, and ink are common substances that provide uncommon difficulty for
the cleaner. Rain on suedes can create
stains. If a leather garment becomes wet, then let it dry slowly at room
temperature. Heat will cause shrinkage and stiffness. Wear a scarf to prevent
body oils and acids from soiling the collar area. Don't try to spot clean
suede or leather. |
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|
|
|||
| buying clothing |
|
silk
& rayon |
|
household fabrics |
|
environmental issues |
| protect
your wardrobe |
suede
& leather |
care label & problems |
|