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15.11.2021
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Products made from natural and artificial leather, including skirts and dresses, look impressive and emphasize a girl’s figure. However, caring for leather items often causes problems, especially when it comes to ironing them, since if you do not follow a number of rules, you can simply ruin your favorite item, which is why you will have to throw it away. In this article we will figure out whether it is possible to iron leather skirts and how to do it correctly.
Is it possible to iron a leather skirt?
To find out whether a leather skirt can be ironed, first of all you need to look at the label on its back side and study the manufacturer’s recommendations for caring for the product.
The recommended temperature and ironing method will be indicated there. However, keep in mind that if by ironing the skirt you want to straighten it and return it to its previous condition, which was before it was damaged due to moisture or temperature, then most likely you will not succeed.
You can use an iron or steamer with leather products only to remove unwanted folds and creases.
How to increase the service life of leatherette
Strict adherence to the rules of operation, storage and cleaning will help extend the life of items made of leatherette. Many of them are indicated by the manufacturer on the label. Items made from this material should not be stored folded, but carefully hung to avoid the formation of folds and unevenness.
Drying such clothes with heating electrical appliances can lead to deformation and cracking of the surface. For cleaning, compositions and substances without chemically aggressive components should be used. Leatherette is an economical, comfortable and practical material. But - capricious in operation and maintenance.
Features of ironing skirts made of leatherette and eco-leather
If the skirt is made not of leather, but of its substitutes, the rules for care, and especially ironing of the material, change. This is due to the different properties of the fabrics from natural leather.
Leatherette feels much rougher and denser than leather. It does not absorb water and has a uniform, repeating pattern over the entire surface.
The material is less demanding to care for, so you can iron it as follows:
Iron at an average temperature of 130-150°C (2 points). This can be done both from the wrong side through a double layer of gauze, and from the front side - through thick cotton fabric. After ironing, the skirt should be left for 10 minutes to cool.
The steamer should be kept, as in the case of natural leather, at a distance of 15-20 cm from the product.
A special moisturizing spray for artificial leather. It just needs to be applied to the surface of the fabric and then wiped off with a napkin.
Expert opinion
Nina Nikolaevna
Seamstress
It is not recommended to use a steam generator, since it has a more aggressive effect that can damage the artificial turf.
Eco-leather is a synthetic material whose properties are very similar to natural leather. It feels soft and thin to the touch.
Eco leather
Detailed overview of eco-leather fabric, its properties and characteristics
more details
In terms of ironing characteristics, eco-leather is also similar to natural leather. It is recommended to iron it from the wrong side at a temperature of up to 100°C (1 point) through a double layer of gauze. After this, turn the skirt out and let it cool for 10-15 minutes.
A steamer and steam generator can be used to remove bruises on eco-leather; the treatment is performed from the reverse side.
In any case, regardless of what your skirt is made of - genuine leather, leatherette or eco-leather - before ironing it, you should check the method used on a small area of fabric. This way you can make sure that it will not spoil the product, but will only remove bruises and folds.
Vinegar
Home remedies for straightening wrinkles in leatherette have also been used successfully. For example, the following solution. To prepare it you will need 3% vinegar, soft water and fabric softener. Combine the components in equal parts. Pour the prepared solution into a spray bottle and spray the crumpled surface. Apply the composition only within the damaged area. Take the product in your hands and pull the material in the processing area to different edges. Stretching should occur to the sides of the fracture so that at this moment the surface is smoothed out. The exposure time of the composition is 3-5 minutes. The mixture is non-toxic and does not affect color, so there is no need to rinse it off. Now you can level the next section.
Advice. If there is no vinegar, a double dose of conditioner will replace it. And the composition will look like this: conditioner - 2 parts, water - 1 part.
Tips and prohibitions
To effectively iron a leather skirt and avoid damage, follow these guidelines:
- When washing a leather skirt in a machine, do not fill the drum completely so that the product does not wrinkle too much. Squeezing and twisting are unacceptable for the same reason.
- To find out how to properly iron a leather skirt, be sure to read the label on the back of the skirt from the manufacturer. It indicates not only the recommended ironing mode, but also the optimal temperature.
- You should always iron a leather skirt through a layer of fabric or gauze. If you touch it with the surface of the iron, a mark will immediately appear on the product, which you will not be able to get rid of later.
- When ironing a leather skirt, handle it carefully. Do not press it too hard with the iron or stretch it.
And keep in mind a few prohibitions that should not be violated when ironing a leather skirt:
- Do not bring the steamer or steam generator close to your skin. A jet of hot steam can damage the material and leave unwanted marks on it.
- Do not use moisturizers or natural leather smoothing sprays that contain alcohol or acetone.
- Do not iron or steam a skirt that has stains. After that, they can only eat into the fabric, and you will not be able to wash your favorite item.
If you follow all the rules and recommendations, you can keep your leather skirt in its original form and get rid of unwanted dents and creases.
How to smooth artificial leather at home
Modern samples of leatherette look attractive, have many advantages and are widely used in the light and haberdashery industries for sewing jackets, raincoats, skirts, bags and suitcases.
Eco-leather is considered an alternative to genuine leather. Outwardly, it looks like animal skin, elastic and pliable. Recovers well after being crushed. It is made from polyurethane. A strong and durable artificial material, not inferior to leather, is tarpaulin. It is dense and wrinkles little. Dermantin belongs to the category of mass-produced and cheap leather imitators. It has a fabric base with spraying. The material is short-lived and ironing it out at home is problematic.
Answers to popular questions
At what temperature is it better to iron a leather skirt?
To eliminate creases on natural leather, it is better to use the minimum heating temperature of the iron (up to 80-100°C) and low steam power from a steamer or steam generator.
How to ensure that a leather skirt does not wrinkle when stored after ironing?
Hang it on special skirt hangers, avoiding the use of clothespins or clips. Also make sure that other things hanging nearby are not pressing or crushing it.
Is it possible to avoid ironing a leather skirt?
Yes, wash it carefully on a delicate cycle or by hand, without spinning or twisting, and then dry it naturally in an upright position.
What to do if there are iron marks on your leather skirt?
Unfortunately, natural leather is very sensitive to high temperatures and deteriorates under their influence. Because of this, it is almost impossible to remove iron marks on the skin.
Precautionary measures
The material consists of a polyurethane coating fixed to a fabric base. The preservation of the structure and attractive appearance depends largely on proper care. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the disadvantages of the material:
- although eco-leather is considered abrasion-resistant, it should not be rubbed too hard or cleaned with hard brushes or abrasives;
- the structure is destroyed under the influence of high temperatures. The maximum that leatherette can withstand is 45-50 degrees;
- artificial material cannot be left in the sun for a long time: the synthetic coating dries out and cracks;
- Eco-leather items must be protected from contamination, since not every stain can be removed;
- To avoid creases, eco-leather should not be rubbed, twisted or squeezed too much. After washing or wet cleaning, items should be dried with a paper or cloth towel and any bruises should be straightened out. Keep in a shaded, well-ventilated place until completely dry.
Important! Eco-leather cannot be repaired, so things must be protected from mechanical damage. It can be difficult to smooth out leatherette, so clothes should not be left wrinkled for a long time.
What is the difference between Alcantara and eco-leather?
Among modern materials, Alcantara has recently become very popular.
Many car enthusiasts are interested in having the car interior covered with this unique fabric that imitates natural suede. This artificial suede is produced using an advanced spinning method. The result is a very thin fiber, which is then pierced and impregnated with an adhesive composition. The inner surface of the woven material is treated with abrasive. As a result, the pile rises and the fabric becomes soft and silky.
Differences between Alcantara and eco-leather:
- More susceptible to contamination due to the presence of small fibers on the surface.
- Heats up less under the sun's rays.
- More pleasant to the touch.
- Requires more careful care. If staining liquids get on the surface, you have to wash the fabric.
- More elastic. Alcatara car seat covers can be easily applied to the seats. But if eco-leather covers are not tightened correctly, then over time cracks appear in the material.
- Products made from Alcatara are more expensive than those made from eco-leather.
It is impossible to say for sure who is more susceptible to wear and tear of Alcantara or eco-leather - it all depends on how well they were made.
Information about eco-leather is increasingly convincing that this is the material of the future - absolutely safe for humans during operation, reliable and high-quality raw materials.
Is it possible to steam eco-leather?
For people who are afraid to iron, there is an excellent option for smoothing eco-leather. Why you can simply steam it with a special device.
As with any other method, it is recommended to first treat an inconspicuous area of the product to determine whether this method is suitable for leveling. The item needs to be given a certain volume; it is advisable to put it on a mannequin. If the latter is missing, attach it to a hanger.
Problem areas should be steamed for 3-5 seconds. A distance of at least 15 cm must be maintained. Do not touch the material with your hands, otherwise stains will appear. After cooling (approximately 30 minutes), the item is ready for use.
Recommendation: If a steamer is not available, use a regular hairdryer. In this case, the air stream must be warm, and it must be directed at a distance of at least 50 cm.
Exposure to steam
Exposure to steam is not allowed for all types of leatherette. If the manufacturer allows wet ironing, this can be done using an iron with a steam function or a steam generator.
First of all, the jacket is hung on hangers. All its details are carefully straightened out. After this, the steaming mode is turned on and the ironing procedure begins.
The iron or generator must be kept at a great distance from the product . If the leatherette is dense enough, a distance of 10-15 cm should be maintained. When working with thin leatherette, the distance should be increased to 20-25 cm.
The processing process should last until the folds are completely smoothed out. But you need to ensure that the material does not overheat. Once steaming is complete, leave the jacket until it cools and dries completely.
It is better not to touch leatherette while it is hot and wet, as traces may remain after touching.
How to remove creases on a leatherette bag
You can remove creases on a leatherette bag in the following ways:
- You will need a cotton sheet and paper. The bag must be thoroughly filled with sheets and closed. Soak the sheet in a bowl of hot water and wring it out. Wrap the product completely and let it dry.
- Fill your bag with paper. Treat any creases with a cosmetic product. Let it soak completely and wipe dry with a clean cloth.
One way or another, before attempting to correct defects, it is imperative to read the label. It indicates what can be used and what is completely prohibited. Because it’s not difficult to ruin a thing, but to restore it is very difficult.
