Storage of leather
After tanning and before processing leather is stored either in the tannery, at the leather trader or at the leather processing company. In order to avoid damage, storage must be carried out properly.
Leather is usually stored in shelves, on racks or left hanging.
The leather properties of elasticity and softness are in relation to a certain moisture content. Therefore leather needs to be stored in well-ventilated areas that are not too dry, at a uniform temperature of 15 - 20 ° C and a relative humidity between 50 - 70%. Higher temperatures should be avoided, lower temperatures up to 10 ° C are not a problem. But fluctuating temperatures and constant changes in humidity should be avoided as far as possible as this promotes aging of the leather.
If the humidity is too low, leather becomes brittle and harder over time. If the air humidity is too high and/or the air circulation is insufficient, there is a risk of mould formation with the corresponding odour. Avoid direct sunlight. The leather can fade and age faster. Leather should never be stored directly on cement floors or kept airtight, as there is a risk of condensation. This can lead to stains and mould growth.
It is advisable to store leather on shelves, with the lowest shelf being at least 10 cm from the floor and the leather should be stacked up to a maximum of 50 to 60 cm. If the stacks are too high, especially strongly greased leathers can suffer burn damage. Pressure from the weight can cause the leather to heat up.
The leather should be stored as flat as possible to avoid wrinkles and bumps. A leather storage area should be kept clean and also must be free from vermin. Due to the above reasons, it helps to regularly inspect the leather stored in warehouses.
Never store oily or greasy leather with other leathers to avoid stains.
Don`t store different colours together to avoid dye transfer and the transfer of different coloured leather fibres from the flesh side.
Newly delivered leather should always be inspected and relocated as soon as possible as the transport storage is usually not optimal for longer periods of time.
Too much pressure on the leather leads to wrinkles and small bumps.
Typical folds from incorrect storage. This must be sorted out in the final inspection.
Freshly finished leather may only be stored with a small load and without external heating, as otherwise the risk of gluing together of the leather cannot be excluded.
Leather storage in a tannery for furniture leather.
Leather storage in a leather merchant's store and at a furniture dealer.
Approx. 100 hides = Approx. 500 square meters of leather on a transport trolley. - Delivery to the car industry.
If stored incorrectly, leather gets creases and folds. It is much better to hang the leather during storage. Due to the weight of the leather, the folds are partly pulled out. Heat also can help. During the processing of the leather, hot air guns can be used and sometimes folds are also ironed. Some experts wet the leather before, to facilitate the procedure. The longer the leather was stored incorrectly, the more difficult it is to remove the wrinkles again.
Hanging leather. The most perfect variant. - This fold should not have been so processed.
The cleanliness of a leather or leather goods store is an absolute prerequisite. In addition to many other pests, which are only accidentally eating the leather (mice, rats, etc.), the larvae of some beetles (leather worm) particularly eat vegetable-tanned leather.
Vermin damage on old book covers.
Additional information
- Dents - Over stretching - Sagging in leather
- Wished deformation of leather
- Wished deformation by embossing
- The storing of rawhides
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