Leather is a natural material. It takes on marks, softens and darkens a little with use. That is the material behaving as it should, not a fault. A small amount of regular care keeps a piece looking its best far longer than occasional heavy treatment.
Everyday care
- Wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth, then let it dry naturally, away from radiators, heaters and direct sun.
- Keep leather away from prolonged damp. If a piece gets wet, blot it and let it dry at room temperature.
- Never use household cleaners, solvents, alcohol wipes or baby wipes on leather.
- Keep perfume, hand sanitiser and hairspray off the surface. They can mark it permanently.
Conditioning
- Condition once or twice a year with a neutral leather cream. More often is rarely better.
- Apply a small amount to a soft cloth, work it in thinly and evenly, let it absorb, then buff.
- Test any new product on a small hidden area first: the base of a bag, the inside of a strap, the tongue of a shoe.
Storage
- Store bags loosely stuffed so they hold their shape, upright and out of direct sunlight.
- Use a breathable cotton dust bag rather than plastic, which traps moisture.
- Hang jackets on a broad-shouldered hanger. Wire hangers distort the shoulder line.
- Roll belts rather than folding them.
Footwear
- Use shoe trees, or lightly stuff shoes after wear, to help them dry and hold their shape.
- Rest a pair for a day between wears where you can.
- Brush off dust before polishing, and build shine in thin layers.
Marks and scratches
Light surface scratches on full-grain leather can often be reduced by warming the area gently with a fingertip and buffing with a soft cloth. Deeper marks, ink, oil and dye transfer are best left to a professional leather specialist. Home remedies usually make them worse.
Still unsure?
If you are not certain how to treat a particular piece, message us through the Contact page before trying anything. Tell us which product it is and what happened, and we will tell you what we would do.