Can water-stained leather be restored? You are walking in the middle of a road and your precious leather handbag slips away from your hand and falls into a roadside dig full of muddy water. Is it destroyed? Let’s pray it is not.
Read this blog to explore what to do with water-stained leather after a similar situation.
What is meant by water-stain on leather?
Observable harm left on leather surfaces after water exposure for an extended period is called water stain on leather.
The highly porous structure of genuine leather, leather oil and water mashup, improper cleaning, environmental factors, leather quality, and aging can be the prospective factors behind water-stained leather.
So, can water-stained leather be restored?
Yes! Water-stained leather can be restored depending on the extent of damage and product quality.
Bit-by-bit guide to restore the water-stained leather
Here is a gradual strategy to restore the water strains from leather products.
◈ Swab up water straight away
The potential damage to leather as a result of water touch is linked to the period of contact. The longer the contact period severe the damage.
Therefore, soak up the water from the surface of the leather right away with the help of a sponge. Please don’t try to clean the water with a wiper-like instrument as it will only deeply percolate the water.
◈ Clean the stain
Pick a piece of cloth and humidify it with warm water (Do not add any detergent). Start rubbing from the center of the stain and move towards the edge.
Do not rub so hard ( It can damage leather). This will stop the stain from moving deeper into the leather structure.
◈ Allow to dry
Now allow the wiped leather to dry for some time. Preferably, put the leather under sunlight or dry air.
◈ Use a leather restorer
When it dries, use an appropriate leather restorer to reinstate the classic appeal of genuine leather. No more struggle to find a befitting leather restorer, click the link right away.
Post water-stained restoration care and maintenance
Here are some pocket tips to care for water-stained leather after restoration.
- Do regular cleaning of leather products to keep them away from dust.
- Make a strict leather conditioning plan and follow it religiously.
- Protect the product from moisture to avoid water-staining again. (preferably use a protective cover while using the product in a moist environment)
- Store in a breathable, cool, and dry space when not using the leather product.
- If you are not satisfied with self-care, go for a professional cleaning service.
Conclusion
OK! Your valuable leather product gets ruined temporarily by water-induced stains but it is not the end of the story.
With immediate rescue response, the right restoration strategy, and disciplined post-restoration maintenance, you can bring the shine back to your leather item.
Start the restoration process with a small test and then do it on a larger scale to cheer the true pleasure of your investment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1: Can we remove water stains on leather at home or professional help is mandatory?
It depends on the damage to the leather surface. However, for ordinary water stains, you can treat them at home. And for high damage, you should seek professional services.
2: How can we differentiate between a permanent and a restoreable water stain on leather?
A stain with a permanent change in color and texture of leather will be categorized as a permanent stain while a surface-level stain without any remarkable structural damage will be called a restore-able stain.
3: Please recommend a credible leather color restorer to apply on damaged products.
Yes! you can order it directly from the store by clicking the link.
4: How much time does it take to restore water-stained leather?
Again it depends upon the damage caused by water stains to the leather structure. However, on average it takes around 5 to 7 hours for complete restoration.
5: What common mistakes people do while restoring water-stained leather?
People commonly use cleaning agents that have heavy chemicals such as glass cleaners, baby wipes, abrasives, degrease, etc.
They all badly damage the texture and fiber of leather. Therefore, do not use them, instead apply an exclusively made leather conditioner.