How to Care for Leather Accessories
If you follow fashion like we do, you know that nothing lasts quite like leather. Whether you have a designer leather handbag, briefcase, or simply a pair of gloves, leather lends a unique, stylish quality to your accessories that gets better with age.
Distinctive yet durable, you don't need to place your favorite leather products in museum-quality storage to keep them looking amazing. You do, however, need to care for your leather items in a specific way so you can love them for a lifetime.
By following these leather care tips, you can know best how to care for and prevent damage to your favorite leather accessories.
Protect Your Leather from the Start
You will enjoy your leather accessories so much more when you initially and continually protect them. If you remember that leather is a skin, you can easily remember to give it the same attention as you would your own.
Just as you might spray sunscreen on yourself before your first day on the beach, you can use a protective spray on your leather accessories as soon as you get them home to protect them from moisture.
Because moisture draws out leather's natural oils, moisture can cause your leather to become dry and crack. As long as you spot-test it first, you can create a barrier with the spray that repels moisture and protects your leather.
Avoid Overpacking
When you have a Carl Friedrik luxury leather wallet or a fancy Gucci bag, for example, you may be tempted to overfill it. However, putting too many items in these types of leather accessories can permanently damage their silhouettes, which is one of the very reasons you invested in your leather products. Additionally, you may strain the zippers or other hardware, such as clasps, with overfilling.
Even if you haven't overstuffed your accessory, you can damage it by leaving items inside of it. If you plan to use a leather accessory, such as a bag, briefcase, or wallet the next day, avoid filling it with the contents you need. You can better maintain its silhouette by keeping it empty until you're ready to use it. If it's a bag or briefcase, you can even place acid-free tissue paper inside to prevent the sides from collapsing.
Clean Your Leather Accessories Often
For those leather accessories, you use often, take the time each week to wipe them clean with a soft, white cloth. If needed, you can use a damp, white cloth. Use this time to check your items for other damage, such as scratches or stains. If you see any stains, remove them promptly. The more you care for your leather, the longer it will last.
Store Your Leather Properly
Even if you're not using them, you can care for your leather products to keep them looking just as amazing as the day you bought them. Be sure to store them in a cool, dry place out of the sun and cover them.
You can store your leather accessories in the cloth bags that often come with them–they aren't just pretty packaging. Those bags protect your accessories from dust and any scuffs that may occur when you're moving things around in your closet.
If you don't have a cloth bag, a white cotton pillowcase works just as well, but avoid any cloth with color as well as plastic bags. Your leather needs ventilation, and plastic prevents leather from breathing.
Remember to keep the shape as natural as possible. If you're storing a belt, store it hanging flat instead of rolled up, which can stretch it and cause the metal to make imprints. If you're storing a bag, maintain the shape by storing it upright and not stacking anything on top of it or inside of it. If you're storing books or journals, avoid stacking them on top of each other or too closely on a shelf so that the leather can breathe.
Keep Your Leather Accessories Dry
When you remember that leather is a skin, it sounds contradictory to recommend that you avoid getting your leather wet. However, although our own skin craves moisture, excessive moisture damages your leather goods.
Prepare for rainy days and pack an umbrella to protect your leather accessories from the rain. If your leather does get wet, simply blot it dry with a clean, white cloth—microfiber works great—and let it air dry completely. Avoid using any heat source, such as a hairdryer or heater. Simply allow your leather accessories to dry naturally.
Protect the Inside
The longevity of your leather depends not only on how well the outside ages but also the inside. To maintain the value and style of your leather accessories, be sure to cap all pens and put all your cosmetics in a pouch before placing them into your beloved leather items.
In fact, just be very careful before you place anything inside your leather accessories. Nothing ruins the look of a beautiful bag more than opening it and seeing pen marks, cosmetics stains, or worse, rips and tears in the lining.
Consider What You're Wearing
You don't have to avoid wearing specific items when styling your look with your leather accessories. You should, however, be mindful of a few tips.
If you wear new denim with dark dyes against light-colored leather, the dye could rub off on your leather belt, bag, or wallet. Additionally, you risk scratching your beautiful pieces with chunky jewelry or clothing with embellishments.
Avoid Floors and Rough Surfaces
Just like you need to consider how your clothing and jewelry may affect your leather, be careful where you place your accessories while you're out. Placing leather items on floors or rough surfaces exposes it to bacteria, dirt, and stains, and you risk damaging your accessories with scuffs and rips that will need professional repair.
A well-loved leather accessory can last a lifetime. Daily maintenance and care allows you to enjoy the beautiful tonal shifts and subtle variations that develop over time. By following these leather care tips, not only can you enjoy your leather accessories for years to come, but also, you can enjoy how each piece tailors itself to your individual style.