How Do I Clean My Leather Desk Pad?

Carefully.

Buying a leather desk pad for its beauty and unsurpassed quality is of little use in the long run if the leather isn't properly cared for. Owning leather products can be a lot like owning pets: they'll bring you pleasure, but you have to pay attention to them. In this article we answer the question, how do I clean my leather desk pad?

Fortunately, proper care of your leather desk pad is not very complicated once you know what's required. Here are a few essential tips.

Deterioration

As it is a natural product, a leather desk pad is going to age. Whether that aging equals maturation or deterioration depends on how well you care for it. There are four primary causes of leather deterioration:

oxidation

chemical damage

internal chafing

abrasion

These four causes of deterioration can be avoided with your leather desk pad by regular gentle cleaning and occasional use of a leather lotion or lubricant.

Cleaning

Cleaning your leather desk pad with a clean, damp cloth about once a month should be sufficient. Wipe or sponge gently, but do not rub the leather. To avoid dust setting in or stains, it's also a good idea to wipe your leather desk pad once a week with a dry, soft rag. A lot of the damage done to leather occurs when dirt or dust is ground in, so take proper precautions.

Scuffs

If your leather desk pad gets scuffed, try rubbing the scuffmark lightly with your fingers. Leather contains natural oils that will work to get rid of lighter scuffs. If that is insufficient, try applying a small amount of leather lotion or lubricant with a clean, dry cloth.

To maintain your leather desk pad's appearance, apply the lubricant evenly across a wider portion of the desk pad.  When finished, buff the leather with a dry cloth.

Additional tips

Cleaning alone isn't always enough to keep your leather desk pad in prime condition. A few common sense precautions will cut down on potentially damaging uses:

Avoid heat and/or direct sunlight. If your leather desk pad is near a window, try and position it so that the sun does not shine on it directly. Also, keep your leather desk pad a sufficient distance from heat sources like a computer tower or monitor.

Avoid spills. If your leather desk pad is in a high traffic area, come up with some creative ways to avoid coffee or soda spills. A cupholder or two near the edge of your desk will make that location a lot more inviting for visitors bearing drinks.

The natural oils in leather will keep it flexible, but consider applying a high quality and trusted leather lotion or lubricant every six months for additional protection.

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