Leather items are treasured by many people due to the benefits that come with them. Whether it is a jacket, purse, shoe, or even a couch, be sure that these items will last for ages. Besides this, leather items usually look attractive and portray some aspect of class and sophistication. As a result, the last thing that you wish to see on your leather is wrinkles or creases.
However, your leather item is not immune to such adversaries. At some point, your leather may start having wrinkles. Although wrinkles symbolize resilience and grit, they are unsightly when they are on leather. Therefore, you should know how to get wrinkles out of leather so that your leather can remain in pristine condition. In this article, we shall take a closer look at this, alongside other vital facets.
Why do leather get wrinkles?
If you have a leather item at home, chances are that you may have noticed a couple of wrinkles on them at one time or another. Just like any other leather owner, you may be asking, why do leathers get wrinkles? Well, there are many reasons that can make your leather get wrinkles. Some of these reasons include:
1. It happens naturally
If you take a critical look at your skin, you will notice that there are some sections that have wrinkles. Leather is not exceptional as it also gets wrinkles with time. Other times, it can arrive already wrinkled. Whether it is a leather purse or a leather boot, it is bound to get wrinkles over time.
Regardless of the tender care, you give it, chances are that it will still have creases at one time or another. It is just natural for leather to get wrinkles once in a while. In fact, experts say that there is no wrinkle-free leather. In case you come across one, you have to break the bank in order to afford the solution.
2. Poor storage
Although it is natural for leather to get wrinkles over time, poor storage can contribute to this problem at one time or another. Generally, how you store before and after use will determine whether your leather will develop wrinkles or not.
Remember that leather is known to be soft and supple. Therefore, it is bound to take any shape it is stored in and maintain it for longer periods. If you fail to maintain and store the leather well, the chances of it getting wrinkles are very high.
For instance, if you have a leather jacket or leather pants, it is important that you hang them after use. If you have leather shoes or boots, there is a need to hang them so that they do not get wrinkles after use.
3. Oversize leather items
Since leather items come in a variety of sizes, there is a need to choose an item that fits you well. If you choose a leather item that fits badly or is oversize, chances are that it will get wrinkles over time. These include leather items such as pants, jackets, boots, and shoes.
To put it into perspective, the excess space in any of the above-mentioned leather items is responsible for the formation of wrinkles. This is because the leather will repeatedly fold in and out anytime you move or flex your muscles. This causes creases that eventually cause wrinkles on your leather item.
4. The design of the leather item
Sometimes, the overall design or make of your leather item can be a major contributor to wrinkle formation. For instance, wrinkles are likely to appear on plain and whole-toe shoes than semi-cap and full-cap brogues. This can be attributed to the fact that the plain and whole-toe shoes usually have fewer pieces of leather compared to their counterparts.
Consequently, there is less tension directly on such shoes, and these are most affected by all sorts of tension and pressure the foot puts on them. On the other hand, full and semi brogues have a large surface area or multiple layers of leather pieces.
As a result, the pressure or tension from the feet spreads out evenly on the shoes, thereby reducing the chances of wrinkle formation. This happens not only to leather shoes or footwear but also to leather goods such as leather car seats, leather furniture, and so forth.
5. Quality of leather
Just like other materials, leather comes in different qualities and grades. The quality of a certain leather item will determine whether it is will get wrinkles or not. For instance, leather that has been sourced from the belly of a cow or bull is deemed to be of low quality.
In fact, such leather will come already wrinkled. This can be attributed to the fact that this section of the cow is typically loose and thin in nature. However, if you come across thick leather, it is less likely to develop wrinkles. For instance, leather that has been obtained from the middle section of a bull or cow is deemed to be thick and thus resistant to wrinkles.
Apart from this, large sections of the animal such as the side, belly, or shoulder are more vulnerable to wrinkles. Consequently, leather obtained from such sections is bound to develop wrinkles than that got from other sections of the animal’s skin.
6. Constant use and improper handling
If you are fond of using your leather item, the chances of it developing wrinkles are very high. Besides this, poor handling can lead to this problem. Whether you have a leather garment, furniture, or shoe, it is bound to have wrinkles if you mishandle it.
Things you need to get winkles out of leather
If you want to remove wrinkles from your leather, there are a number of items you need in order to get the work done. Some of the vital items include:
- A wide wooden, padded, or plastic hanger
- Shower
- Flat surface
- Iron
- An ironing board
- Breathable clothing such as cotton sheets
- Clean, heavy brown paper or 100% cotton cloth such as a cotton towel
- A cool, dry, and spacious room that is well-ventilated.
How to get wrinkles out of leather: Step by step
With the above-mentioned items at hand, time is ripe for you to swing into action. Here are a series of steps on how to get wrinkles out of leather;
- First and foremost, place the wrinkled leather on a wide wooden or plastic hanger, and then try to pull the wrinkles with your hands. By doing so, you will have managed to straighten them a bit.
- Hang the leather item in the bathroom as you take a hot shower. By doing so, you will be steaming out the wrinkles. Once you are done, take the leather garment out and then put it on a flat surface. Thereafter, try to polish it using your hands so that it can become smooth.
- Place the leather item on an ironing board and then place a clean 100% cotton cloth or brown paper on top of your garment and start ironing it. For optimal results, avoid using anything that will stain your leather. Ideally, your desired piece of cloth should not bleed color in between the leather item and the iron box. Start ironing at low temperatures and increase the temperatures as needed and when needed. Be gentle as you iron not to damage your leather item.
- Sometimes, the wrinkles may not be as terrible as you think. As a result, a hair dryer can help you remove them on the go. When using this device, ensure that you do not hold it too close to the leather item. Ideally, it should be 10 inches away from the leather item. Try to move it back and forth and see if the wrinkles will disappear. When the leather gets soft, try to smooth it with your hands. Do this until all the wrinkles on the leather item disappear.
- Cover the leather using a breathable cloth. Here, you can utilize a piece of cloth such as cotton sheets in order to prevent it from getting dusty. Avoid storing your leather item in plastic bags or any form of coverage that can make it too dry.
- Finally, keep the leather item in a cool, dry place. Your room of choice should also be spacious and well-ventilated.
FAQs:
Q: Can wrinkles be removed from leather?
Yes. In case you are wondering how to get wrinkles out of a leather purse or how to get wrinkles out of the leather jacket, you can now use dry heat to remove the wrinkles. All you need is an iron box, an ironing board, and a piece of cloth that is made of cotton. You should be patient as some wrinkles might be difficult to disappear within the first few minutes. In fact, you may have to repeat the process 3 to 4 times so that these wrinkles can disappear completely.
Q: How do you flatten wrinkled leather?
If you are wondering how to get wrinkles out of leather pants, the reality of the issue is that you can now flatten these wrinkles by using an iron box or a blow dryer. If the wrinkles are many, you can first use an iron box and then use a blow dryer to flatten them. However, if the wrinkles are few, a blow dryer can help you get started.
Q: Can I sand rough leather?
Yes. As we speak, you can now sand rough leather with 220 or 320 grit wet or dry sandpaper. You should do this until the leather surface feels smooth. As you sand the rough leather, be gentle on unfinished leathers as they can easily get scratches. Also, try to avoid sanding surfaces where sued has been exposed, as the sandpaper can snag the fuzzy nap.
Q: How do you make smooth rough leather?
You can now smooth rough leather using 600 grit sandpaper. All you need to do is gently scrub the sandpaper against the rough leather surface in a circular motion and eliminate the loose strands. Thereafter, buff the leather so that it can become smoother than ever.
Q: What do you buff leather with?
When buffing leather, you can now use a soft piece of cloth and brisk. Do it in back and forth movements. By doing so, you will be able to add some shine to your leather item, thus enhancing a glossy appearance.
Q: How do you fix fuzzy leather?
You can now use wallpaper paste and then mix it with water. Thereafter, apply the mixture on the fuzzy side, in a circular even manner. Wipe off the excess mixture using a blunt object and then smoothen the uneven surfaces using an ice cream scooper.
Be thorough so that no section is uncovered. Once you are done, the leather should not flake or smell. Thereafter, you can apply some wood vanish as it has great coverage and will make the color more even. In the end, your leather will be smoother and more attractive.
Q: Does genuine leather wrinkle?
Yes. Just like the real skin of a human being, genuine leather will still wrinkle over time. However, since you can easily remove these wrinkles, there is no call for alarm.
Q: Can you put leather in the dryer?
No. It is not advisable to put leather in the dryer. This is because the dryer disseminates a lot of heat that can crack your leather and even distort the shape of your leather item. In case, you have wet leather, try to air dry it. Sun’s exposure is sufficient to remove the moisture away from the leather surface.
Q: Can you steam a leather couch?
Yes. You can now steam your leather couch in order to eliminate dirt, mold, soil, and other stubborn stains without essentially exposing your couch to harsh chemicals that can damage the leather surfaces.
Conclusion
Whether you are wondering how to get wrinkles out of leather gloves or how to get wrinkles out of leather jackets, the procedure illustrated above can help you get rid of the unsightly and unlikely wrinkles and creases on your loved leather. By eliminating these wrinkles, you will be able to restore your leather’s aesthetics. It will look more attractive and of the modern age, despite it having been purchased several years ago. Consider the ideas on how to get wrinkles out of leather today and you will give your leather a fresh and new look.
Learn More: