Leather Care

Proper care of your leather products is essential to maintaining their quality and longevity. Follow these steps to ensure your leather items remain in excellent condition for years to come.

Some of this depends on the type of leather you're caring for. There are a few main types:

• Vegetable Tanned

  Most Italian vachetta leathers, natural-style veg tan, and tooled leather. This is tanned through a mostly natural process that can take weeks or months, using vegetables and extracts after a salt and lime solution, typically using natural materials. "Veg tan" leather is typically more durable, and natural feeling, and can often be stamped or tooled easily.

• Chrome Tanned

  This includes crazy horse, various bag and shoe leathers, and upholstery leather. The tanning process is much faster, although it uses chromium salts which aren't as environmentally friendly. You can produce more vivid colors with chrome tanning and the hides are often slightly more water resistant than their veg tan counterparts, but products often can't be stamped or tooled easily and may not hold up quite as well long term.

1. Cleaning Your Leather

To clean your leather, use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe away any dust or dirt. A horsehair brush can be used, especially on crazy horse and waxy/oily leathers to remove dust. Avoid using harsh chemicals or soaking the leather, as this can cause damage.

2. Conditioning Your Leather

Leather requires regular conditioning to keep it soft and supple. Apply a leather conditioner a few times a year to prevent the leather from drying out and cracking. Don't over-saturate or over-condition. Try on a small, concealable place first, as some products and leather combinations may darken for a few days, or darken permanently. We generally recommend a few options:

• Oils

  Neatsfoot or mink oil are both great options. Oils typically penetrate deeper, but can cause some darkening, so use with caution (a little goes a long way!). Neatsfood may give a slightly yellow tone, while mink may give a slightly reddish tone.

• Balms

  Leather balms generally consist of a few main ingreidents; often waxes and oils. They generally don't penetrate as well as neatsfoot or mink oil, but do a good job of adding a protective layer thanks to the wax content. Smith's leather balm is a favorite standby, as it has just three ingredients - cocoa butter, beeswax, and sweet almond oil. It's organic and is also great for your hands!

• Creams

  Creams generally don't penetrate as well as pure oils, but are easier to apply than balms. Saphir makes great products, and we also like Fiebing's Aussie conditioner as it works well, and often doesn't darken much

3. Storing Your Leather Items

When not in use, store your leather items in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid placing leather products in plastic bags, as this can trap moisture and lead to mold growth. Instead, use a breathable fabric cover or a dust bag to protect your items.

4. Protecting Leather from Water

While leather is naturally water-resistant to some degree, excessive exposure to water can cause damage. If your leather item gets wet, gently blot the excess water with a dry cloth and allow it to air dry at room temperature. Avoid using heat sources like hairdryers, as this can dry out and damage the leather.

5. Dealing with Scratches

Scratches are a natural part of leather's aging process and can add character to your items. However, if you'd like to minimize the appearance of scratches, gently rub the area with a soft cloth or your fingers. The natural oils in your skin can help to blend the scratch into the surrounding leather.

6. Avoiding Overstuffing

Overstuffing leather wallets, bags, or cases can cause them to stretch out of shape. Avoid carrying more items than the leather item is designed to hold to maintain its structure and appearance.

7. Regular Inspections

Periodically inspect your leather items for signs of wear or damage. Addressing small issues like loose stitches or fading early can help prevent more significant problems down the line.