Shark leather is one of a kind. This pretty cool leather is really tough, has a beautiful and nice texture and a fine, grainy texture with smooth ripples. In fact, word on the street says that shark skin is up to 25 times tougher than ordinary cowhide, more durable (making it a popular choice for upholstery and wallets), and even lighter to carry.
But, funny things is, even shark leather as tough as it is, has its own weaknesses. Sunlight, heat, grime, and water (I know, it's crazy right?), can be really damaging for your shark leather good. Granted, shark skin is waterproof to a degree. So, Moisture's good but too much will cause your shark leather dry out.
Tips to care for your shark leather:
- If your shark leather gets wet, dab it up immediately with a soft, clean cloth before it sets. Other liquids should be treated the same way, and remember to always dab, not smear, when cleaning up liquids. If you smear your shark leather, you will only push the liquid further in and create a bigger mess. Allow the cloth to absorb as much moisture as it can, and if a stain remains, move on to a leather cleaner.
- Clean your shark leather regularly to clean off the routine dust. This can be accomplished with a slightly damp cloth. Just wipe the surface off until none remains, and you’re good. But for stains and deeper grime, it’s best to use something with a bit more bang. Shy away from commercial products when cleaning leather – pH imbalance will tear your leather apart faster than an actual shark.
- Use a cleaner specifically designed for exotic leather, or a mild soap if none are lying around (mix the mild soap with water and use the suds to clean).
- Despite shark leather being very abrasive resistant, you can help it out by handling with care. You’ll often find shark leather to be fairly smooth heading a particular direction away from where the head was. If you can, rub your cleaner with a soft pad or lint-free cloth in this direction to avoid any potential abrasive damage. Brush lightly, applying your leather cleaner in thin and even layers, and brush off any excess fluid with a clean cloth once you’re done.
- Let it dry in a cool, indoors location away from sunlight and direct heat.
- Conditioning is just as important as cleaning and should be performed any time you’ve given sharky a heavy cleaning. Usually, this should be twice a year, or more if it gets exposed lots of exposure to weather and the elements
- Finally, try to keep your shark leather in a clean place. Good shark leather care will involve keeping your wallet or purse out of places where they might be exposed to sunlight, or have trouble breathing. Ideally cover them for protection against dust settlement, with a blanket or dust jacket. As mentioned before, shark leather likes cool, indoors locations away from sunlight and direct heat. Another handy tool to try is stuffing newspapers in or around your leather product, which will help absorb moisture.
