Cleaning Leather Pants with Beer and Mustard: Unconventional Cleaning Method Unveiled
Bernd Glassl, a specialist from the Association for Body Care and Detergents (IKW), offers valuable advice for maintaining the quality of leather pants.
When it comes to cleaning leather pants, it's essential to seek guidance from a specialty store before using any cleaning agents. This is to ensure that the correct products are used, preserving the leather's integrity.
Stains on leather pants can be removed using leather cleaners, such as those designed to tackle stains from substances like mustard or ketchup. However, it's always a good idea to test the cleaner on an inconspicuous spot first to check for any potential damage.
For stains that are less severe, treating the pants with a dry cleaner or a bristle brush for leather can often remove them easily.
In the case of beer stains, airing out the pants in dry weather or on a covered balcony is the recommended method for removing both the stain and the accompanying smell. The smell from beer stains on leather pants can usually be eliminated through airing alone, and the stains should not pose a problem for visibility.
However, washing leather pants should be avoided unless explicitly allowed according to the care label. If washing is necessary in an emergency, use a maximum temperature of 30 degrees with special detergent or wool detergent in the wool program. After washing, leather pants should be placed on a towel and turned several times to prevent stiffness during drying.
It's important to note that washing leather pants can cause tanning agents, natural leather fat, and pigments to be washed out. This can lead to the pants becoming brittle and stiff, and in severe cases, they may no longer fit properly if they warp.
Hanging leather pants on a clothesline to dry is also discouraged, as it can cause them to warp and no longer fit well.
Specialists in leather care generally advise against using cleaning agents or detergents that are not approved for leather products. These unsuitable detergents, especially those intended for other fabrics, can cause dryness, stiffness, or cracking of leather items. Instead, they recommend gentle manual cleaning methods and the use of mild, leather-specific cleaners to preserve the leather's quality.
The Association for Body Care and Detergents (IKW) provides comprehensive cleaning advice for leather pants, ensuring that you can keep your leather items in top condition.