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Mallika Sharma
Certified Leather Care Technician
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Q&A Comments (55)
Co-authored Articles (73)
How to
Repair Faux Leather
Faux leather is also known as imitation, synthetic, or artificial leather. It has a similar appearance to natural leather, but faux leather items typically consist of a fabric base with a polyurethane coating. This compo...
How to
Repair Torn Leather
Repairing a leather tear can be a little time consuming, but it shouldn’t be excessively difficult if the damage is relatively small. To fix a leather tear, get a leather repair kit with a color compound that matches t...
How to
Hand Sew Leather
Sewing leather by hand makes for a traditional and handsome project. Stitching through leather is not as difficult as it may seem. Whether your leather project is large or small it can be simple. Gather a few importan...
How to Harden Leather: A DIY Guide
Make your leather more durable with these techniques If you plan on making leather accessories or other leatherwork, you may need to stiffen the leather so it holds its shape. Luckily, there are a ton of effective ways t...
How to Fix Cracked Leather on Sofas, Bags, Shoes & More
Plus, why leather cracks and how to protect leather items from damageCracks often appear when leather dries out or is exposed to sunlight. Although the damage is permanent, many cracks are easy to hide by rehydrating the...
How to Get Bad Smells Out of Leather Jackets, Couches, Shoes & More
Expert-backed remedies for removing funky smells from your leather Leather is a material made from tanned animal hide, and it’s a popular choice for making jackets, furniture, shoes, purses, belts, and other products. ...
How to
Repair Scratches on Leather Furniture
No matter how careful you are around your leather furniture, it’s very common for leather furniture to get scratches due to normal use. This is especially the case if you live in a household with pets or small children...
How to
Fix Faux Leather Peeling
Faux leather is a synthetic material made from cheap base fabric and a polyurethane coating. With time and usage, faux leather will eventually begin to peel and flake off. Faux leather is difficult to repair, and many ex...
How to
Restore a Leather Jacket
A leather jacket is a prized possession that, when cared for correctly, can be worn proudly for life. However, leather jackets start to dry out and fade after years of wear. When your old trusty jacket starts to look wor...
Simple Tricks to Remove Odors from Old Leather Bags
Get rid of musty & smoky smells from vintage purses & bags Leather bags can start to smell old, mildewy, and unpleasant when they’re kept in moist conditions or stained with food. Luckily, there are several simple solu...
How to
Clean a Leather Jacket
A quality leather jacket never goes out of style. To keep your jacket in good condition, however, you’ll have to care for the material. Unlike other types of clothing, you won’t be able to simply pop your leather jac...
How to Fix and Restore a Leather Coat
Get old & damaged coats back to their former glory with this guideFinding a tear in your favorite leather jacket can be a real bummer! Fortunately, you have quite a few options for repairing rips, tears, scuffs, and hole...
How to
Care For a Leather Jacket
Leather is a complicated substance, but taking care of it doesn't have to be. Take some time to learn about caring for leather jackets, follow these best practices, and you'll only need to use the occasional treatment to...
How to
Repair a Luggage Tear
Torn luggage is more than just an eyesore—if not addressed right away, it has the potential to lead to more severe damage, or even lost belongings. That’s why it’s important to act fast if you notice that the exter...
How to
Dull Leather
Leather lasts for years, and the older it gets, the more character it has! Unfortunately, when you buy new leather products, they can sometimes look overly glossy or even cheap. You can try washing and wearing your leath...
How to
Clean Leather Gloves
If your leather gloves are in need of a wash, there are simple steps you can take to clean them. For a quick spot clean, dampen a cloth and use a mild soap to gently rub the dirt off of the leather glove. For a deeper cl...
How to
Repair a Faux Leather Sofa
Faux leather is cheaper than real leather, and oftentimes easier to clean. Unfortunately, it is prone to peeling and cracking after long periods of time. If you don't treat the damage right away, it can spread. Luckily, ...
A Complete Guide to Cleaning Leather, Suede, & Fabric Coach Purses
Coach’s official instructions + expert-backed cleaning tipsCoach is renowned for their stylish leather, suede, and canvas purses. But you may have noticed that with wear, they can get a bit dirty! Luckily, there are pl...
How to Refresh & Repair Leather
A guide to restoring and rejuvenating leather Normal wear and tear typically results in cracks and discoloration in the leather. Leather repair kits, which contain materials and tools for repairing leather, can be purcha...
How to
Remove Cat Spray or Pee from a Leather Couch
Nobody wants their beautiful leather sofa to be treated like a litter box. But what can you do when you start noticing some unpleasant stains and smells coming from the upholstery? There’s no need to worry. We’re her...
