A little water doesn't harm leather at all, and most leather products have a protective layer that gives you plenty of time to clean up water spills before the leather absorbs it. When spills and small amounts of water damage the leather, they usually only cause the leather to become stiff. Leaving leather exposed to water for an extended period of time can cause water damage, which can cause it to lose its flexibility and soft texture. We also suggest applying a water and stain repellent, such as Leather Milk water repellent and leather protector, to prevent any future damage.
It is naturally water resistant to small amounts of water, but requires additional testing with a sprayer. You can do everything you can to avoid any water damage to your leather products, but you can still get caught in the rain with your favorite leather boots. Be sure to properly clean and dry the leather, if the water source may contain bacteria or other forms of impurities, especially from rainwater. So what happens to leather when it gets wet? Skin oils bind to water molecules, so as the water dries and evaporates, it begins to extract the oils.
Although the process can take a long time, it will help to extract water to help prevent further damage. The best solution to prevent any prolonged water damage to your leather products is to dry them as soon as possible. Leather has natural oils that help maintain its softness and shine, but when water permeates it, it can cause natural oils to evaporate with water vapors. You should also pay special attention when it comes to rainwater or water that contains impurities, as they are more likely to cause mold and mildew buildup.
Still, it's worth looking for treatments and sprays that contain ingredients that contain natural oils that replace oil lost from water damage and help seal in moisture.