For professional baristas, chefs, craftsmen, and blacksmiths alike, leather aprons are a common accessory. In addition to shielding us, these aprons also enhance the fashion and aesthetics involved in our work. However, as a leather apron ages, certain steps must be taken to protect it from wear and tear. In this blog, we will detail five important pieces of advice to maintain leather aprons and their aesthetic qualities.
Take Time to Clean It
The first step to maintain the leather aprons is regular and consistent cleaning. Begin by dusting off or wiping out any accumulated dirt gently with a dry cloth before going on to any further cleaning. Thick stains can be cleaned by gentle scrubbing with a damp cloth that has been moderately soaped. Do not soak the leather or use too many chemicals as this will lead to discoloration and lead cracking. Regular cleaning does not allow the dirt and soil to aggregate and wreak havoc on the leather after numerous days of use.
Pro Tip: Ensure that you apply leather-safe leather cleaner meant for natural leather, it helps keep the flexed areas free of brittleness and replenishes the loss of natural oils.
Maintain Leather Aprons to Prevent People from Looking Oily and Ensure the Leather has proper Care to Prevent or It from Being Damaged
Just like skin needs moisture, leather also needs moisture to remain flexible and not develop cracks. There are products which are on the market today that aid in leather treatment when care is taken. Therefore, purchase a good leather conditioner and rub it now and then to retard the cracking of the apron. Finish by lightly scrubbing on some conditioner, waiting approximately 3 minutes, and polishing the leather with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.
Pro Tip: Springer always advises that the conditioner should be tested first on a hidden area before applying on a leather surface, particularly an apron for example. This is to find out whether the conditioner will change the color of the leather or not.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place
The right maintenance ensures that the leather apron will serve its intended purpose for a longer time. Do not overexpose it to direct sun because the UV rays will surely deplete it and make it dry. Further, prevent moisture retention in the area where you keep the apron to limit the overhead moisture which will encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
Pro Tip: For example, place the leather apron on the padded hanger instead of ordinary hangers to prevent the apron from bending and the related edges from sharpening. Ordinarily, don’t hang it up because it will cause crease lines on the leather used.
Exposure to Extreme Conditions Should be Avoided
Extreme heat and excessive moisture are the critical factors to which delicate leather tends to succumb. Several professions require working in heat, and if you are one of them, in some instances be careful where you place your apron. One can spoil the leather by drying it out thanks to being overexposed to heat. A wet apron, for instance, needs to be wiped with a towel and hung to dry in a breezy room.
Useful Information: When preparing lambskin or something similar and your apron gets soaked that will leave you annoyed!! Use water-proof protecting spray for leather used on aprons as its borders.
Safeguards the Leather from Sharp Instruments
Leather aprons are meant to be taken all the blow and torture that they can get. Calculate it – you are in a kitchen filled with knives or in a workshop filled with sharp tools and working. You might be concerned about where your tools lie to prevent your apron from unwanted penetration or scratching from the tools.
Useful Information: Obviously if the wearer freely uses a heavy equipment apron, more so one made of leather, it is best to have courtesy spray which protects the apron surface from gritty scratches.
Summary
If you keep all these 5 basic approaches in mind, you will be able to prolong the life of your leather apron and keep it looking new for many years. Regular cleaning, conditioning, storing appropriately, and taking care of the apron although not making it full-proof will take care of the apron’s look and your professionalism. This means if you pour in the right efforts in taking care of the apron be it for culinary tasks, art, or any tasks performed adorning the apron your performance will be improved and the durability of that equipment will be enhanced.
Begin following these procedures immediately. Your leather apron will be more functional for you while still looking great!
