How do you clean the leather on your bag or shoes?

Reconnaître les différents types de cuir — Everything you need to know before starting leather cleaning

There are many different types of leather, and they don't all clean in the same way. So it's important to know what type of leather you're cleaning. Here are the most common types
- Smooth leather: this is the most common type of leather. Its surface is smooth, uniform and slightly shiny. It's easy to clean.
- Grained leather: more textured than smooth leather. Scratches and scuffs are less noticeable than on smooth leather, but it collects dust more easily.
- Suede leathers (nubuck or suede): these are leathers whose outer or inner surface has been sanded. These materials have a soft, velvety appearance. They are more fragile than smooth or grained leather, requiring delicate cleaning and special care.
- Delicate leathers: Nappa leather is a fine, supple leather. Exotic leathers come from animals such as snakes or alligators. These special leathers are particularly delicate and require special care.

Identify the type of leather before you start cleaning your item. Incorrect treatment can damage the surface!

Les pièges et erreurs les plus courantes —

Le nettoyage du cuir peut sembler simple mais méfiez-vous de certaines erreurs courantes qui abîmerai votre cuir :

- N'utilisez pas beaucoup d'eau : Trop d'eau détrempe le cuir et peut le déformer.
- N'utilisez pas de savon classique : C'est un produit trop agressif qui va assècher la matière.
- Ne séchez pas votre cuir près d'une source de chaleur : le cuir va durcir et perdre sa souplesse.
- N'utilisez pas de lingettes nettoyantes ou d’alcool : Ces produits fragilisent la finition protectrice du cuir.

Les nettoyages simples et les nettoyages d'entretien régulier sur cuir lisse ou grainé peuvent être réalisés à la maison sans trop de risque. En revanche, pour enlever une tâche profonde ou pour nettoyer un sac en cuir suédé, il est préférable de confier votre article à un artisan cordonnier expert. Les artisans TILLI réparent, nettoient et entretiennent vos sacs, chaussures et vêtements en cuir pour prolonger leur durée de vie.

What products and tools should I use to clean leather?

Wondering what to use to clean leather? TILLI craftsmen present their favorite products and tools for cleaning our customers' leather parts.

Les produits Saphir : un gage de qualité et de durabilité —

In the TILLI workshops, our shoemakers and leatherworkers use only high-quality products to clean, care for and protect leather. They often choose products from the Saphir brand.

Saphir embodies French excellence in leather care. This family-run business combines quality, tradition and innovation. Saphir products are designed with natural raw materials, without resins or silicones. More than 30 types of waxes and precious oils are used in their products.

In addition to product quality, TILLI artisans are proud to use Saphir products because they share a common vision and values. Saohir defends a responsible and sustainable vision of consumption: giving priority to high-quality pieces and offering them appropriate care to preserve them over time.

Les bons produits pour le nettoyage du cuir —

Saphir offers a wide range of products for cleaning all types of leather:

- Cleansing Lotion: Lotion Nettoyante removes all types of dirt. It offers protection and brilliant shine after polishing. Recommended for thorough cleaning of all types of leather, even imitation leather. Suitable for regular cleaning.
- The Shampoo: This Universal Shampoo is a gentle foam cleaner designed to clean a wide range of materials: smooth, grained and suede leathers, textiles, crepe, stretch fabrics and synthetic fibers. Ideal for bag care.
- Black Stallion Soap : How do you clean dirty leather? This soap is perfect for that. It thoroughly cleans heavily soiled and clogged leather. It helps care products to penetrate better. The formulation of this soap allows regular use without damaging the leather.
- Universal Cream: This is a multi-purpose care product for smooth and grained leathers. The cream gently cleans, protects, revives shine and keeps leather supple. It's ideal for leather shoes, bags and clothing (you can even use it on leather furniture!).
- Gommadin: This soft eraser is specially designed to clean and remove dirt from suede leather.
- Sneaker Cleaner: This product is specially designed to clean city or sports sneakers. It is a foam that is applied with an applicator and removes dirt without damaging delicate surfaces such as nubuck or fine leather.

Les outils indispensables pour nettoyer le cuir —

Good equipment makes all the difference:

- A horsehair brush: this type of brush removes dust before cleaning conventional leather.
- A crepe brush: this brush is designed to remove dust and dirt while gently straightening the suede fibers. If you use it regularly, it's best to keep one brush for darker leathers and another for lighter ones.
- A soft microfiber cloth: this type of cloth is ideal for applying products evenly and without scratching.
- Cotton buds: cotton buds are useful for cleaning hard-to-reach nooks and crannies.

Nettoyer un vêtement, un sac ou des chaussures en cuir lisse — Steps to clean the leather of your garment or accessory

Here's how to clean leather pants, leather bags and smooth leather shoes.

1. Dust your item with a cloth.
2. Apply a small amount of cleaning product with a soft cloth, using circular movements.
3. Leave to dry for a few minutes, then polish with a clean cloth.

To finalize the care of your leather article, we recommend applying a nourishing product.

Nettoyer un vêtement, un sac ou des chaussures en cuir grainé —

1. Brush gently to remove dust and dirt lodged in the grain.
2. Apply a small amount of cleaner with a soft cloth, using circular movements.
3. Work the product into the creases where dirt accumulates.
4. Leave to dry for a few minutes.

To finalize the care of your leather article, we recommend applying a cream to nourish, moisturize and protect the material. How to clean white leather

How to remove stains from leather

To clean a stain on leather, it's essential to act quickly and with the right products. Depending on the nature of the stain and the type of leather, different solutions are available.

Enlever une tâche de graisse sur du cuir —

Leather tends to absorb greasy substances. Immediate action is required.

For a recent stain on smooth leather, sprinkle with terre de Sommières, leave for several hours, then brush gently. For an older stain, apply a little diluted white vinegar to a clean cloth.

On grained leather, use the same procedure as for smooth leather, but use a soft brush to work the terre de Sommières into the grain.

On suede leather, apply a generous amount of Terre de Sommières and leave overnight before brushing gently with a crepe brush.

Enlever une tache sur du cuir blanc ou nettoyer un cuir blanc jauni —

Leather "drinks" liquid, and coffee and ink stains are very difficult to remove. This is why white leather is particularly delicate. You may be able to reduce the stain by cleaning, but a trace will surely remain. However, TILLI craftsmen can offer to revive the leather by recoloring it.

Nettoyer de la moisissure sur du cuir —

If you're wondering how to clean a leather jacket that has gone moldy, or your leather has taken on moisture and developed traces of mildew, here's what you can try:

On smooth, grained leather, start by brushing gently to remove spores. Then clean the leather with a mixture of 50% white vinegar and 50% water. Leave the leather to air-dry, away from a heat source. Don't forget to apply a nourishing lotion to prevent the leather from drying out.

On suede leather, rub gently with a crepe brush.

Comment enlever du chewing-gum sur du cuir —

To remove chewing gum stuck to any type of leather, use an ice cube:

1. Place an ice cube in a plastic bag and place it on the chewing gum to harden it.
2. Once it's cold and hard, gently scrape it off with a wooden spatula or your fingernail.
3. Clean smooth or grained leather with a cleansing milk to avoid streaks. Brush suede leather afterwards to restore its original appearance.

Un bon entretien du cuir demande du temps et les bons gestes. Si vous avez un doute ou que votre cuir nécessite une restauration plus approfondie, les artisans cordonniers TILLI sauront redonner vie à vos accessoires avec un nettoyage professionnel et adapté.