Acetone - the perfect leather cleaner?

Many of our customers frequently ask us if acetone can be used for dye preparation instead of Fiebing's Deglazer or PURE 100%, as a finish remover so to speak.
Sorry, but - the answer is no!

Acetone is not even suited for the classical leather cleaning or as a stain remover. Acetone is very low-cost, has an immediately visible effect and can be bought anywhere (in every DIY shop or 'Home Depot' or drugstore and comes as nail polish remover). 
We would like to explain to you why you should never - never ever - use acetone on leather! 

The only exception that can be made is for costume departments. If leather jackets, bags or shoes must be aged optically and destroyed for a film or a play, then acetone is the perfect choice.   

How does acetone work?

Acetone destroys the basic structure of the leather as it dissolves all the components added during tanning. No matter whether the leather has been vegetable or minerally tanned, or tanned with greases. 

Acetone not only destroys the wear layer (upper side - i.e. grain side) of the leather, but also the tanning components and the fibre structure.
The leather becomes brittle, cracks can occur and even holes.  

After treatment with acetone, the leather cannot be "saved" any more!
Even a treatment with best greases, waxes or lotions will not help - the leather remains destroyed. 

Acetone is a highly toxic substance and very harmful to the human body. 
It is absorbed through the skin and respiratory tract. This can lead to dizziness, nausea and eczma on the skin (if you did not wear gloves).

The right dye prep without acetone

Any leather has to be prepared thoroughly for dyeing! Tanning or finishing residues (waxes, greases, lacquers etc. ) have to be removed as otherwise the dye cannot penetrate the leather and acrylic dye cannot adhere to the surface.  

There are excellent products for that purpose that do not harm the leather: 
PURE 100%, Fiebing's Deglazer or Fiebing's Dye Prep 

Leather cleaning and care 

For leather cleaning, we gladly recommend a classical leather and saddle soap - e.g.  Fiebing's Saddle Soap. Saddle soap has regreasing components. It cleans and cares for leather.  

But there are also modern products for care and cleaning: e.g. Fiebing's 4-Way Care - a cleaning and care lotion. 

After dyeing or cleaning, you should give your leather some extra care. Treat your leather to a premium leather grease. You will see how quickly it absorbs the care.
The leather regains its original appearance.

In conclusion we can say that:

Using acetone as nail polish remover, adhesive thinner, household cleaner etc. is okay - In connection with leather, however, the following applies: Hands off acetone!
Your leather will thank you.