Nontoxic Leather Care
QUESTION:
I have a car with fine leather seats. I want to properly maintain the seats using nontoxic methods.
Advanced Products Distributors of Rockville, Maryland (800-421-1408) (http://www.apdinc.com/durgenrl.htm), has products that it claims are nontoxic:
The names of the products: are "Duroclean", "Durocare", and "Duromaintain".
QUESTION: Are these products really nontoxic and if so are they good products for fine leather?
I was also given the following recipes:
CLEANER:
1/4 cup of soap flakes
1 cup hot water
6 drops of mint or lavender essential oil
Dissolve the soap flakes in hot water, add essential oil and blend. Apply this formula with a soft brush, using gentle downward strokes. Wipe with a clean dampc loth. Buff dry with a towel.
CONDITIONER:
1/2 cup of olive oil
1/4 cup strong rosemary tea
1/4 cup vinegar
Combine all ingredients together in a spray bottle and shake well. Lightly spray and buff with a dry cloth.
QUESTION: Are these 2 recipes a safe and effective way to care for fine leather?
POSTED BY MARK :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 10/04/2006 12:17 AM
DEBRA'S ANSWER:
I can't comment on the commercial products you mentioned because their website locked up in two different browsers I tried. For the few minutes I was able to see the site, I didn't find a MSDS or other ingredients list. If you want to contact them and post their MSDS or ingredients list, I can tell you if the ingredients are toxic or nontoxic. That's good you are questioning their claim. Don't trust advertising that says a product is nontoxic. Get their ingredients list and MSDS. As to whether or not this product is effective and safe for your leather, I have no experience with it, so I can't tell you.
As for the homemade formulas, they both look safe to health to me. Again, I can't tell you how they might clean or affect leather seats.
I had leather seats in a sports car for some years and never cleaned or conditioned them. I currently have leather seats again and haven't had the need to clean them.
But I would like to hear from anyone who does have experiencing cleaning fine leather, so we can all know how to clean leather effectively and safely should the need arise. Readers?
Debra :-)
