Caring for and cleaning nubuck leather is easy and can even be done with household products . If you pay attention to a few things when caring for and cleaning nubuck, nothing can go wrong.
If you want to care for and clean your nubuck leather using household products, you should know what your leather likes and what it doesn't tolerate so well. We have put together some tips and information for you.
What exactly is nubuck leather?
In the world of leather, a broad distinction is made between rough and smooth leather , with nubuck leather being one of the types of suede . The general term suede covers types of leather whose surface is roughened.
Suede and velour leather are also rough leathers; they differ in their manufacturing process and in which animal was used for production.
Nubuck leather is usually made from cow or calf skin , using the so-called grain split. This is the side of the leather that was on the outside, i.e. where the animal's hair was.
The surface of the nubuck leather is sanded, creating a velvety soft look and feel. Nubuck combines positive properties such as
- high breathability
- and comfort .
It is also more robust and durable than its suede counterparts. If the nubuck leather is properly impregnated, it is extremely water-repellent .
Because of its great similarity to suede, it is often confused with it. The name is also based on confusion. In English, suede is called "buckskin" and since it was a new process, it was called "New Buckskin".
Over the years, the abbreviation Nubuck was created from the term "New Buckskin".
Nubuck leather care: This is how it’s done!
Before we talk about proper care , you need to know that your nubuck leather is a little afraid of water and prefers to stay in the shade rather than in the blazing sun. If stains do find their way onto the nubuck, we will explain to you here what is important when cleaning nubuck.
How to clean and care for nubuck leather properly
Step 1: Remove dust and dirt from nubuck leather
Regularly remove dust and dirt from the nubuck leather. A nubuck leather brush is best for this. This is particularly recommended for cleaning your nubuck shoes.
Step 2: Wash off light soiling
For light and large areas of dirt, you can use a dishwashing liquid and water mixture. Simply add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to lukewarm water, fill it into a spray bottle and spray the leather evenly with a fine mist.
Let it work for a while and then brush it out.
Step 3: Remove grease stains
For fresh grease or oil stains, you can also use baby powder, baking powder or baking soda . Sprinkle the stain generously and leave it to work, even overnight.
Then gently brush out the remaining powder with the nubuck leather brush or vacuum it carefully.
Step 4: Remove stubborn stains with nubuck leather eraser
Stubborn stains can be removed with a special nubuck leather eraser , but please never rub the leather too hard.
Step 5: Apply leather care
After cleaning, the nubuck leather needs a good dose of care. For this you can use a waterproofing spray specifically for nubuck leather. If you don't feel comfortable cleaning it with household products, you can also use a leather cleaner that is suitable for nubuck leather.
When cleaning and caring for nubuck leather or leather in general, it is important that you never rub it too hard , as this could damage the surface. You should also always let leather dry slowly , so never place it on a heater or in the sun.
Expert tip: We would like to recommend that you always test all cleaning products, whether household remedies or professional cleaners, on an inconspicuous area.
Nubuck leather care: dyeing nubuck leather
An important part of nubuck leather care is color refreshment . Has your nubuck leather sofa been in the sun for a long time or have your nubuck leather shoes and bags faded? No problem, you can refresh and care for the color with special sprays.
It is important that you make sure that it is suitable for nubuck and has the right color . Before you use the spray, remove dust and dirt from the leather, ideally with a nubuck leather brush. Now you can apply the spray, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions and test it on a small, inconspicuous area first.
Once you've done that, the nubuck needs to dry. It's also important to know that refreshing the color of light nubuck leather is a little more difficult than dark nubuck leather. You can then care for your nubuck leather by applying a waterproofing agent , which will protect it from water and keep it well cared for.
How do you waterproof nubuck leather?
Nubuck leather is a more delicate type of leather and requires special care to protect it from moisture and dirt . To waterproof nubuck leather, you should make sure the leather is clean and dry. You should then treat the leather with a special nubuck leather care product to protect and nourish it. The care product should always be colorless to avoid discoloration.
There are special waterproofing sprays for nubuck leather that you can buy in specialist shops or online.
- These should be sprayed onto the dry leather , making sure to spray the leather evenly and from a sufficient distance.
- It is recommended to apply the spray to the leather from a distance of about 20 cm.
- After this impregnation, the leather should dry completely before you use it again.
Impregnation should be repeated regularly , especially if the leather is used frequently or comes into contact with moisture. Use special care products for nubuck leather and follow the instructions for use.
Oiled nubuck leather requires a special type of care and waterproofing . Since the leather is already oiled, it should not be treated with water- or silicone-based waterproofing sprays, as these can destroy the oil layer and thus damage the leather.
Instead, a special waterproofing spray for oiled nubuck leather should be used to provide optimal protection. You can also find a suitable care product in specialist shops, but also online.
Refreshing nubuck leather: Better not to wax or grease
In contrast to the care of many other types of leather, nubuck leather care does not involve greasing the leather goods. The big problem with greasing nubuck leather is that it is no longer rough afterwards, but smooth.
So greasing nubuck leather is not a good idea. You should also avoid wax.
Alternatively, you can care for nubuck leather by keeping it clean and protecting it from the sun.
Conclusion
Nubuck leather is often described as being "difficult to care for", but you now know that this is not the case. Of course, nubuck should not take diving courses or spend a lot of time sunbathing, it should be regularly cleaned of dust and dirt and also regularly treated with waterproofing.
If your nubuck leather has had one too many sunbaths, you can easily refresh the color.
If you take these things into account and care for the nubuck leather, you will have a long-lasting, loyal companion at your side, which is also a real beauty.
FAQ
How do I waterproof nubuck leather?
To ensure that the nubuck leather is properly protected from dirt, water, snow and UV rays, you should purchase a waterproofing spray for nubuck leather from a specialist retailer. Spray this evenly onto the previously cleaned nubuck. Please always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Which brushes can I use to clean nubuck leather?
Brushes with wild boar hair are particularly good for removing dust. If the nubuck is slightly dirty, use a brush with rubber bristles. You can buy these brushes from specialist retailers, and you can usually buy sets consisting of waterproofing protection and a brush.
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