User talk:Clef gee

Leather can be described as an animal pelt (skin, hide and kip) that has undergone several tanning processes to prevent it from bacterial infections, decomposition and prolong its life span. eg, suede, finished, semi-finished, top-finished etc. It must be noted that before obtaining or removing the pelt from the animal it was being supplied with natural food, energy, perspiration, nutrients by the animal itself to keep the pelt healthy and strong for survival. Therefore, there is the need to treat leather products with the necessary care, maintenance and restoration techniques to expand its life span, beauty, keep it shape and prevent deterioration. This can be achieved if we understand the leather (leather product) properties, structure and composition. Firstly, leather contains some amount of moisture which makes it flexible and easy to handle. Exposure of leather product to excessive heat over a long period of time will dry the leather and make it hard or inflexible. Heat source such as sun, fire, light and so on dry up the amount of moisture in leather product and hardens it when it is exposed directly to them over a period of time. Heat (ultra violet rays) evaporates the moisture content and can reduce the beauty and shape of leather product by shrinking the size of the product. In other to prolong the life span, beauty and shape of leather products, it is very important not to expose leather products to excessive heat for a longer time. Excessive dehydration, this is humidity level below 22 degrees cause leather to shrink and crack. Contrarily, to the above, keeping leather articles away from some amount of heat can also lead to the attraction of bacteria, fluffy or powdering surface. Heat can prevent the attraction of red rot that causes powdering surfaces of leather. Therefore leather products are to be kept at normal room temperature. Little amount of heat and moisture must be subjected to leather always. Excessive heat, dust and light can also change the color or surface of leather products. Heat can fade leather products, dyes or pigment applied on it and change it color when it is exposed for a longer time. When leather products attract dirty or dust over a period of time without clean the dust, it may change the surface from the original to another color. Handling of leather articles is also an important factor to consider when we want to keep leather products for a longer time, maintain its beauty and shape. Mishandling such as dumping, twisting, pulling and keeping of items on leather products also help to deteriorate leather articles. Leather products that are supposed to be hanged must be hanged rather than mixing them with other items. In other to keep the shape of a leather article consistent (shoe) it must be stuffed with lust, papers or fabric to maintain it shape. This can be done mostly when the product is wet. Use fabric or news print papers to drain the water from the product and stuff with foam, lust, hanger, paper and fabric and then dry it under normal room temperature. This can help keep it shape and life span. Also, the application of some products on leather products can aggravate the deterioration of leather when not used with care and instructions. Products such as adhesives, solvents and pigment should be applied on leather products with care. Some adhesives and solvents harden, peel of the top-finished leather coloring agent, and crack leather products if instructions are not observed before using. It is therefore important to use professional quality products designed specifically for types of leather. Again, food stains, over usage and fat stains contribute to the deterioration of leather. Leather products such as shoes after use must be left to dry due to perspiration of the body to prevent it from bad odor. Food and oil stains most be cleaned immediately to prevent the product from attracting bacteria. Interestingly, the shape, beauty and life span of leather can also be improved by using leather conditioners, creams, moisturizers and spray designed specifically for leather products. In taking good care of leather products, conditioners, creams, moisturizers and spray designed for leather products can be used to maintain, preserve and restore leather products from deterioration. In conclusion, I will say that leather is subjected to different improper handling, unfavorable environmental factors (weather), usage and improper care techniques. Specific treatment and care techniques should be applied to a specific leather. All leather products are not to be treated the same, because they are tanned differently and they come in different forms (suede, finished, raw hide, semi-finished etc). It is therefore important to observe the above measures to maintain its beauty, shape and prolong its life span.