Rae Liu - Creative Director, Leatherology
Rae is a Creative Director guiding brand vision, design strategy, and creative execution.
How to Maintain and Care for Your Leather Goods
Knowing how to maintain leather goods is the difference between a bag that looks tired within a year and one that ages beautifully for decades. This step-by-step leather care guide walks you through cleaning, conditioning, and storing your leather bags, wallets, and accessories so they stand the test of time.
Slouchy Tote Spring
Video Summary
A showcase of Leatherology's slouchy leather tote and what makes it an everyday staple. It highlights the relaxed silhouette and full grain leather.
Leather Care at a Glance
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Wipe down and dust | Weekly or as needed |
| Deep clean | As needed, before conditioning |
| Condition | Every six months, more in dry climates |
| Reapply protectant spray | Every few months or after heavy use |
| Prep for long-term storage | Before storing away |
1. Identify Your Leather Type
Good leather bag care starts with understanding the kind of leather used to create your piece.
Leatherology handbags offer a high-quality leather experience by using mostly full grain leather, a type of leather that takes the hide in its purest form. Unlike other types of leather, we apply minimal treatment to the hide surface, leaving imperfections untouched. You can see surface marks or variations in leather grain as examples of the true character of the leather. Knowing how to care for genuine full grain leather begins with recognizing that these marks are natural, not flaws.
It is important to remember that leather gets better with age. With use, your leather will soften, stretch, and adapt to suit your lifestyle. Additionally, its grain and color will enhance over time through use and exposure to the oils of your skin, a natural process called patina.
To learn about your specific leather type, visit our Leather Collections page. If you are looking for information about how to care for organic canvas products, visit the Canvas Care page.
2. Caring for Suede, Nubuck, and Specialty Leathers
Suede and nubuck have a soft, napped surface that needs a different routine from smooth full grain leather. We do not recommend our standard leather cleaner or conditioner on our Berlin, Double Sided, Nubuck, and Unlined collections, so use dry methods instead.
For everyday care, brush gently with a soft suede brush to lift dust and restore the nap. For light marks, a suede eraser can help, and stubborn spots are best left to a leather care professional rather than household cleaners. Keep suede away from water where possible, rotate use between wears, and store it in a breathable cotton cover when a dust bag is not available. When in doubt about a specialty finish, confirm your leather type on the product page first.
3. Routine Leather Maintenance
Routine leather maintenance is best done once a week or as needed. Many people think scratched leather is low quality, but it is normal for leather to pick up small scratches with use.
To remove small scratches, just use a clean fingertip to gently rub out the scratch. The natural oils of your skin will remove most small scratches.
To remove dirt, grime, or surface residue, use a soft, damp (not wet) cloth. Gently wipe, but do not scrub, to remove.
4. Deep Leather Cleaning
When you are cleaning a leather handbag or accessory more thoroughly, use a leather cleaner that keeps the natural oils instead of removing them. Make sure the cleaner you choose does not contain caustic chemicals, harmful abrasives, or leave any greasy residue behind. We suggest using something like our Leatherology Leather Cleaner, which is optimally designed for this type of cleaning.
Before using the leather cleaner on your item, test it in a hidden spot. This will ensure that it works well with the leather. Put cleaner on a cloth, rub gently in a circular motion on the surface, then let the item air dry. We do not suggest using our leather cleaner on our Berlin, Double Sided, Nubuck, and Unlined leather collections.
5. Removing Stains from Leather
Knowing how to remove stains from a leather handbag comes down to acting quickly and gently. Blot spills right away with a clean, dry cloth rather than rubbing, which can push the stain deeper or spread it.
For fresh oil or grease, a light dusting of cornstarch left on the spot overnight can help absorb it, then brush it away gently the next day. For surface residue, our leather cleaner used sparingly is a safer choice than household products. For set-in marks such as ink, or for stains that will not lift with gentle cleaning, consult a leather care professional and avoid caustic household cleaners, which can permanently damage the finish.
If your leather product gets wet, dry it quickly. Store it upright with dry fabric inside (for handbags, toiletry bags, and travel bags) until it dries, and blot away water spots before they set. To avoid color transfer, be cautious when using colored or black leather items near light-colored fabric, since color may rub off over time, especially in humid or damp weather. For lining care, spot treat with a baby wipe or damp cloth to minimize stains.
6. Removing Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew can appear on leather that has been stored damp or in a humid space. If you spot it, move the item to a well-ventilated area and gently wipe the surface with a dry or barely damp cloth, working outward from the center so you do not spread the spores.
Let the leather air dry fully, away from direct heat, then condition it to restore moisture. Avoid soaking the leather or reaching for harsh cleaners. For heavy or recurring mold, a leather care professional is the safest option. Preventing it in the first place comes down to storage, which is covered below.
7. Conditioning Leather
You should condition leather once every six months. Learning how to condition leather correctly keeps it supple: apply a high-quality leather conditioner sparingly with a clean, soft cloth. We recommend the all-natural Leatherology Leather Conditioner, which works well as a leather conditioner for handbags and small accessories alike.
Allow the conditioner to absorb for a few hours or overnight. This treatment nourishes the leather and keeps it looking lustrous. We do not suggest using our leather conditioner on our Berlin, Double Sided, Nubuck, and Unlined leather collections.
8. Reviving Dry, Stiff, or Cracked Leather
If your leather has dried out and feels stiff, conditioning can often bring it back to life. Apply a thin, even coat of conditioner, let it absorb, then repeat with another light coat rather than applying one heavy layer that can leave a greasy film.
Gently flexing the leather as it softens helps restore its suppleness. Deep cracks are harder to reverse, since the surface fibers have already split, so treat cracked leather as a case for a professional restorer if the damage is significant.
9. Protecting Your Leather from Water and Stains
A little protection up front makes the rest of your leather bag care routine easier. Before the first use, you can apply a leather protectant spray to add water and stain resistance. Always test any protectant in a hidden area first, let it dry fully, then reapply every few months or after heavy use.
Because full grain leather is minimally treated, it can show water spots, so blot any moisture right away rather than letting it sit. Keep leather away from prolonged direct sunlight and heat sources, which can dry it out and fade the color over time. You can shop cleaning accessories, leather care kits, microfiber cloths, and leather protectant sprays to build a simple kit.
10. Storing Leather
Store leather in a breathable bag, not plastic, to stop mildew and bacteria growth. To avoid creasing leather, do not put anything on top of it and avoid folding it without reason.
If you are wondering how to store leather handbags long term, keep them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, use the provided dust bag, and stuff each bag with tissue or soft fabric to hold its shape. For more detailed handbag guidance, see our guide on how to store handbags to keep their shape.
11. What to Avoid
A few common mistakes cause most of the damage we see on leather goods. Steering clear of them protects your investment.
Avoid harsh household cleaners, bleach, and rubbing alcohol, which can strip the finish and dry the hide. Keep leather away from direct heat such as hair dryers, radiators, and prolonged sunlight, all of which cause fading and cracking. Do not over-condition, since too much product can leave a greasy buildup. Never store leather in plastic, which traps moisture and invites mold. Finally, keep exterior leather away from baby wipes and other pre-moistened cleaners, saving those only for spot treating the lining.
12. Hardware, Zipper, and Lining Care
The details last longer with a little attention too. Wipe zippers and metal hardware with a soft, dry cloth to remove buildup, and avoid abrasive metal polishes that can drip onto the surrounding leather. For the lining, spot treat with a baby wipe or a lightly damp cloth to lift marks, and let it dry fully before closing the bag.
13. When to Consult a Professional
Most leather care is easy to do at home, but some situations call for an expert. Deep or set-in stains, ink marks, significant mold, structural damage, and color restoration are all best handled by a leather care professional. When a piece has real sentimental or monetary value, professional help is the safest route to preserving it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I care for high-end or luxury leather goods?
Luxury leather goods care follows the same core routine: dust and wipe regularly, deep clean when needed, condition roughly every six months, and store in a breathable dust bag. The main difference is caution, so always spot test products first and handle lighter or exotic finishes gently.
How often should I condition leather?
For most pieces, conditioning leather once every six months keeps the hide soft and prevents cracking. If you live in a dry climate or notice the leather looking dull or faded, condition a little more often.
How do I clean a leather handbag at home?
Cleaning leather handbags at home starts with a soft, damp cloth to lift dirt and residue. For a deeper clean, use a dedicated leather cleaner, work in gentle circles, and let the bag air dry away from heat.
How do I care for suede or nubuck bags?
Suede and nubuck need dry care, not liquid cleaners or conditioner. Brush gently with a soft suede brush to lift dust and revive the nap, use a suede eraser on light marks, keep it away from water, and leave stubborn spots to a professional.
How do I get a stain out of a leather bag?
Blot the stain right away with a dry cloth rather than rubbing. Fresh grease can be lifted with a little cornstarch left overnight, while set-in stains such as ink are safest with a leather care professional. Avoid harsh household cleaners, which can permanently mark the finish.
How do I remove mold from a leather bag?
Move the bag to a ventilated area and wipe the surface gently with a dry or barely damp cloth, working outward so you do not spread it. Let it air dry fully, then condition. For heavy mold, consult a professional and always store leather in a breathable bag to prevent it.
How should I care for genuine full grain leather?
Knowing how to care for genuine full grain leather comes down to keeping it clean, conditioned, and dry. Because it is minimally treated, it develops a rich patina with use, so light, consistent care matters more than heavy or frequent product application.
