Care & Maintenance of Your Leather
All of our aprons and accessories have been initially treated with coconut oil.
It is recommended that each apron be treated with coconut oil at least once a year. The aprons and accessories may be cleaned more often during heavy use.
Benefits of Oiling
- keeps leather supple
- provides a water resistant barrier
- helps to repel grime
- coconut oil is a natural leather crème – no harmful chemicals
- coconut oil is inexpensive – coconut oil can be purchased at most supermarkets and health food stores – no pricey leather treatment products
Clean
Brush off any dirt. Wipe with a dry cloth first. If there is any caked-on dirt, wipe with a damp cloth.
Oiling your Apron
Place apron (or accessory) on a clean surface with a cloth sheet underneath to protect the counter. Rub in a very small amount of coconut oil (a teaspoon of oil will cover a long apron) into the smooth side of the leather. Let the leather sit to allow the oil to permeate the hide. Keep the apron out of sunlight while it dries. Once dry, buff the hide by rubbing the apron with a dry cloth in circular movements to remove any excess oil. Let sit overnight.
Note: The colour will darken initially after applying the oil.
Melting Coconut Oil
Above 24 °C, coconut oil is a clear liquid.
If the air temperature is cool (<24°C), coconut oil is a solid and best melted to ensure a thin layer of application. The oil may be heated until it just melts. Be careful to use warm oil, not hot, in treating the leather products.
To melt the coconut oil, place the coconut oil in a small container. The container is then placed in a bowl filled with hot water. Once the oil has liquefied, immediately remove the container from the bowl. The warm, liquefied coconut oil can now be applied to the apron with a clean dry cloth.
Removing Spots
For any treatment, first test the treatment on an out-of-the-way spot on the apron (e.g. back of strap).
For most food spills – wipe down the leather with a damp cloth dipped in carbonated water. The carbonated water will neutralize most acidic foods.
Ink spots can be removed by dipping a swab into rubbing alcohol and rubbing the spot. Another option is to rub the spot with cuticle remover cream (do not confuse this with nail polish remover – use only cuticle remover cream), let sit for a couple hours and then wipe off.