Care of Leather and Suede

Love the look of leather and suede, but hate caring for it? I have some tips that will help make it easier.

1. Leather should always be able to breathe when it is in storage, so never hang it in a plastic bag. To protect it from dust while it is hanging, buy some inexpensive king sized pillowcases, cut a hole in the top for a hanger and you've made an easy dust cover.

2. Polish leather shoes with the inside of a banana peel. It sound crazy, but the peel helps to condition the leather, it will look great.

3. Shine up and protect patent leather shoes with a little petroleum jelly.

4. If you get a grease stain on some leather, sprinkle the spot with some cornstarch and let it sit overnight. Brush it away in the morning and the cornstarch should have absorbed the grease.

5. Suede is even trickier to care for because it has a raised nap that can get matted and shiny. Occasionally rub suede with an emery board; it will loosen dirt and revive the nap.

6. Rub dried mud off of suede shoes with a white ink eraser, or try another piece of suede.

7. To treat spots, dab sparingly with a little full strength white vinegar.

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Unusual uses for Cornstarch on AOL's DIY Life!

Beautiful Stains

Beauty products are a part of life, but they can also cause spills and stains, I have some tips to get rid of these "beautiful" stains. If you think hair dye stains are permanent, think again. If you act quickly you can get rid of them. Spritz liberally with hairspray and allow it to dry for a couple of minutes. Then rub the area with some shampoo and wash it in cold water. For make-up stains from foundation to mascara grab a bar of soap. Put the stain face down on an absorbent white cloth, an old diaper works great for this. Dampen the soap and rub it into the back side of the stain. This will push the make-up out of the fabric rather than sending deeper into the fibers. Move the stain to different parts of the diaper so it doesn't re-absorb them. Wash it in cool water. For greasy stains like lotions and baby oil, blot as much as you can with a cloth and sprinkle with some cornstarch. Let it sit for ten minutes, shake it out and dab with white vinegar to break up the grease. Then launder. For hairspray build-up on walls, floors and mirrors dip an old washcloth into some rubbing alcohol and wipe it away. Remember the two primary rules of stain removal: Always test for colorfastness in a hidden area first, and never put your item in the dryer until you're sure the stain is gone.