When professional cleaning has disappointed

When leather comes back from cleaning paler and looser than it was before, that is very disappointing. This is a known problem and usually not the cleaner's fault. What to do now.

Why does leather look worse after cleaning?

Specialist leather cleaners usually work with solvents that completely degrease the leather. This is necessary to remove deeply embedded dirt and stains, but it has a side effect: the leather also loses the fats that give it shape and depth of colour. It then appears paler and “looser” until it is replenished.

In addition, cleaning with solvents can affect the colour layer, and colour after-treatment is often necessary; otherwise the leather appears patchy or uneven.

Who bears responsibility?

In rare cases, a specialist cleaner also makes a mistake. More often, however, there is another problem: according to the care label, the leather was declared “solvent-resistant”, but in practice it is not. In this case, responsibility lies with the retailer who labelled the garment incorrectly, not with the cleaner that relied on the information.

What to do now

Step 1: first clarify with the cleaner itself whether correction is possible. Reputable businesses generally try this, for example by replenishing the leather with their own products.

Step 2: if the result remains unsatisfactory or the cleaner sees no possibility of correction, contact us and submit a workshop enquiry with photos. We will assess whether replenishing the leather and, where necessary, colour after-treatment can restore it to a good condition.

For minor cases, you can work with the following products:
Replenish pigmented smooth leather with Care & Waterproofing Oil, and open-pore smooth leather (aniline leather) and suede leather with Colourlock Aniline Protector. Minor colour variations can be blended with Colourlock Leather Fresh in a matching colour. It is best to contact us beforehand so that we can advise you on the likelihood of success.