Mallika Sharma
Certified Leather Care Technician
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Co-authored Articles (74)
10 Simple Ways to Check if Genuine Leather is Real
Spot fake vs real leather by look, feel, & smell Products made of genuine leather are a class apart from their faux leather counterparts due to their natural, rich, and elegant finish. However, synthetic leather made fro...
How to
Repair Faux Leather
Faux leather is also known as imitation, synthetic, or artificial leather. It has a similar appearance to natural leather, but faux leather items typically consist of a fabric base with a polyurethane coating. This compo...
How to
Repair Torn Leather
Repairing a leather tear can be a little time consuming, but it shouldn’t be excessively difficult if the damage is relatively small. To fix a leather tear, get a leather repair kit with a color compound that matches t...
How to Tell the Difference Between Fake & Real Chanel Bags
A simple guide to authenticating Chanel handbagsChanel is a luxury fashion brand that is well known for their signature quilted purses and other chic handbags. Because Chanel bags are highly sought after, it’s common f...
How to
Get Oil Out of Suede
Suede is known for its soft, comfortable texture as well as its delicacy. However, even though suede is hard to clean, you can remove oil stains with some basic household products. Use an absorbent material to pull fresh...
How to
Restore a Leather Jacket
A leather jacket is a prized possession that, when cared for correctly, can be worn proudly for life. However, leather jackets start to dry out and fade after years of wear. When your old trusty jacket starts to look wor...
How to
Repair Cracked Leather
Cracks often appear when leather dries out or is exposed to sunlight. The fibers in the leather abrade one another. Although the damage is permanent, many cracks are easy to hide by rehydrating the leather with a good co...
A Complete Guide to Cleaning Leather, Suede, & Fabric Coach Purses
Coach’s official instructions + expert-backed cleaning tipsCoach is renowned for their stylish leather, suede, and canvas purses. But you may have noticed that with wear, they can get a bit dirty! Luckily, there are pl...
How to
Get Smoke Odor Out of Leather
Smoky odors, whether from being around things like a bonfire or cigarette smoke, can be tricky to get out of materials. There are lots of regular household items like vinegar, baking soda, or cat litter that you can use ...
How to
Hand Sew Leather
Sewing leather by hand makes for a traditional and handsome project. Stitching through leather is not as difficult as it may seem. Whether your leather project is large or small it can be simple. Gather a few importan...
How to Get Bad Smells Out of Leather Jackets, Couches, Shoes & More
Expert-backed remedies for removing funky smells from your leather Leather is a material made from tanned animal hide, and it’s a popular choice for making jackets, furniture, shoes, purses, belts, and other products. ...
How to
Repair a Faux Leather Sofa
Faux leather is cheaper than real leather, and oftentimes easier to clean. Unfortunately, it is prone to peeling and cracking after long periods of time. If you don't treat the damage right away, it can spread. Luckily, ...
How to
Repair Scratches on Leather Furniture
No matter how careful you are around your leather furniture, it’s very common for leather furniture to get scratches due to normal use. This is especially the case if you live in a household with pets or small children...
How to Harden Leather: A DIY Guide
Make your leather more durable with these techniques If you plan on making leather accessories or other leatherwork, you may need to stiffen the leather so it holds its shape. Luckily, there are a ton of effective ways t...
Simple Tricks to Remove Odors from Old Leather Bags
Get rid of musty & smoky smells from vintage purses & bags Leather bags can start to smell old, mildewy, and unpleasant when they’re kept in moist conditions or stained with food. Luckily, there are several simple solu...
How to Restore a Leather Sofa: Fix Tears and Rips
Does your favorite leather couch have a tear, rip, or hole in it? Leather is both durable and long-lasting, but it can be prone to damage (especially if any children or pets are around). Fortunately, repairing a leather ...
How to
Shrink Leather
If you have a leather item that you need to shrink, the easiest approach is to soak the leather in water, then dry the item in the sun or with a hairdryer. The combination of moisture and heat will tighten up the fibers ...
How to Renew a Leather Couch: Restore Color & Revive Your Aging Leather
Patch up and recolor your leather sofa for a complete rejuvenationLeather couches make for very durable and fashionable additions to almost any home. However, over time the leather on your couch might become dirty, stain...
How to
Fix Wrinkled Leather Car Seats
It can be a major bummer to find unsightly wrinkles and creases in your once-smooth leather car seats. And older vehicles aren’t the only victims—rushed or improper installation can sometimes result in cars arriving ...
How to
Fix Faux Leather Peeling
Faux leather is a synthetic material made from cheap base fabric and a polyurethane coating. With time and usage, faux leather will eventually begin to peel and flake off. Faux leather is difficult to repair, and many ex...
