Leather Care Instructions
Finished Leather
We want you to know how best to care for your new purchase to ensure it lasts a lifetime.
When you buy a leather Artisan & Lær product, you are buying an individually unique, quality, handcrafted piece.
Over time, your leather piece will not look the same as it does today. That is part of leather’s unique appeal. We want you to enjoy this experience of leathers natural evolving patina transforming into a one-of-a-kind treasure, as it wears your story of age.
Your piece should express your individuality and make you feel as unique as you are, therefore when you expose your leather piece to the elements, it will develop a unique and desirable patina. Scratches, scuffs or marks from daily wear and tear are an interpretation of character.
Avoid Chemicals
Do not use chemical products to clean your leather piece. Chemical cleaners and conditioners will damage the surface of the leather & any paints, dyes or sealants that have or may have been used.
When it Gets Wet
*Do not spot clean leather; clean the entire surface.
Avoid getting your piece wet where possible, however if you do get caught in the rain, or your piece does happen to get wet, do not panic.
Gently blot away any water immediately with a soft, dry cloth and let it dry naturally away from a direct source of heat and sunlight. Do not place your piece next to a heater or attempt to dry it with a hair dryer. To speed up the drying process, place it inside away from direct sunlight under a fan.
Storing Your Leather Piece
*Please note that these care guidelines are for finished cow leather. Different instructions may apply when dealing with other types of leather, like suede.
That being said, these care tips do not just apply to your leather Artisan & Lær piece, but to any products made from cow leather, such as leather jackets or even sofas and chairs.
We recommend keeping your leather piece in a breathable cotton dust bag when it is not in use, where possible. Otherwise, storing it in a cool, dry place that has reasonable air flow and out of direct sunlight is also best.
HOW TO CONDITION YOUR LEATHER
First: Clean Your Leather
*Do not spot clean leather; clean the entire surface.
You do not need any special products to keep your leather looking good – for heavier soiled leather, simply dip a clean, soft cloth in a very dilute soap and lukewarm water solution and gently wipe the surface of your piece, taking care not to rub or scrub. Otherwise, for general routine maintenance, lightly wiping a clean and dry soft cloth over the surface of your piece will suffice.
Second: Test a Spot First
Before you try a new leather conditioner on your leather goods, always make sure you test it out on an inconspicuous place. On purses, this can be the bottom of the bag; on shoes, a spot at the base of the heel; on belts, the area where the belt overlaps.
This is an essential step since some leather conditioners can cause permanent discoloration. High-quality leathers like full-grain or aniline leathers are particularly susceptible but marring and discoloration can happen on any quality or grade of leather.
To test, rub a small amount of the conditioner into a small spot with a soft, clean cloth and then let it dry for at least 24 hours before checking the results.
If there is no colour change to your leather, you can proceed safely with conditioning the rest of the piece. There is no need to test again on that piece in the future if you continue to use the same brand and type of conditioner.
Third: Condition Your Leather
Leather conditioners are products that are designed to moisturize your leather goods and help keep the fibres pliable. There are lots of commonly available leather conditioners; the one you choose will depend upon the type of leather, how it’s used, and your own preference.
Once you’ve found a leather conditioner that you like that doesn’t mar your leather, you can condition your leather goods whenever you feel like the leather is getting dull or dry.
Some experts advocate conditioning every 6 to 12 months, but this is entirely dependent on the environment your leather is in, the amount of use it gets, and your own preferences.
Leather conditioner is a moisturizer, and, just like the skin on your body, leather will soak it up.
This means that you should not expect your leather to be shiny just because you have applied conditioner. Leather fibres, like skin, will drink in the conditioner, absorbing as much as it can. The excess can be wiped away with a soft cloth, leaving a smooth, supple surface.
There are several products you can use to condition all types of leather:
Leather creams — provide moisture with the least change in colour and are great for aniline leathers.
Leather oils — Natural oils like lanolin and neatsfoot can help soften leather, but will darken or change the shade of colour.
Leather waxes — Waxes don’t moisturize as well, but they do provide more waterproofing.
We use and stock a variety of Leather Care Products by Bee Kind and Co, who are a New Zealand owned and operated business, making 100% Natural, Handmade Products and are available for purchase.