Professional Guide to Genuine Leather Care for Restaurants and Cafés

How to Care for Genuine Leather: Material-Focused Guide for Professional Use

Genuine leather is a natural, long-lasting material that looks better the longer you use it – if you care for it properly. In restaurants, cafés and hotels leather is exposed to moisture, oils and constant touch, so a simple but regular care routine is essential.

Below is a concise guide to how natural leather behaves and how to clean, protect and store it in a professional environment.

What Genuine Leather Really Is

Leather is tanned animal hide with a dense network of collagen fibres. This structure makes leather:

• Strong and resistant to tearing
• Flexible and comfortable to touch
• Slightly porous and breathable

Because leather is porous, it can absorb water, oils and pigments – both from care products and from stains.

Surface Finish and Patina

Premium leathers are usually full-grain or top-grain, often drum-dyed and sometimes oiled or waxed. They may show small marks and shade variations and, with time, develop a natural patina – a soft, lived-in look. This is normal and desirable. True damage appears as deep cracks, peeling layers or strong discoloration after harsh treatment.

How Leather Behaves in Real Life

Water and Moisture

• Short contact with water is acceptable if you blot and let the leather dry naturally.
• Soaking and fast drying on heat sources make leather stiff and brittle.
• Constant humidity may cause deformation, mold and odour.

Oils, Fats and Friction

• Skin oils, food fats and cosmetics can darken frequently touched areas.
• On oiled leathers this often blends into the patina; heavy kitchen fats can leave permanent stains.
• Rough surfaces, sharp objects and constant bending can create scratches or breakage, especially on dry leather.

Daily Care: Simple Routine for Genuine Leather

Daily care keeps leather looking fresh and prevents deep contamination.

Dry Cleaning with a Soft Cloth

1. Once a day take a soft, dry microfiber cloth.
2. Wipe the leather surface to remove dust, crumbs and fingerprints.
3. Pay attention to edges, folds and seams.

Gentle Removal of Fresh Marks 

1. Blot immediately – do not rub.
2. Use a clean, dry cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible.
3. If needed, lightly dampen another cloth with water and wipe once.
4. Let the leather dry in the air at room temperature.

Let Leather Breathe 

Do not store leather tightly packed while still damp. Leave space for air circulation and avoid fully closed boxes. This prevents odour and mold.

Periodic Cleaning of Genuine Leather

Besides daily wiping, schedule deeper cleaning:

Step-by-Step Cleaning

1. Dust off: remove loose dirt with a dry cloth.
2. Apply cleaner: put a small amount of pH-neutral leather cleaner on a soft cloth (never directly on leather).
3. Test: try it on a hidden area to check colour and feel.
4. Clean: wipe with light circular motions; the surface should be only slightly damp.
5. Remove residue: if needed, wipe again with a clean, lightly damp cloth.
6. Dry naturally: leave at room temperature, away from heaters and sun.

Conditioning Genuine Leather

If leather feels dry, use a quality leather conditioner:

• Apply a thin layer with a soft cloth.
• Work it in evenly and let it absorb.
• Polish gently with a clean cloth.

For most professional use, conditioning every few months is enough.

What You Must Never Do to Genuine Leather

• Do not use bleach, chlorine, strong degreasers, ammonia or vinegar/soda “home hacks”.
• Do not clean with alcohol-based wet wipes.
• Do not wash leather under running water or soak it in buckets or machines.
• Do not dry on radiators, with hairdryers or in direct sun behind glass.
• Do not scrub with hard brushes, abrasive sponges or any rough tools.

Dealing with Typical Issues

Water Spots

• Minor rings may disappear as the leather absorbs moisture evenly.
• If a ring remains, very lightly dampen a larger area around it and let it dry again.

Oil and Grease Stains

• Blot excess oil with a dry cloth; do not rub or add water.
• Use specialised leather degreaser only after testing on a hidden area.
• On dark, oiled leather a small stain may blend into the patina over time.

Scratches and Light Marks

• On many leathers, light scratches soften if you gently rub them with a fingertip or soft cloth.
• Deep cuts cannot be fully removed but can look less sharp after conditioning.

Color Migration

• Fresh, richly dyed leathers may slightly transfer colour under friction and moisture.
• Wipe them with a dry cloth a few times before intensive use and avoid contact with very light textiles at the beginning.

Storage Rules for Genuine Leather

• Temperature: cool, stable room temperature away from heaters.
• Humidity: avoid very damp or very dry rooms.
• Light: keep away from direct sunlight and strong artificial light.
• Ventilation: use fabric covers or cardboard boxes, not sealed plastic bags.
• Pressure: do not place heavy objects on top of leather items.

Before long-term storage, clean and fully dry the leather, then condition it lightly if it feels dry. After storage, simply wipe off dust and inspect the surface.

Quick Checklist: Leather Care as a System

Every day

• Wipe leather with a soft dry cloth.
• Blot fresh marks immediately.

Every few weeks

• Clean with a mild leather cleaner.
• Let items dry naturally, away from heat and sun.

Every few months

• Condition lightly if the leather feels dry.
• Check for deeper damage.

Always

• Avoid harsh chemicals, alcohol-based wipes and soaking.
• Store in a cool, dry, ventilated place, protected from direct light.

Genuine Leather at Inko Horeca

Treat leather as a living material – clean it gently, protect it from extremes and let it develop its own patina. In return, it will serve you for years and only become more attractive over time.