How to take care of your leather article?

Want to maintain your leather goods and preserve your favorite pieces as long as possible? Discover the tips that will help you.

Leather is a durable material that develops a patina over time.
It has different aspects: smooth, grained, velvety, embossed, openwork, etc. Not all leather can withstand the same type of treatment. Knowing how to maintain it is essential to optimize its life span.

Our Phiori bag

Here are the tips provided by the CLC and the National Leather Council:

• What type of treatment for what type of leather?

1. 1. 1. Leather with a smooth or grained finish: start by cleaning it with a clean cloth or a slightly damp sponge. Once dry, add a touch of leather milk or cream and apply it with a soft cloth, turning gently.
      2. Suede leather (nubuck, split suede) : to clean it, simply dust it with a soft brush. On a stain, a small crepe "eraser" or a velvet spray is recommended. Then use a waterproofing agent to protect it.
      3. Leather without finish or "natural" finish: it is generally a vegetable tanned leather. This leather marks very easily and water will stain it. Use a special leather spray to clean it and a waterproofing agent to protect it.
      4. For leathers whose maintenance is fragile (old leathers, exotic leathers...), it is not recommended to use water. A simple soft cloth to remove dust will do.

• Recommendations 

1. Choose a protective product that is suitable for the leather being treated. Saphir brand products are ideal.
2. Test each product on a non-visible part of the leather
3. Gently clean (with a piece of cotton or a soft cloth) your item before applying the care
4. Treat your room when it is completely dry
5. When applying, make circular movements so that the care penetrates well and evenly
6. In case of stain, absorb it as soon as possible with a cloth. When the stain is greasy, use a stain remover spray or Terre de Sommières, after testing it on a hidden area.

• Practices to be avoided in any case  

1. Do not treat the leather with abrasive material (sponge, sandpaper, hard brush) or scratch it to remove a stain; its color may deteriorate 
2. Do not use acetone or other solvents as they may strip the leather 
3. Keep your leather piece away from any source of heat or intense light and preserve it from grease and water to age it better 

Be careful because some leather items may have similar looking materials, but not the same care requirements!

You have a doubt, a question? you can take advice from your shoemaker or contact us.

At Phi 1.618, all our creations are made of full grain calf leather, the highest quality leather available. Made with passion and meticulousness, our products deserve your full attention :-) 

Discover our new creation, the Phior bagi made of a single piece of full grain calf leather, right here.