Cowhide is one of the most common types of leather and has many positive properties. However, owners of such products quickly ask themselves the question: How do I care for cowhide properly?
This depends on various circumstances. Leather care depends, among other things, on the type of leather involved. Smooth leather requires different care than suede.
Whether it's shoes, a sofa or a bag - there are home remedies and ready-made products for leather care that make cowhide care no problem. Below we explain everything that needs to be considered when caring for cowhide .
Smooth and rough leather must be distinguished when caring for cowhide
When it comes to cowhide care, the care requirements depend on whether it is smooth leather or suede. Smooth leather describes types of leather where the grain is processed on the outside. It is one of the most durable types of leather, but needs regular care.
A leather milk or leather care lotion is well suited for the care of smooth leather, as it protects the surface from environmental influences. Dirt can be easily removed from smooth leather using a leather cleaner. When caring for matte smooth leather types, it is important to avoid greasy care products, as the structure could otherwise be destroyed.
Caring for suede leather on cowhide – this is how it’s done correctly
Suede is significantly different from smooth leather: the surface is sanded and therefore significantly more breathable. However, compared to smooth leather, this also makes it more susceptible to damage from moisture. Suede requires particularly sensitive care, which above all avoids moisture.
If you want to care for and clean rough leather , use a gentle brush to remove dirt. You can then use a suede conditioner to care for the leather and make it more resistant to environmental influences.
Caring for old leather – make brittle cowhide shine again with the right care
Caring for old leather is important, and caring for cowhide leather requires a combination of refreshing and caring. Whether you want to care for a leather wallet that has seen better days or your favorite armchair, the first step is to give it a thorough cleaning. If it is a large piece of furniture, treating it with leather grease or Vaseline is a good way to care for cowhide leather.
Once the brittle, old leather has absorbed enough grease, you can polish off the residue with a soft cloth, which will make the leather softer again. You should never use grease on suede, as this will ruin its breathable properties.
When used correctly, classic cowhide care involves polishing with grease to close cracks and make your leather look fresh and new again. Be careful: if used incorrectly, cracks can turn dark. If you notice that the leather has already been badly damaged, you can also seal it as part of the cowhide care process.
You apply this to the surface with a soft cloth and work your way from seam to seam. Then you let the product take effect and dry without further polishing. This form of cowhide care is usually only carried out once, but if the damage is severe, you can carry out another process after 24 hours.
Caring for oiled leather: cowhide care made easy
Oiled leather is particularly easy to care for because the layer of oil already protects it from external influences. You can use household products for leather care such as Vaseline - with a high fat content - or leather grease. It is important that you do not apply the grease directly to the leather, but first to a cloth and then rub it onto the surface.
For example, if you want to care for a leather wallet, put the oily cowhide care product on a microfiber cloth and rub the wallet thoroughly with it. Now give the leather care time to take effect and leave the treated item for a few minutes. Now go over it again with a clean microfiber cloth and thoroughly remove the excess and oily leather care product.
It is important that you never use excessive amounts of care products when caring for cowhide, but always use them sparingly. If too much fat gets on the leather surface, it will become greasy and absorb dirt and dust much more quickly.
Caring for white leather – the right cowhide care comes from the household
It makes a difference whether you want to care for white or black leather. White leather can almost always be cleaned with household products, so caring for cowhide leather is inexpensive and extremely straightforward. Baking soda and baking powder are good options because these two household products remove grease stains and absorb the grease. Milk is suitable if you need to remove ballpoint pen residue from your sofa, and discoloration can also be removed this way.
For black leather, however, you can mainly use mixtures of vinegar and water to clean and care for the leather. For optimal black cowhide care, you should also use a care lotion with a sun protection factor. This way you can prevent your leather from suddenly fading and the rich black turning into an unsightly grey.
Leather handbag care – ensure an attractive appearance in the long term
How do I care for leather? How can I care for grained leather and what is important when caring for cowhide? When buying a new handbag, leather is a very popular material, but have you thought about how to really preserve its beautiful appearance? Over time, cracks and signs of wear can appear in the leather surface, making the leather unsightly. But don't worry: with the right cowhide care, you can remedy the situation and make your handbag shine like new.
It is important that you first determine the type of leather. If you want to care for pigmented leather, you have to proceed differently than with wet leather. Basically, the first step in caring for cowhide is a thorough cleaning. Do this with a soft brush that does not scratch the leather surface, but still removes dust, grease and dirt.
When cleaning a suede handbag, it is important that you apply a waterproofing agent. When caring for cowhide with a smooth surface, greasing is crucial to ensure that your handbag is protected against dirt and dust.
The leather grease ensures that the surface of your handbag is protected and that UV rays do not cause the color to fade. Once a year, as part of the cowhide care, you can also apply leather wax, which acts like a waterproofing agent over the smooth leather and protects it from external influences.
The frequency of cowhide care: How often should you care for leather?
Whether it's a sofa, handbag, comfortable armchair or the interior paneling in your car, when it comes to cowhide leather care , you don't need to use the appropriate products every week. The care requirements for leather care also depend on how much a product is used and what condition it is in. If you notice small cracks on your sofa and the leather looks brittle and dry, it's time for the necessary leather care.
However, if the condition is good, it is sufficient to care for the cowhide once or twice a year. Areas that are subject to heavy use, such as the driver's seat in your car or the couch that is used frequently, can also be cared for four times a year.
It is important to remember that when it comes to cowhide care, the motto "more is better" does not automatically apply, as you can overdo it with leather care. If you use a leather cleaner every week or constantly add grease, the leather surface will quickly look greasy and therefore become more susceptible to dust and dirt.
Conclusion: Leather care is important to increase durability
You can throw a fabric bag in the washing machine and it will be dry again the next day. But why is it that cowhide leather needs care so that it stays in shape and you can enjoy it for a long time? Leather is a natural material that is considered extremely robust and can give you a lifetime of joy. But since natural materials are more sensitive to environmental influences, they need more care.
You will notice a similar effect with wood. If you have a wooden table made of solid real wood, you can keep it for life. However, it does require care and the same goes for leather. It is important that you do not wait until your leather has already been damaged to start caring for it, but immediately after you have bought it. With the right leather care, you can look forward to a long-lasting product.