Mastering Leather Care: Essential Tips to Preserve Your Leather for Years

Man holding Catholic leather travel journal cover.

Leather is a durable, high quality material made from the skin of an animal. Just like human skin, leather needs to be moisturized regularly to keep it supple and reduce the visibility of scratches and wear from prolonged use. 

Leather is a wonderfully durable high-quality material. The most common type of leather is made from the skin of cows. And just like our human skin, leather needs to be moisturized regularly in a process called conditioning. Learn these leather care tips to keep your leather items preserved for generations.

How can you tell your leather item needs conditioning?

One way is by sight. Does your leather item look dry, have small cracks, or look wrinkled? Is it fading in color from exposure to the elements? Then it may be time to moisturize it. 

Another way is by feel. Run your hand along the surface of your leather item and feel if it's rougher, or dry. Test if it feels stiffer or brittle. This may indicate that you need to condition the leather. 

Steps to Condition your Leather:

Firstly: Remove any personal items from your leather product. Missals, rosaries, sunglasses, or cards from your wallet. These things can be damaged by the oily conditioning product used to restore your leather. 

Second: Make sure your leather is clean. Spot clean your leather with a small bit of water and a soft bristle brush. Then dry with a soft white cloth. 

Third: Test a spot in an inconspicuous area of your leather item with your leather conditioner to make sure the product you are using doesn’t cause discoloration. 

On Missal covers; that would be on the riveted tab that holds the top of the zipper on the inside. On a wallet; on the inside flap. On a sunglasses case or rosary pouch, the bottom.

To test: Use a soft, dry white cloth to rub a small amount of conditioning product onto the surface of the leather and let it dry fully. Typically 24 hours. 

Fourth: Once you have tested your leather conditioner and it is safe to use on your item, use a soft, dry white cloth to rub a small amount of product on the outside surface of the leather. (Do not use conditioner on the inside surface of leather. It does not have a protective coating and it can cause permanent damage.) Use gentle, circular motions and let air dry flat. 

It is recommended to condition your leather every 6 months to a year depending on how dry your climate is. 

What product do I use?

Leather conditioners come in many different forms. Oils, waxes, and creams are the most common types. It all comes down to personal preference.

Leather Oil: Works well for really dry, cracked leather surfaces for deep penetration and moisturization. [Can be messier to work with]. Natural oils such as Lanolin (from sheep) and Neets foot are typically used and work very well. 

Leather Wax: Not used so much for restoring moisture but can be good if high-use items need a water resistant layer such as leather boots. 

Leather Creams: Works well for moderately dry or cracked leather items and is easier to work with than the oil alternative. 

Is there such thing as over-conditioning leather? 

• Yes, leather can be over moisturized causing it to become sticky, oily, or soft and damage the fibers of the leather over time. All conditioning products should feel dry to the touch after 24 hours. If not, use a dry, soft cloth to remove any excess.