• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

How They Cleaned Leather in the 1950s

June 24, 2024 By Nadeem Muaddi

The Hog Ring - This is How They Cleaned Leather in the 1950s

In 1956, The New York Times published a short blurb teaching women how to clean automotive leather.

The instructions, published in the newspaper’s “Food, Fashions, Family Furnishings” section, are strange, but also wildly sexist — using kitchen analogies to explain the process.

It’s also inaccurate. Here’s what the blurb says:

“To clean leather car upholstery, the Cleanliness Bureau suggests the following method: Shampoo it with a soap or detergent solution made by beating the suds with an egg beater until stiff as meringue. Sponge this solution over the leather surface, wipe it off and apply a clean cloth wet with warm water.”

Of course, we know better today. In fact, Hyde Leather published an entire care guide on how to clean automotive leather.

According to Hydes, cleaning auto leather is a five-step process:

  1. Dissolve a very small amount of plain soap in lukewarm water.
  2. Moisten a soft sponge or cloth with the solution and gently wipe the stain.
  3. Wipe the entire area with a damp, soap-free cloth.
  4. Absorb any excess water (there should be almost none) with a clean towel.
  5. Allow to air dry. Do not dry leather with heat dryers, hair dryers, etc.

What’s more, Hydes warns that you should “never use saddle soaps, oils, abrasives, cleaners, furniture polish, varnish or ammonia water on your leather interiors.”

To read and download the full care guide, click here. It includes loads of useful (and accurate) information on how to safely clean leather interiors.

To learn more about Hydes Leather visit their website. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Related Stories:

  • Hydes Soars with All-New Premium Italian Aviation Leather
  • Understanding the Benefits of Full Grain Leather
  • Subscribe to Hydes’ New YouTube Channel!

Filed Under: Archive, Industry History, Site Sponsors Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Hydes Leather, New York Times

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Leather Craft
  • Albright's Supply
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Hyde Leather
  • Keyston Bros
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring

THR Favorites

The Problem With DIY Upholstery

Ever have a customer come to your shop with a … [more] about The Problem With DIY Upholstery

What’s Your Type of Upholstery Shop?

Auto upholstery isn’t a uniform industry … [more] about What’s Your Type of Upholstery Shop?

The Hog Ring - Spotlight Customs - Spotlight Coffee

Spotlight Customs Just Launched its Own Coffee Brand

Like most trimmers, we start each day with a … [more] about Spotlight Customs Just Launched its Own Coffee Brand

The Hog Ring - Proof that Bentley Uses Forks to Trim Steering Wheels

Proof that Bentley Uses Forks to Trim Steering Wheels

No one believed us when we said trimmers at … [more] about Proof that Bentley Uses Forks to Trim Steering Wheels

Selecting the Correct Needle Point

Keystone Sewing Company has made available a … [more] about Selecting the Correct Needle Point

The Hog Ring - Sewing Machine Troubleshooting Guide

Sewing Machine Troubleshooting Guide

There's nothing more annoying than sitting … [more] about Sewing Machine Troubleshooting Guide

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Hydes Leather Drops New Luxury Aston Martin Leather Collection
  • Everything We Covered in September 2025
  • Sonnenland vs. Twillfast vs. Stayfast: Which Convertible Top Fabric Works Best?
  • Auto Upholstery Class! Learn How to Construct Car Seats in Just 5 Days
  • Firefighters Save Cat Trapped in Burning Upholstery Shop

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in