LEATHER, CARE OF. All articles made of leather must be given careful attention in order to obtain maximum wear and use therefrom. The rules of care are very simple and easy to f ol low and apply. In a general manner all kinds and types of leather can be cleaned by the same method. Water and dirt ruin more leather than ordinary use and wear. If the leather article becomes wet, rapid drying should be avoided, heat should not be applied, nor should the article be placed near a hot stove or on a hot radiator. Alkalies like washing soda should not be used for clean ing leather; solvents such as benzine, naphtha or carbon tetra chloride should not be used except with great caution. Poisonous chemicals like nitro-benzol (also known as oil of mirbane), aniline oil, and benzol must no, be used either as cleaners or as part of a polish or grease. The best form of cleaner for all kinds of leather is tepid water and a neutral soap used liberally to remove dirt and other foreign matter. Toilet, castile, and good grades of saddle soap are recommended.
Shoes.—For cleaning use a soft brush or a sponge with soap and water, rub gently but firmly over spots that offer resistance, wipe with a clean cloth and while still damp apply a light film of castor oil and permit the shoes to dry slowly. Use of other oils will cause difficulty in polishing. After the shoes are dry, apply a good polish two or three times. If shoes are polished lightly every day their life will be extended materially. Suede shoes are best cleaned with a soft wire brush which raises the nap and removes dirt. Grease spots are best removed by cover ing the stain with a rubber solution and peeling it off when dry. White shoes are also best cleaned with neutral soap and water. Care should be taken not to rub the surface too firmly and dis turb the original finish of the leather. White buck or suede should first be brushed with a soft wire brush. If all dirt is not removed in that manner, then the spots should be rubbed with powdered chalk and brushing repeated. Formulae for polishes and white
dressing are described below.
Work Shoes.—This class also embraces boots for hunting and other purposes. This type of footwear is usually made of heavy leather which is subjected to abnormal conditions by the average wearer and is best preserved by thoroughly greasing with one of the compounds described below. When the shoes are new, and be fore wearing them, they should be well greased over all ; particu lar attention should be given to seams and the stitching at the welt. The shoes or boots should be permitted to stand overnight with a heavy application of grease. This gives the grease time to be absorbed by the leather. The next morning, the shoes are wiped with a soft cloth to remove the excess. Shoes of workers in the building trades are especially subjected to scuffing and liberal applications of grease to those parts is very beneficial. When shoes or boots become muddy, the best procedure is as follows: if at all possible, do not permit the shoes to dry out while covered with mud and dirt, but wash clean with warm water, using a soft brush to clean the seams and the welt. When thoroughly clean wipe with a soft cloth and while the shoes are damp apply the water-proofing compound liberally with the fingers, rubbing it into the leather well. Pay especial attention to the seams and at the place where the upper meets the sole. Let stand in a warm place over night and the next morning remove the excess grease with a soft cloth. The grease is best applied as warm as the hand will bear. The shoes can be greased while dry but the grease will pene trate best while the leather is wet. Even if the shoes do not get muddy and dirty, it is best to grease them no less than once a week. This preserves the leather and keeps it soft.
Polish.—A suitable polish is made by melting together two parts of beeswax, 1 part paraffin wax, and 2 parts of turpentine to which is added oil soluble dye for colours and lamp black for black. Allow to cool and apply in the ordinary manner.