Why Is My Leather Peeling and What Should I Do to Fix It?

Real leather accessories aren’t cheap, so when you invest in them, you expect them to last. If you’ve started to notice your leather peeling, you’re sure to feel frustrated.

Why does leather peel, and what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out.

4 Common Causes of Leather Peeling

When high-quality leather is properly cared for, it should age beautifully. However, if you've noticed that your leather accessories or other products are starting to peel or crack, there are a few common causes. 

1. Lack of Maintenance

Leather is made of animal skin, so it’s important to regularly moisturize it. To do this, you’ll want to purchase a high-quality leather conditioner and apply it regularly. Refer to the instructions on the label to make sure you apply it correctly.

It’s also important to pay attention to the humidity levels where you live. If you’re in a dry climate, you’ll need to apply the conditioner more often.

2. Improper Cleaning

Sometimes, when it looks like your leather is peeling, it’s actually the sealant or finish that has been applied to the top of the leather. This is most often caused by using the wrong types of cleaners.

Avoid anything that contains chemicals or solvents. Sometimes even something as gentle as a baby wipe can cause damage. This is why you’ll always want to only use products made specifically for leather.

3. Poor Quality Leather

Does leather peel? Yes, but only when you’re dealing with a low-quality product. For example, bonded leather peeling is quite common.

This is a cheap alternative to quality, full-grain leather and it’s not nearly as durable. It’s made from scraps of recycled leather that have been glued together with a strong adhesive. It’s then covered with a polyurethane overlay.

This is often found on upholstery, like chairs and sofas. Peeling is a common problem on this type of furniture because bonded leather can only stretch so far. When it’s pushed to its limits it will start to peel and becomes unsightly very quickly.

Wondering how to stop bonded leather from peeling? The same way you stop real leather from peeling—moisturize it often! If you start to notice bonded leather peeling, you can also use a leather repair kit, which is fairly effective if you catch it early.

4. Fake Leather

It’s also possible that you’ve been bamboozled and have purchased a fake leather product. These are usually made from synthetic materials like PVC or polyurethane. Unfortunately, these materials are not durable at all and often start to crack and peel after just a few months of use.  

Shop for High-Quality Leather Goods Today

Now that you’re aware of the most common causes of leather peeling, you can feel confident that all of the leather products you buy in the future will serve you well for years.

Whether you want to make an impression with a stunning leather handbag, a beautiful phone case, or other great leather accessories, we’ve got you covered! Browse through our inventory today—you’ll be glad you did!