Why You Should be Conditioning Your Leather
Leather is an investment and is used everywhere. It is used to make boots, purses, wallets, car seats, saddles, and other items. If you own leather goods, you invested a lot of money into them and want it to look good.
The good news: when treated correctly, you can keep your leather looking great and also get decades of use out of it!
All leather is a skin, and just like we do for our own skin, it will need to be cared for and moisturized to prevent it from drying out which will lead to cracking. While using your leather, it is exposed to different conditions and leather begins to lose moisture. Once moisture is lost, leather starts to dry out and this can cause it to crack because the fibers will lose their strength.
Shoe polish will make your leather look shiny, but it doesn’t actually do anything to repair any damage or, more importantly, prevent the leather from drying out and cracking.
To avoid damaging leather and having it dry out and crack, a leather conditioner is needed.
A high-quality leather conditioner is designed to nourish the leather which will preserve and strengthen it.
Here are some benefits to conditioning your leather:
1) Prevents Cracking:
As mentioned above, conditioning your leather will prevent it from cracking. Because leather can no longer replenish itself with the necessary oils, leather conditioner will replace the oils it needs and nourish the leather to extend the leather's life.
A good conditioner will likely have a thick liquid consistency similar to a gel. This allows for the conditioner to penetrate the leather and be easily absorbed deep into the leather while it is applied instead of remaining on the surface.
2) Restores Beauty:
By replenishing the leather's oils, this restores the natural beauty of your leather. Using a conditioner, will bring back the rich luster that was lost through everyday use and will restore the beauty the leather had when you first bought it.
3) Remove Scratches:
Although you try to avoid it, through heavy use, your leather is likely to be damaged and get scratched up. A good conditioner will be able to remove surface scratches on the leather and get it back looking new again.
4) Water Repellency:
Without hurting the breathability of the leather, a conditioner will help repel water and reduce water absorption into leather. This helps protect the leather if you are caught in a rainstorm or other conditions where your leather is exposed to water.
As you can see there are many benefits to conditioning your leather. With a small amount of care, you can keep your leather goods looking great and enjoy many years, if not decades, of use out of them!
You can grab a jar of our leather care product here.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have about caring for your leather goods!
We want to help you protect your investment!
Free Shipping until Father's Day!
Father's Day is quickly approaching, but we've got you covered! We're offering free shipping on all orders placed now until Father's Day.
You better hurry though because time is running out. Be sure to place your order by June 15th to ensure delivery before Father's Day.
So this year, help your dad keep all his leather goods looking their best and get him our Complete Leather Care Box.
Time for Spring Cleaning!
With Spring officially upon us, it is time for some spring cleaning!
Most likely, your boots took a beating this winter season. You put your boots through a lot and now it is time to give back.
Our friends over at Cliff Original wrote a great piece on how to clean and maintain your boots.
Nothing takes more of a punishment than your boots. Heritage boots are not cheap. They deserve to be cared for and with proper treatment your investment will last a lifetime.
Your boots take care of you. Make sure you are taking care of your boots.
We've Moved!
We're happy to announce that we officially have a new address!
Our new mailing address is:
Blackrock Leather
PO Box 90306
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
We're excited for this new beginning in this amazing city that has so much history and heritage.
Please direct all mail and other communication to this new address. We can still be reached by phone at 877.858.7625 or by email at sales@blackrock-leather.com.
Thank you for all of your support over the years. We look forward to continuing to provide the best leather care products from our new home in Nashville.
Caring for Your Boots During Winter
Winter is in full force. There's nothing in your wardrobe that takes more of a punishment than your boots. During winter you put them through an array of elements including: rain, snow, sleet, and salt.
If you want to ensure the lifetime of your investment, follow these easy steps and your boots will be ready to go not only this season, but for future seasons to come.
1) Allow the boots to air dry.
If your boots are wet, the best way to dry them is to allow them to air dry slowly. To help them dry, stuff them with newspaper to absorb the moisture and change the paper as they dry.
Never put your leather boots near or over a direct heat source such as a space heater, fireplace, or blow dryer for an extended period of time. These may seem like good ideas for a quick drying method, but they will be harsh on the leather outside of your boots as well as the glues holding the layers together.
So be patient and give the boots time to dry.
2) Brush Your Boots!
An overlooked aspect of boot maintenance is brushing. Think of it this way: leather is a skin that has pores that need to breathe. Those pores can dry out and crack if they are clogged from snow, dirt, and other clogging elements.
Using a quality horsehair brush will help you to clean off the leather and clear the pores of any clogging elements. Remove the laces and brush the boot clean until you are confident it's clear of any elements.
Brushing your boots is important for the next step of conditioning.
3) Hydrate the Leather
Now that you have cleaned the boots, it is time to nourish them. Unlike our own skin, leather has no way to rehydrate itself. Applying a leather conditioner will rehydrate the leather and keep them supple.
Conditioning will keep the life in your leather and keep them looking their best.
There's plenty of conditioners out there so find what you like best. Be sure to test it on the leather first to avoid any unnecessary darkening.
We recommend our Leather N Rich because it is uniquely formulated to clean, condition, and water protect all leathers without darkening them.
4) Repeat and don't neglect
Sometimes it feels like winter lasts forever. You will need to repeat these steps depending on the elements and conditions you put your boots through.
Neglecting your boots may cause irreversible damage. So it's best to take the necessary precautions to keep your boots looking their best and ready to go.
Following these 4 easy steps will ensure your boots last a lifetime. Quality leather boots are made to handle any conditions, but caring for them properly will ensure they stand the test of time.
Let us know if you have any questions or if we can help you care for your boots! We're always happy to help.
Christmas is Coming!
We can't believe it either, but Christmas is only a week away! Time is quickly running out to finish your shopping.
We want to help you tackle your gift list this holiday season!
Need a last minute stocking stuffer or a gift for that leather lover in your life? We've got you covered.
Our Leather N Rich makes for the perfect stocking stuffer for those who love to take care of their boots. Be sure to also check out the Complete Leather Care Box. Everything you need for comprehensive leather care.
Get your gifts before the Holidays! Order by December 19, 11:59 PM EST.
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