People expect a lot when they invest in leather goods. Since leather is the most durable and expensive material used for bags, clothing, and accessories, it makes people expect things that are difficult to get with other materials.
One question that new leather buyers often have in mind is whether the leather is waterproof or not. The answer to this question is not as simple; we cannot say that leather is a 100% waterproof material as it has some water-resistant properties, but it is also true that too much moisture can damage your leather products. Leather is often used to create a document bag for men’s use which makes it important that the bag should be water resistant. Water can damage the stuff carried inside the bags, and this is the biggest reason for many people choosing leather bags because even if it’s not 100% waterproof, it is still better than most materials.
A little moisture on your leather bags cannot cause much damage to the material; however, excessive water can be a topic of concern for you. If your leather bag is too wet, the water will get mixed with the oil molecules of the leather and dry, which causes the leather to lose all its natural oils. The loss of natural oils can affect the flexibility of the material and make it more stiff. It becomes difficult to use a stiff leather product, and excessive water can also cause your leather goods to rot.
Water Resistance for Different Leather Types
As we mentioned, leather has water-resistant properties, but they depend on several factors. One of the biggest factors that determine whether your leather travel bag is water resistant or not is the type.
If you are an old leather user, you might already know that leather comes in different types and qualities. All leather goods are not the same, and they are not made of the same quality. Full-grain and top-grain leather are two of the highest-quality leathers. They provide the best benefits and have all the properties of real leather. They are also very expensive as compared to other types because of obvious reasons. Bonded leather is a lower-quality leather and is comparatively less expensive. There are also retailers who sell faux leather, which is quite affordable for people who don’t wish to spend so much money on real leather.
If you purchase real leather products, they will be more water resistant as compared to others. Full-grain and top-grain leather has better water-resistant properties, and they can put up with wetness better than bonded leather. Bonded leather might be one of the types of leather, but it doesn’t have the same properties. It is made with a very thin layer of leather which makes it not as durable and waterproof. However, it is still better than purchasing faux leather. If you buy faux leather, it is important to know that it won’t have water-resistant properties, and it might be better not to use it as a document bag for men’s use. Water can damage faux leather more seriously as compared to the other types. Hence, it is essential to invest in the right leather type.
How to Make My Leather Waterproof?
While leather has some water-resistant properties already, there are some ways you can ensure that your leather is waterproof and away from moisture. Following are some tips to make your leather waterproof.
Waxing
Waxing is a popular way of ensuring that your leather stays water-resistant. You can purchase a professional wax cream from the market or make one at home. Once you have the wax, you first need to clean your leather bag, as it is essential to start with a clean surface. Wipe the leather with a clean cloth to get rid of any dirt from the surface. After you are done cleaning, take a small amount of wax on a clean cloth and apply it evenly on the leather product. Don’t pour the wax directly onto the leather; always use the cloth. After applying the wax, let it dry naturally, and once it’s dried, buff off the excess wax from the bag with the help of a cloth.
Conditioning
Unlike waxing, leather needs to be wet for conditioning. This doesn’t mean that you need to drown your leather bag in a tub of water; it simply needs to be damp for the conditioning to work. Once it’s damp, start applying conditioner on your leather bag gently with either a clean cloth or your fingers. Make sure it reaches all the edges. After you have applied conditioner to your leather product, wipe off the excess product and let it dry naturally. Don’t use any artificial means to speed up the process and let nature take its course.
It is also important to know that waxing and conditioning don’t work on all types of leather, so make sure your leather type is apt for these procedures before you start doing them.
What Happens if Leather Gets Wet?
Despite taking care of it, there are instances where your man bag leather might get wet. In that case, the following are the steps you need to take.
Dry the Leather
The first thing you need to do is dry your leather. You need a clean and dry cloth to wipe the moisture off your leather bag, don’t use any artificial heat-like dryers, as they will damage the leather even more.
Condition
After wiping the excess moisture off your leather bag, you can apply the conditioner with a clean cloth or your fingers. It will replenish the oils that might have been lost after coming in contact with the water.
Conclusion
As a leather owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your leather goods don’t come in contact with excessive moisture. While there are things you can do to save your leather after being wet, it is always better to try and avoid water as much as possible.
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