Leather is a durable and cool material, and is often used in clothing, shoes, and furniture. However, just like any other material, leather can wrinkle if it is used too often or not stored properly. Luckily, if you know how to do it, it's quite easy to tidy up tattered leather clothes. Simply soften the bruised part with low heat and a little steam so that the leather material remains good and durable.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Pulling the Leather Material
Step 1. Prepare hangers
Attach the hanger to the leather garment that needs sprucing up. Make sure the hanger you wear matches the type of clothing. For example, if you want to tidy up a jacket, wear a wide hanger to ensure that the pressure created when the jacket is pulled doesn't cause crease marks at the shoulder line.
- For shorts and trousers, use a hanger with rubber-based tongs and attach a clothesline to the waist area so that the entire pants can be hung.
- For objects that are too large and cannot be hung, the technique of pulling the leather material may not be suitable.
- Avoid using metal hangers, as these can bend while holding the weight of the clothes.
Step 2. Hang the clothes in a sturdy place
You need to hang the clothes in a place that is not only strong enough to support the weight of the skin, but also not sturdy enough when the clothes are pulled. You can use a support rod in a closet, jacket rack, or other object that acts as a hanger for clothes.
Do not hang clothes on the tips of small nails or curtain supports, as they are prone to falling under pressure
Step 3. Gently pull
Use your hands to pull the clothes slowly until the tattered parts are neat again. Pull the garment in the opposite direction of the crease; If the wrinkled area is vertical, hold the top and bottom of the wrinkled area and pull it in both directions at once.
- Trim the dents by pulling the top and bottom, and both sides together.
- Do not pull on leather clothes for too long. The strength of the pressure required will depend on the type of clothing, but it's best not to pull on a leather garment for more than three to five seconds just in case. Let the leather material sit for three to five seconds before pulling it back.
- Understand that this method is intended for tidying up slightly tattered clothes, not for clothes that are very wrinkled or have creases.
Method 2 of 4: Steaming Clothes with a Steam Iron
Step 1. Prepare the steam iron
You can use a stand-up steam iron or a handheld steam iron, but make sure it's durable and works well. Check online reviews and stores near you before making a purchase.
A steam iron is a versatile product that is effective at removing blemishes. It can also be used to tidy up clothes and shoes, as well as large objects such as furniture
Step 2. Turn on the steam iron
Use the medium-low setting on the steam iron, then let it get really hot. Test the iron first on a non-leather object before tidying up the scuffs on clothes. An iron that is still cold or not hot enough can cause rapid condensation that causes damage.
Read the instructions for using the steam iron and the manufacturer's recommendations to determine the right heating time before you use the steam iron to smoothen your skin
Step 3. Hang up your clothes
If you are ironing a leather garment, hang it vertically. The steam will relax the skin so that the natural weight of the garment can pull the tattered part until it is neat. Use a hanger or rack on your standing steam iron.
If the leather object is too big to hang, don't worry. The steam will still loosen the clothing and smooth out any dents
Step 4. Steam your clothes
Use a steam iron to steam the scorched skin. If you can, steam the outside and inside of your clothes. Make sure you keep the steam iron at least 10 cm from the clothes and only steam it for a few seconds in the same motion as when you iron the clothes.
- If the tattered part is not neat after steaming, gently pull the part to make it more limp and easy to tidy up.
- Don't steam it too much. This can damage the skin and make your clothes wrinkle.
- If dew appears on the surface of the skin due to the use of steam, take a dry, clean cloth and wipe the dew thoroughly.
Method 3 of 4: Steaming Clothes in the Bathroom
Step 1. Run hot water
Run hot water from the shower until the mirror in the bathroom is foggy. Use water that is hot enough to let out a lot of steam, but not so hot that you don't dare touch it.
If you can measure the temperature of the water, make sure it's at 40 C, or equal to the average hot shower temperature in the bathroom
Step 2. Let the steam collect
To do this, close the bathroom door so that no steam escapes. Attach the hanger to the leather garment, then hang it near the steam pool in the bathroom, but not too close to prevent water from getting on the clothes.
- Try using a towel rack or doorknob to hang leather clothes.
- Leather is not designed to withstand exposure to large amounts of water. Keep your skin away from the shower so you don't get water droplets. If any dew appears on the surface of the skin, wipe it off immediately with a clean, dry towel.
Step 3. Steam the clothes
Leave the clothes in the steam pool for as long as possible. Leave the clothes hanging in the bathroom while you shower and keep them hanging for a while. Wait until the steam starts to dissipate and the bathroom temperature cools down before getting your clothes on.
Don't wait until the shower is completely cold. This will make the skin hardened so that the part that is still limp cannot be trimmed
Step 4. Smooth the clothes
When you're done steaming your clothes, place them on a flat surface and smooth them out with your hands. Gently tug on the dented part to smooth it out.
Let the clothes cool on a flat surface before moving or putting them on. This will keep your skin soft and prevent it from getting smudged again
Method 4 of 4: Ironing Leather Clothes
Step 1. Set the iron to a low temperature
Leather is not designed to be ironed as doing so risks damaging the material. Prevent this risk by setting the iron to its lowest temperature before use.
Empty the water from the iron tank before starting this process to prevent any water from spilling out and causing damage
Step 2. Find a base
Prepare thick brown paper or a cloth made of 100% cotton, such as a towel, then place it on the surface of the leather material. Do not use paper or cheesecloth as they can catch fire when ironing.
Make sure the mat you use is clean and dry. Wipe the paper with a towel before using it
Step 3. Use an iron to smooth the leather material
Rub the iron quickly without pressing it too hard. Do not hold or move the iron slowly against the surface of the skin, even on hard areas. This can burn the skin and leave permanent scars.
- Never stick the iron directly to the skin. Move the base as necessary to smooth out very tattered or large leather material.
- Store or hang leather clothes as soon as you iron them if you don't want them to be put on right away.
Tips
- Cover leather clothing with a light, light cloth, such as a light cotton bag or muslin garment, when storing it for an extended period of time.
- Store leather garments in a dry, well-ventilated place with a consistent room temperature. Fluctuating temperatures can cause clothes to wrinkle, crack, and break.
