Keep your leather goods in tip top shape with a little TLC.
I know I am biased, but vegetable tanned leather is the best leather! It patinas beautifully, molds to the objects inside it (like a wallet) or to your body (belts & harnesses), but requires some extra care to keep it moisturized and strong. Without the proper care, your leather can dry out and become brittle. Follow these simple steps to keep your leather healthy.
To Clean:
Never submerge your leather in water! To clean, take a clean, cotton rag, dip it in water so it is slightly damp and wipe the outer surface of the leather. Wipe immediately with a dry rag to soak up any access moisture.
I’m not really a fan of using any sort of soap on leather, but when it is 100% necessary, saddle soap can do the trick. Leathercult has a great article on how and why to use saddle soap.
You don’t really want to clean the suede side of leather. If it is against your body (like with a harness), your body oils are helping to moisturize the leather. This is a good thing. If the suede side gets dirty with something else, wait for it to dry, then wipe it off with a dry rag or brush.
Moisturize:
Once the dirt/grime has been wiped away, you want to moisturize your leather. Not to gross anyone out, but let’s remember that leather is SKIN. How would your skin look if you never moisturized it? As someone who lives in Minnesota, home to cold, DRY winters, I can tell you that under-moisturized skin cracks.
Everyone who loves leather has a different favorite product for moisturizing. I have been told by leather merchants in Italy to use Nivea Hand Cream. A lot of old-school leather workers swear by Mink Oil (I’m not a fan, as it has a distinct smell - also it is a byproduct of an industry that shouldn’t really exist anymore). Just like human body lotion, there are a million options, from all natural to full of chemicals. Choosing one is 100% subjective to your preferences. My favorite that I’ve found so far is Dr. Jackson’s Hide Rejuvenator. It is created by Tandy Leather and is a mix of oils and waxes. I’m not exactly sure what it is comprised of, but it does make for a soft, supple leather.
If you want to be sure of what is in your moisturizer, there are tons of DIY videos for mixing up your own. This is something that I’ve been wanting to do for awhile, so stay tuned. I may be making my own moisturizer.
Once you get your moisturizer, follow the manufacturers’ instructions. They’ll usually tell you to test first on an inconspicuous area. It can often darken the leather, but this is a natural response to replenishing the oils in the leather. If you are ok with the result in the hidden area, apply liberally to the surface of the leather. Only use moisturizer on the skin side, not the suede side. Let sit for 10 minutes or so. Wipe excess off and rub the whole piece with a clean, dry rag.
How Often?
The frequency of leather maintenance varies greatly on climate and use of the leather goods. If it is something that is often outside, in the elements or sunlight, it will need more care, like once a month. If you live in a humid place and store your piece in a pretty stable temperature in the dark, you could get away with 1-2 times a year. Most items need a little love every 2-3 months.
Storage:
If you aren’t wearing your leather goods very often, make sure they are stored appropriately to lengthen their lifetime. Like all things that we want to keep for a long time (art, heirlooms, really amazing shoes, etc.), the ideal storage solution is climate controlled. You want to avoid the extremes of hot/cold, dry/moist and keep it out of the sun.
For most of us, the best storage solution would be a regular ol’ closet, with the piece stored in a cotton bag. NEVER store your leather in plastic bags! This traps in moisture and causes issues with mildew and mold. A cotton bag (like a pillowcase) allows air flow while keeping dust off.
Do you have any leather care tips to share?
As I said earlier, leather care is super subjective and there are a lot of different preferred methods. If you want to share your favorite techniques, feel free to comment below!