How to Care for Your Leather Gear

Like whiskey in a barrel or a fine wine, good leather gets better and more interesting with age. Over time, your wallet will develop a richer color and shine than what it was originally. This is what leather fans call a patina. We hope you'll embrace the fact that your leather is going to patina! It’s one of our absolute favorite things about leather, and it makes your wallet completely unique to you. 
To deliver on the promise of a handsome patina, we use full-grain leather that is not painted or “corrected” (i.e. when the top layer is removed). You may see scratches, scars, or wrinkles, all of which are all normal for this natural material.

The Standard Rules of Leather Care:

Now that we've set the expectation that this leather's beauty is in its imperfections—and that it most certainly is going to change over time—the best way to keep your leather wallet in good condition is to take good care of it:

1. Avoid exposure to water
   Water can leave unwanted splotches and splashes on your leather—even a light rain can leave behind marks.
2. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and heat
   Prolonged exposure to sunlight or harsh temperatures can zap oils and dry out leather, causing cracking or stiffness.
3. Limit exposure to other dyed goods, such as denim 
   Even after washing, darkly died denim can transfer color to your leather. Limit the time your leather spends in dark denim pockets—especially a damp dark denim pocket.
4. Limit exposure to oils and lotions, such as sunscreen 
   We're not gonna ask you to wash your hands before handling your own wallet, but it is smart to limit exposure to greasy substances as much as possible. 
5. Use proper leather care products only when needed 
   But which leather care products are "proper," you ask? Here's a quick breakdown: 

When you need to do the occasional wallet cleaning

Usually it's enough to simply remove dirt with a soft cloth that's warm and damp using gentle strokes (no scrubbing). Because most treatments affect the color and look of the leather, always test an inconspicuous area first. And instead of spot-treating, be ready to treat the entire surface of the leather. For stubborn stains, try a saddle soap with a toothbrush or other soft bristle brush on the blemish, then treat the rest of the surface with a soft cloth. For the visual learners out there, we have a full tutorial in our FAQ. 

In general, these products are safe to use on leather:

• Conditioners will soften stiff or dehydrated leather
• Saddle soaps can clean soiled leather 
• Waxes and silicone increase water resistance 
  

Here are some specific leather care products that come highly recommended:

Bickmore LP or Obenauf's LP for dry or scratched leather

Fiebing's Saddle Soap for dirty or stained leather

Saphir Super Invulner Spray to protect and waterproof 

One Final Thought:

Let your leather serve as a reminder that wrinkles are earned, getting older can be beautiful, and good things take time.