Cleaning leather pants with beer baths and mustard applications
With Oktoberfest in full swing, it's important to know how to take care of your leather pants to ensure they last for many more festive occasions. Here's some advice from cleaning expert Bernd Glassl and Radio Bielefeld.
Firstly, it's essential to remember that washing leather can remove tanning agents, natural leather fat, and pigments. This means that if your pants have Oktoberfest stains, it's not advisable to wash them unless it is explicitly allowed on the care label.
If you find yourself in an emergency and need to clean your leather pants, Glassl recommends getting advice beforehand at a specialty store about using leather cleaners and subsequent leather care. It's crucial to test these products on an inconspicuous spot before using them to avoid any damage.
In most cases, stains can be easily removed from leather with gentle pressure using a bristle brush or dry cleaner. For specific stains like beer or mustard, it's recommended to use a dry cleaner designed for leather.
After the cleaning process, it's best to air out your leather pants in dry weather or on a covered balcony. Hanging them to dry should be avoided as it can cause them to warp and no longer fit well. Instead, place them on a towel and turn them several times to prevent them from becoming stiff while drying.
It's important to note that too warm water can make the leather stiff and brittle after drying. Therefore, if you must wash your leather pants exceptionally, do so at a maximum of 30 degrees with a special detergent or wool detergent in the wool program.
Lastly, airing out the leather in the open air is a good way to remove the smell from Oktoberfest stains. This simple method can usually remove the smell from beer stains.
So, enjoy the festivities at Oktoberfest in Cologne, but remember to take care of your leather pants to keep them looking and feeling their best for years to come.
