What to Use to State Rawhide Lamp Shades
November 13, 2020
If you travel to the American southwest, your souvenirs may include rawhide lampshades. These attractively translucent colors can crack in low-humidity surroundings if you don’t look after them. As with other high-quality leather goods, they need regular conditioning.
State with Neatsfoot Oil
The very best method to keep rawhide supple would be to state it regularly with neatsfoot oil, that is derived from the shin bones and feet of cattle — “neat” is an archaic English word for cattle. Apply it with a cloth and rub it in until the leather consumes it. You should do this monthly if you don’t live in a dry climate, where it’s better to do it weekly.
More Care Pointers
Even if you stay in a climate with average humidity, then your home tends to be drier in the winter months, once the central heating system is on; the lampshade needs more frequent conditioning during these weeks. Avoid using a incandescent or halogen bulb, which both generate high heat. Rather, use a compact fluorescent or LED bulb.