Best Ways To Care For, Clean And Store Leather Belts

The purchase of a new leather belt is an investment in style and money. Here are some ways to help you make that investment pay off for years to come.

• Depending on how dirty your belt has gotten, the simplest way to keep it clean is to dust it off with a soft, dry, rag or cloth when you have finished wearing it. Dry, dusty dirt will wipe off easily and leave no traces.
• If something accidentally spills on your belt, blot the stains with a clean cloth or rag and use and use a product that was specially formulated for cleaning leather, followed by a leather softening agent.
• If you have a serious stain on your belt, bring it to your local dry-cleaning establishment and have them take care of it professionally. Be aware that dry cleaning if done improperly can cause further damage to your belt. Make sure that your cleaner is experienced in the proper method of dry-cleaning leather garments.
• Properly caring for your leather belt will extend its life, as well as help you to avoid getting an irreparable stain on it. When you purchase a new belt, spray it with a high-quality water and stain repellent before wearing it for the first time and again approximately every three months while you own it. 
• When storing your leather belt it is recommended that you hang it from its buckle on a tie or belt rack. Folding it up in a drawer can cause it to wrinkle and eventually crack. If you need to keep it in a drawer, you should curl it up, starting with the buckle and be sure it is not disturbed in a way that can cause it to become misshapen.
• Never hang a leather belt where it will be in direct sunlight as it can fade. Keep your leather belt in a well-ventilated place. Never store a leather belt in an attic as it will become to dry, lose its natural oils and crack, or a basement where it will become to damp and become a home for mold and mildew.

With the proper use, care, and storage, your new leather belt will give you years of enjoyment.