Vegetable-tanned leather becomes more attractive the more you use it. However, if not cared for properly, even the best leather might take some damage due to prolong wear and exposure over time.
In order to keep your favorite leather piece feeling and looking good, regular leather care is necessary.
Here are some useful tips on how to maintain and care for your leather to ensure it last a life time .
Timing Of Care
A good rule of thumb for when to treat your leather is the leather feels dry.
Similar to human skin, genuine vegetable-tanned leather tends to become dry and over time and lose its shine.
The more time you spend with your leather, the easier it will be to find the right timing for polishing.
Directions
Materials Needed
To get started, you will need leather wax, and a cloth.
※Avoid using pile fabrics or any other kind of loose fabric that can get caught on metal fittings or zippers. Inokura recommends a natural material like cotton that is soft and won’t scratch the leather.
Step 1. Wipe Off Dust
First, take a dry cloth and wipe gently to remove all traces of dust off the leather.
It is also important to pay attention to the seams and stitching as they are more prone to dust accumulation.
Step 2. Apply Wax To The Cloth
Apply a small amount of wax to a clean piece of a soft cloth – only about the size of a pea. Remember not to use too much at once, you can always add more wax to the cloth if it’s not enough the first time.
Step 3. Spread The Wax
Start by applying wax in a small area that is not obvious. Slowly spread out the wax by massaging the leather in a circular motion until you have covered all surfaces. Over-applying wax and rubbing may lead to wrinkles, the key is to apply it thinly and quickly.
※Depending on the type of leather, applying too much wax may cause the color to fade. Inokura recommends that you try on an indistinct area the first time you use the wax.
Step 4. Glaze
Once you have finished spreading the wax, give the leather one last rub with your thumb but this time with a little more force. Use the waxed area of the cloth and give it a nice rub until the whole area is shiny, and you’re done!
Real leather doesn’t deteriorate over time, it evolves and gains personality. If well taken care of, the leather will continue to take on a beautiful form in the years to come.
Which Leather Wax Should I Use?
We recommend Inokura’s beeswax leather wax for all your leather products. It works especially well on their key fob covers and other leather accessories. You can find it here in our shop, or as an add-on to any Inokura Leather craft.
Inokura Leather original’s leather wax made from 100% beeswax. This product is made exclusively for leather and because it is purely made of natural ingredients, it gives a perfect balance of stretching, penetration, nourishment, and protection and can be used on a wide variety of leather products from sofas, bags, shoes, purse, to belts. Inokura’s wax eliminates surface roughness and brings your leather products back to life. Learn more about Inokura Leather here!
