Leather care

How to care for natural beauty? 

All materials used by Ochnik are of natural origin. The leather is supplied by the best Italian and Spanish tanneries which can boast long tradition and experience in the production of high-quality raw materials.
The production of garments from the so-called uncovered aniline-dyed leather constitutes 95% of the activity of Ochnik. Aniline dying – as opposed to surface dying – guarantees the best quality of leather. The differences between both types of finishing can be explained by referring to an example of painting wood with paint and varnish. The former covers nothing but the surface, thus covering defects, whereas the latter permeates the wood thus exposing its natural beauty. Similarly, natural beauty of high quality leather or suede is exposed thanks to the use of pure aniline pigment. However, it is absolutely necessary to select leather free of any defects, which is what Ochnik attaches a great deal of significance to.
Aniline leather is also characterized by the best tactile and visual values. Subtle lustre is also obtained in a natural manner – during the process of ironing, due to which these leathers are silk-delicate to touch. In comparison, the lustre of surface-dyed leather is more matte and artificial, and it feels dry and rough to touch.

The nature of aniline leathers requires proper treatment and maintenance. One should remember about several basic principles of leather maintenance: 

Soaking of the leather
Due to the fact that our leathers are not covered by heavy protective varnish, their water resistance is reduced. However, rain will not damage the leather provided that we subject it to a properly conducted process of drying.
First, remove all heavy objects from pockets. Then, hang the garment on a stable and broad hanger and subject it to slow drying in the place remote from sources of heat (radiators, heaters, warm-air fans). You should remember that hot air makes leather harden and lose its lustre. When completely dried, grain leather jacket should be rubbed with an Ochnik cream, thanks to which it will regain all its tactile values. We will restore the fluff on suede or nubuc garment by combing it with a suede brush after it has dried.
 
Storing
During storage, the garment should be placed in covers preventing dust from entering deep into leather. However, we do not recommend plastic covers since they prevent ventilation necessary to keep leather in the best condition. Prior to using the garment again we recommend that it is cleaned from dust, if necessary, and then preserved with one of OCHNIK preparations.

Maintenance
To keep leather in good condition, you should occasionally subject leather to maintenance by using one of preparations available in our sales showrooms.
 
Grain leather
To remove dirt resulting from daily wear and tear of grain leather (high-lustre leather), it should be occasionally wiped with a slightly damp cloth. To preserve the delicateness and softness of leather and the level of its characteristic natural lubrication, occasionally you should apply an Ochnik care cream and rub it gently in circular movements, using a soft cloth.
 
Suede and nubuc
To effectively protect suede and nubuc garments from dirt, we recommend that prior to the first use it is treated with an Ochnik protection spray. You should particularly pay attention to spraying places where the garment directly touches human skin (collar and cuffs).
The spray container should be kept ca. 25–30 centimetres from the clothing and applied gently and precisely. At the same time, you should not allow leather to become wet. This procedure may be repeated after the clothing has dried completely. To guarantee durable protection, it is recommended that the protection spray be applied every 2-3 months (depending on the frequency of use). It is also worth restoring the fluff using a cloth or a brush for suede.
 
Difficult stains                   
Dried dirt and deep stains should be removed in professional dry cleaners’ majoring in leather and suede cleaning.
There are also a few home methods for removing stains on your own. Please find some of them below.*

1. Stains from alcohol or substances containing protein such as food, milk or blood, should be immediately wiped with a soft damp cloth so as to prevent them from drying.
2. Zabrudzenia Stains from oil or fat on suede or nubuc garment should be removed by covering the stain with a dry and soft cloth made from an absorbent material. Then, the stained place should be sprinkled with white powder chalk (the best is ordinary, ground school chalk), which should be left (without rubbing) for 24 hours and, finally, delicately removed with a cloth or suede brush.

* Ochnik shall not be liable for the results of stain removal on your own.

In Ochnik sales showrooms the following preparations for care and maintenance of leather are available:

CLEAN + CARE
Universal cleansing foam for all materials and their combinations. It completely removes even deep dirt. It cleans and preserves smooth and rough leathers, synthetic materials, flexible materials, textiles and patent leather.

NANO SPRAY
Innovative impregnating aerosol with nano-particles. By the effect of moistening, it hinders water and dirt absorption. It protects smooth, nubuc and velour leathers and textiles.

SILICON POLISH
Paste in a tube – protects, cares and refreshes the colour and cleans shoes, leather products, garments and smooth-leather furniture. It contains beeswax and jojoba oil.

PROTECTION SPRAY
Optimal protection for all smooth leathers and high-tech materials. It ensures long protection against humidity, extends durability and allows maintaining the original condition of the product.