Leather items have always been in great demand, they are relevant and in demand. Such clothes are very practical and comfortable, they do not get wet in the rain and look stylish. Therefore, many people buy leather items or those made from leatherette. But you need to know the rules of care.
Ignoring storage rules may raise the question of how to iron a leather skirt at home.
Storage rules
Proper storage of clothing made from such material is important. This way the item will last longer and cracks will not appear on it. You just need to remember some nuances. It would be enough.
Storage:
- Leather products, regardless of whether it is a jacket, skirt or dress, should not be placed folded in a closet. Otherwise, folds will form on it. Staying folded for a long time can also cause creases and cracks.
- It is necessary to store leatherette and leather in a case made of breathable material.
- Some people recommend wrapping things in plastic. It is not suitable for skin.
- It is important to monitor the humidity in the room where such clothes are stored. For leather items, the ideal temperature is 20 degrees and humidity is 60%.
- You can put the skirt or hang it on a hanger. Just don’t put anything heavy on top of the item, otherwise crumpled stripes may remain.
These simple rules for storing skirts must be followed. Otherwise, after improper storage, you will have to buy a new item, and this is unnecessary waste. It's easier to learn a few rules.
Proper storage to avoid bruises
Storing leather clothing is of great importance. If you follow the rules for care and storage, the leather can retain its original appearance. To ensure that the skirt does not deform, stretch out or lose its former qualities, the following requirements must be observed:
- Store leather clothing in a dark, well-ventilated closet.
- Only in an extended and vertical position.
- Locks, zippers and buttons must be fastened to prevent deformation.
- You cannot fold or compact things.
- It is better to use special cases for storing clothes.
- The cover must be the right size and not crush the edge of the clothing.
Ultraviolet radiation and high humidity have a detrimental effect on your favorite things.
If there are additional elements, including fur, clothing needs protection from moths. In this case, special bags with strong-smelling substances or plants are placed in a closet or case for storing clothes, which helps repel insects.
Steam method
You can use a steam generator, but be careful. This ironing method is not recommended for soft leather.
This method is an ideal option for leatherette skirts. It is denser and does not deteriorate as much as natural fabric.
How to iron leather skirts:
- The item must be hung on hangers or placed on an ironing board.
- Then take a steam generator or an iron with this function and bring it to the clothes; steam should be released at a distance of at least 15 cm from the surface of the material.
- After the procedure is completed, the product is left in the same form so that it cools and acquires the correct position.
Do not bring the steam generator or iron very close, as the skin may stretch under the strong influence of steam.
This method of ironing takes a long time, since after the procedure the product requires at least 4 days for final drying.
The steam method is an ideal way to smooth pleated items and leather items. It is also suitable if the clothing has various additions, such as rivets, pockets, belts or other decorative trim.
Such places are very difficult to straighten with simple ironing. And the steam method can cope with any difficulties.
If the skirt is treated with a compound that protects it and repels water, then after this method it will lose its properties. Therefore, the product will have to be processed again.
How can you remove wrinkles from a jacket or skirt after purchase?
Such things, however, like clothes made from ordinary fabrics, are stored in large bales in warehouses. Therefore, skirts or jackets with creases often appear on store shelves, especially if the goods did not have time to sag after acceptance. Do not be upset if the chosen model turns out to have such minor defects - fabric-based polyurethane materials can be easily brought into a neat appearance in a simple way - by heating with a regular hairdryer:
- You need to hang clothes on hangers or lay them out on a flat surface.
- Turn on the unit at maximum power and direct a stream of hot air to the problem area.
- Naturally, smooth out the folds with your hands as soon as they have cooled a little.
- You can use ordinary clothespins as gentle weights for hanging items, distributing them along the very edge of the skirt.
If you need to remove creases from a biker jacket, you will have to put the wearer’s outerwear on after using a hairdryer and not take it off until the item has cooled completely. Or stuff it tightly with terry towels, giving it the desired shape, and only then use the machine for leveling.
Important! You should work with hot air at a distance of 15–20 cm from the surface of the eco-leather product so that it does not wrinkle or melt.
Iron
Ironing can cause a lot of trouble and damage the product. After purchasing such a skirt, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules on how to use this electrical appliance in order to bring the item into proper shape.
The risk of ruining clothes is very high, so it is recommended to strictly adhere to the correct algorithm of actions.
How to iron a leather skirt:
- First you need to turn the item inside out and straighten it on the ironing board.
- Thick material is placed under clothing. You can use parchment or wrapping paper, but the former is better. Gauze is not recommended.
- Iron steam and high temperature should not be used to smooth the skirt. The minimum temperature must be set.
- Ironing should be done carefully. The skin is very sensitive, the iron should not be kept on one area for a long time. You can’t stop, he must always be in motion. Also, do not put pressure on it when ironing.
- Areas not covered with fabric or paper cannot be treated.
After ironing, the skirt is laid out to cool so that there are no creases or folds.
You can carry out the procedure from the front side, but very carefully. Just use a very thick fabric and remember that you cannot touch the surface of the leather with an iron without material, this will lead to damage to the product.
Simple recipes for straightening eco-leather at home
Using an iron is not the only way to deal with creases and folds on things . Simple recipes using available products, such as a hair dryer, vinegar or glycerin, will come to the rescue.
Plain water
Straightening a leatherette item with water is one of the simplest methods. It is possible to moisten the surface by spraying from a bottle or using a wet sponge. This method is suitable even for newly purchased clothes.
Procedure:
- Preparing the thing itself. It is hung freely, inside out.
- Prepare clean water.
- The product is moderately moisturized.
- Straighten out all the crumpled places.
- Leave for half a day or longer until completely dry.
When moisturizing the product, it is not advisable to allow it to become completely wet through and through.
Hairdryer
Using a hairdryer is an affordable procedure that will help deal with creases and folds . To use this approach, the leatherette product is hung freely.
Having set the hot air supply on the hair dryer, the device is moved near the crumpled area from a distance of 20 centimeters. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the material does not overheat, as this leads to deformation of the leatherette.
Glycerol
A leatherette item is laid out on a flat surface or placed on a mannequin with the front side facing out. If the product has sleeves, trouser legs, a hood, etc., it is necessary to give them the required shape using towels rolled into tight rolls.
After the leatherette item is prepared, they begin systematic processing, moving slowly from section to section.
A clean napkin is moistened with glycerin and the object begins to be treated with rubbing movements . After the processing is completed, the product is left to hang vertically so that the glycerin is completely absorbed and the fabric softens.
To achieve the effect, the same area must be treated several times intermittently.
Vinegar
A vinegar-based recipe can be used to smooth leatherette clothes. To do this, mix the following components in equal proportions:
- fabric conditioner;
- water;
- vinegar.
The resulting solution is poured into a container with a sprayer and the leatherette is treated from the front side. The item must be in a suspended state, not in contact with other objects.
After drying, light stains may appear on the surface of the leatherette, which can be easily removed with a damp cloth.
When weather matters
High air humidity is one of the factors that helps in case of leatherette wrinkles. Sometimes it is enough to just walk in a jacket in thick fog or in the rain.
You can also simply hang a leatherette item at high air humidity on an open veranda or balcony.
Oily substances
If the material is natural and very thin, it is recommended to use more gentle treatment options.
Experienced housewives advise the following: “I smooth delicate fabrics using oily substances; unlike an iron, it does not spoil the appearance and serves as a water-repellent.”
This is true. Oily substances like castor oil, petroleum jelly or nut butter are great for restoring your skirt to its original condition.
How to smooth a leather item this way:
- Take a small amount of one of the suggested products.
- Apply to creases using your hand or a soft brush.
- When the fabric becomes soft and all creases are smoothed out, remove any remaining product with a damp cloth.
The oil seeps into all holes, making the fabric structure even and smooth. Thanks to Vaseline, the skin also moisturizes and becomes elastic.
This approach is safe and even if the oil is overexposed, it guarantees a positive result.
Loaded
If you don’t want to expose your leather product to the steam method or use an iron again, you can use another method. For example, cargo. To do this you will need something heavy and of the appropriate size. You can use large books, presses, magazines.
Algorithm of actions:
- The skirt is straightened on a flat surface.
- A thin cloth is placed on top of it so that books or a press do not stick to it and stain the item.
- Then the prepared press is placed on the skirt.
- Leave it overnight.
In the morning all the bends and creases will disappear. The skirt will become smooth and flexible.
This method can be used to return the diligent appearance of things with folds, but first they will need to be folded correctly so that later they do not end up with curved edges.
Humidifier
Special moisturizers are produced for leather skirts, jackets and dresses. Usually, when purchasing such an item, they are offered at a clothing store.
Humidifiers are sold in the form of sprays; they are very simple and convenient to use.
Method of use:
- First you need to smooth out all the creases.
- The selected humidifier is sprayed onto the skirt at a distance of 25 cm.
- Rub the spray with a soft cloth over the entire surface until it is completely absorbed into the material.
- You can hang the skirt on hangers and put it in the closet.
Such humidifiers should not be left on things until they dry completely, as unpleasant marks may remain..
These products also contain substances that protect leather clothing from aggressive environmental influences.
Smoothing out a leatherette bag
What about faux leather bags? What are the rules for them? You can use the following options for dealing with folds on your bag:
- The sheet is wet and wrung out. Paper or various materials are placed in the bag to tighten the skin. Place a wet sheet on top and leave until completely dry.
- The bag is stuffed with various materials, creases and folds are lubricated with cream. When the bag is dry, carefully wipe it with a wet cloth.
A light-colored product can be lubricated with warm milk.
Care
Leather items need to be looked after to keep them in good condition for a long time. New and well-maintained clothes look very beautiful.
Basic Rules:
- After purchasing, sprinkle the product with ground coffee to remove the specific smell.
- Wipe the leather skirt with a damp cloth or run a vacuum cleaner over it to remove dust. Only after this can the item be treated with impregnation.
- Do not clean your skin frequently. It has a thin protective layer.
- Before using any leather or leatherette care products, you should first test them on the underside of the garment.
- If greasy stains appear that do not disappear on their own, take chalk and sprinkle it on the stain overnight. In the morning, shake off any remaining product and treat the item with impregnation. Wear it with confidence.
- If the skirt is light in color, and a stain appears on it and the special product has run out, treat the contaminated area with a cotton swab dipped in cow's milk. It is also recommended to use an onion.
- Leather items should be dried away from heating appliances. If you dry near an electric heater or radiator, the clothes may become deformed.
- Lemon juice will help remove ink and pen marks on a light leather skirt.
- If the leather has become stale and white spots or mold have appeared on it, furniture cleaner and table vinegar will help.
- Do not use acetone or other solvents for cleaning.
- Tarnished areas are wiped with fresh orange peel.
Leather is a natural product and requires appropriate care. Skirts made of such material should be protected from heavy contamination and mechanical damage.
If you can sew up an ordinary fabric skirt yourself, then you will have to either throw it away or give it to specialists who know how to hide defects.
Homemade methods will help you easily cope with the task. If you are afraid to act on your own, use dry cleaning services. Experienced specialists will quickly return the skirt to its original appearance.