New leather care help

[BlueSugar]

I finally bought some nice cuffs for wrists/ankles and a collar. Also bought a flogger.
Through here, and many other places I found JT's Stockroom.

They are red and beautiful and strong ::coos::

and braaaandy new

my questions are:

When does the leather stop shedding from the inside?
(it looks like I have, well, a red ring around my neck)

Is there anything I can do to prolong their life?

Anything I can put on them for shine?
to help them harden a little even?
(or do I want to keep them as soft as they are?)

does extended wear help bc of the sweat etc?

I've been using things I've found in hot topic and other stores like it, and I bought Kathy's Cuffs as well ... so this company and style is new to me ... and I want to take goooooood care of my new toys



Thank you all for being so patient with me. I was in the library and didn't see anything quite like this so I took a chance.

 

[MissTaken]

Friends of ours have lined the leather cuffs they use for suspension with a soft fabric.

It is more comfie and the subbies can tolerate them longer.

Also, I would try to keep the leather fairly supple, again for comfort.

 

[bound]

Conditioning


Leather conditioners are meant for occasional use. They contain fats and/or oils that help lubricate leather and replenish the suppleness. Look for a product that will penetrate the strong fibers in leather, but beware of any that include petroleum or mineral oils. While petroleum by-products won't damage your leather immediately, they do over a period of time. Again, just as with cleaning, keep on the look out for thick, greasy conditioning treatments for the best care of your leather.


Polishing


Polishing is done for special occasions when you want a more glossy finish on your leather. There are a couple things to be wary of when purchasing a polishing agent. Some products contain coloring factors that will brush off on things you come in contact with. Some products also have a tendency to clog the pores in leather or dry leather out. Just as with cleaning, be sure to test out the product on a small area and when ready, buff to a shine.


Protection


Moisture barriers are extremely crucial in preventing rain or other liquid hazards from damaging leather. Stiffness and spouting will happen if leather isn't protected beforehand. There is a drawback in protecting leather with a moisture barrier product. They tend to fill in the pores with a greasiness that makes cleaning, conditioning, and polishing difficult, but it's a necessary process to ensure leather isn't destroyed. Periodically apply a moisture barrier and allow it time to penetrate and dry before using your leather item.

Storing Leather


Remember that leather is a natural material and should never be stored in plastic because it encourages the growth of mildew and bacteria and will ruin the leather. Always store leather in a cool, dry place away from heat. If the leather item is a garment, store in a breathable bag.


Removing Stains


Fresh stains from things such as blood and food can be cleaned up quickly with a damp cloth. Stains from oil or grease can be lifted by grinding ordinary blackboard chalk, sprinkling the area, and leaving the powder on for a twenty-four hour period. Resist the urge to rub the powder in. After a sufficient time has past, simply use a leather care brush to remove the powder. While fresh stains can be treated and cleaned at home, ground-in stains should be attended to by a professional cleaner who deals in leather.

 

[BlueSugar]

thank you both very much for the help.

the leather is also red, and I don't want it to discolor so before I strap into my new toys I figured I'd come here and read up on things I should have read up on while I was waiting to get them mailed to me.

I did some extensive digging and found another few threads here and there. And product names... but its a bit out of my reach (excluding our friend the internet) and I was sort of hoping for an at home/do it yourself/house hold item(s) that would help keep my leather ware comfortable and properly.

stay away from petrolium for long term ... is there anything around the house good for my leather?

And I will certainly look into putting a soft cloth on the inside of my new collar - but how to bond the material to the leather w/o damage?