Saddleback Stain Solutions: Rain Soaked Leather
Saddleback Leather Finishes Quick Clean Score for Rain Soaked Leather (1=uncleanable to 10= easily cleaned) Chestnut- 10, Tobacco- 9, Cobalt Black- 10, Dark Coffee- 10
Key Takeaway: Don’t be too worried. Leather has a significant natural moisture content. Rain is not fatal to your bag. You’ll just neeed to dry out the excess moisture without damaging the leather fibers. Read more for the details... |
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*All links are affiliate links so if this info is helpful to you please click through my links to buy your Saddleback products so I will get commission from the sale… Thanks!!
Introduction:
So you got caught out in a storm with your beloved Saddleback briefcase. It’s either gotten totally soaked or is showing splotchy water droplets on parts of the bag.
Don’t worry, your bag isn’t ruined… as long as you take the right steps to restore the correct moisture balance to the bag.
So let me give you some tips on how to dry out the bag without damaging the leather. Read more below..
(You may be thinking who is this guy and why should I listen to his leathercare advice. So at the end of the article I’ll give you my creds and tell why I am helping the folks at Saddleback)
Tips on caring for your rain soaked Saddleback leather:
Don’t
- Don’t "Google it" for help- I have seen some crazy-bad tips floating out on the web for solving leather problems. Like this example from a real blog I found, "rub a banana peel on your leather to clean it"… Huh!?! Instead find someone who knows leather, specifically Saddleback Leather, and get qualified advice.
- Don’t apply a leather conditioner/ protector while the bag is still wet- A conditioner, oil or wax applied to wet leather will seal in the excess moisture instead of allowing it to evaporate. Click here to read an article with more information on conditioning and protection of your Saddleback Bag.
- Don’t put the bag in the oven on a low temperature– Laugh if you will, but I’ve seen this advice for wet leather. It may work for a glove but not a fine Saddleback Leather Bag.
Do
- Before the rain, treat your bag with a good conditioner or protector– This will cause moisture to bead on the surface of your bag instead of penetrating into the leather fibers. But be aware that the Tobacco and Chestnut finishes may darken when you add a conditioner.
- Blot with a towel and then use a hairdryer to evaporate excess moisuture– Carbon Black and Dark Coffee will probably only need a towel dry. But for Chestnut and Tobacco you can wave a hairdryer, on a warm setting, across the leather to evaporate the moisture.
- After drying the bag, you can use a good ph balanced leather cleaner to treat the leather– The ph of most rain is around 7, the ph of tanned leather is 4.5. A good leather cleaner will also have the lower ph and restore the ph balance to your bag.
- Use will soften your bag if it stiffens from the rain– Most leather is softened by milling. Milling is just moving the leather around to loosen the fibers. So just use it and it will soften back up for you.
Finally:
So I hope you don’t get caught in the rain with your Saddleback bag, but if you do this information will help you get it back in beautiful shape.
Again if you don’t have a bag yet to get caught in the rain with… click here or on the Saddleback Bag pictured above and check them out. They’re the best.
Related articles:
And as promised, why trust my advice?
My dad says my first word was leather… but since that can’t be confirmed, I’ll just say I have 25 years in the leather biz. I’m now the 2nd generatioin owner of a leather cleaning, repair and refinishing company in the Baltimore/Washington DC area. I’ve seen every problem imaginable to leather and am glad to share my experience to help you.
Why Saddleback?
That’s me at the left holding my bag standing with Saddleback CEO, Chuck Bowen. I love Saddleback Leather Bags (Incuding my Light Tobacco Classic Briefcase). I love their core values. So, I’m a part of their affiliate program.
I help you choose and care well for your Saddleback stuff, Saddleback sells more bags, and I make a few affiliate bucks when you click through my links… everybody wins.
Contact me with questions or suggestions.
If you have a Saddleback leather question I haven’t covered yet, please shoot it to me. Or if you think I’m wrong or want to add to my suggestions, please do. I can be reached though twitter by @leatherhelpguy or e-mail me at leatherhelpguy@gmail.com. Thanks.