I have an old leather and brass belt and it needs to be cleaned what should i use ?

Question

What types of home cleaners can i use?

Answer 1

If you can detach the brass pieces from the belt it will be a lot easier to do. The cleaners (polish) you will use to clean the brass will discolor the leather and can in some cases damage the leather. If you cannot remove the brass objects (buckle, decorative pieces) use pieces of stiff (thick) paper or index cards to protect the leather from the polish. Do not use water and soap to clean leather belts. Water is leathers enemy. There are a lot of different types of leather and depending on what type of leather it is will determine what type of cleaner to use. If it vegetable tanned leather with no finish you can use just about any commercial leather cleaner just remember to test it on the back to make sure it will not discolor the leather in a way that will make you unhappy. I like to use Lexoil (spell check) if the leather has been finished you can use any cleaner that will not damage the finish (again try it on the back of the belt.) The old stand by cleaner of leather is called saddle soap and it uses a very little bit of water to make a lather that you wipe on in a circular motion and then wipe off with a clean dry soft cloth. If you do use anything that contains water make sure you do not soak the belt and I would use a good quality leather oil to keep the leather soft and to "feed the leather". Just be careful that whatever you use will not rub off and stain whatever clothing the belt is worn with. (Mink oil is Good and will help to water proof the belt. Also make sure you do not use so much that the leather becomes so soft that it stretches out of shape. Good luck and if I can be of any help just let me know.

Answer 2

Warm, soapy water is the gentlest cleaner you can use on anything, but use it sparingly on the leather. If it gets too wet it will dry out and be all nasty. If it's really dirty and you don't want to get it damaged beyond use, I'd have it professionally cleaned (most dry cleaners do leather).

Answer 3

Toothpaste or a paste of baking soda and water can shine up the buckle, but it its old/valuable you might be better off leaving the patina on it alone.