Tips Esenciales para Cuidar Tus Prendas y Productos de Cuero

From bags and wallets, jackets, and agendas to sofas or the upholstery of your car seats, at Qiwa, we want you to enjoy your leather items for a lifetime. From the moment they are crafted to when you wear them on those special occasions, it's necessary to care for them properly.

With our handy guide, your most treasured pieces will look beautiful for years to come. From daily care and maintenance to minor repairs and specialized cleaning, here's everything you need to know about caring for your garments and products covered in genuine leather.

The manufacturing of leather requires meticulous craftsmanship, so it's important to care for your leather items to keep them in good condition and extend their lifespan. By taking the necessary time to care for them, you'll maintain the value and appearance of your most cherished pieces and products. To keep the beauty of items covered in original or regenerated leather for a long time, we recommend following these simple tips:

Daily Care:

The care of your leather goods begins with daily care. By following a few simple rules, you can avoid unnecessary wear and extend the lifespan of your accessories for years:

Leather can stretch, so avoid overfilling your bag, wallet, or purse to maintain its original silhouette.
Take special care with frequently used leather items. Take time each week to clean dust and stains with a cloth, brush, or preferably a dry and soft flannel.
Scratches can devalue a perfectly crafted piece. Be careful to avoid direct contact with highly adorned clothing, sharp surfaces, or thick jewelry when you're away from home.
Wet leather requires special care, so if rain is forecasted, remember to carry an umbrella or avoid wearing your favorite leather items on rainy days.
Do not use regenerated leather-coated products in open areas, as this material is sensitive to excessive moisture.

Leather can last a lifetime if treated with all necessary care.

Leather Storage:

Perhaps you are wondering, how should I store my leather garments? Storing your leather properly is one of the easiest ways to prevent damage and maintain its high-quality finish. Below, we share the following tips:

Store your bags and wallets in a sturdy paper or fabric bag to prevent scratches or dust.
Avoid using plastic covers that hinder good ventilation for your leather garments and items.
Store leather away from direct sunlight to prevent discoloration. Avoid direct exposure to sunlight or very bright artificial light sources to keep your leather items looking new.
Keep the product as far away as possible from intense artificial heat sources such as radiators and stoves. Radiators, in particular, can cause leather to dry and crack.

Specific Product Care

Daily care and careful storage will greatly contribute to extending the lifespan of your favorite leather garments, covers, and accessories. However, certain specific products may require different care techniques, as outlined below:

Leather Bags and Purses:

Although it's tempting to leave our bags packed and ready with daily essentials for the next day, instead, take the time to empty them completely to prevent deformation. As mentioned in the above section, the leather silhouette can easily deform if filled with items that alter its original shape. If emptying your bag becomes a routine activity, you'll maintain the bag's original shape. An additional tip is to fill the bag with tissue paper or cloths without additives, so your bag retains its silhouette even better.

If you plan to store your wallet for an extended period, until the next significant occasion, for example, you can also take the time to wrap accessories and components of your bag, such as closures, in tissue paper to prevent unwanted imprints on your leather bag.

The next step is to cover your wallet, preferably in a non-plastic bag for dust; we recommend the original packaging it came in, as these are cut to the correct size to avoid crushing and deformations. If you no longer have the original packaging, a white cotton pillowcase can be an ideal substitute; also, avoid using colored fabric to prevent your accessory from staining with the fabric color.

Once packed, place your covered bag away from direct sunlight and artificial heat sources. Make sure to place it on a base instead of hanging it, as this can stretch the handles. Additionally, be careful in choosing a location that is high enough to allow the handles to remain unobstructed; doing otherwise can cause them to bend or deform.

After taking such care of your wallet at home, it's important to have the same considerations in other environments outside the home. Make sure to acquire a bag hook so you can keep them secure and away from dirty or rough floors and surfaces that may damage the leather surface.

You will find this and more accessories in our product catalog.

Leather Wallets and Coin Purses

Wallets and coin purses come in a variety of sizes and silhouettes to suit your needs. Choose a style that aligns with the items you typically carry daily in your wallet, as this will reduce the risk of stretching the leather by not overfilling the various pockets, compartments, and card slots. Also, make sure not to store items with metal tips and edges that may cause scratches or even puncture the surfaces of your wallet.

When carrying your wallet or coin purse in a handbag, you can avoid scratches and marks by simply storing this accessory in a separate compartment or in a separate zippered pocket in the lining. It's a good practice to gently clean or brush your wallet regularly to remove the daily buildup of dust and dirt that can accumulate, or even rust transfer that sometimes occurs with coins.

Avoid overfilling your wallet to prevent scratches, stretching, or loss of the original color.

Leather Luggage and Backpacks

While leather travel luggage is designed to take into account durability and the wear and tear of travel, there are some simple steps you can follow to preserve the quality and finish of your leather suitcase, handbag, or backpack that you'll be bringing with you on your next adventure.

Before and after the trip, once you have the luggage in your care, always make sure to place it on its wheels or protective surfaces instead of placing it on its side, to minimize direct contact with the floor or any surface that may soil your leather accessory.

When in transit, use a protective luggage cover to avoid the possibility of scratches when your travel suitcase is sent through the luggage loading platform (if traveling by plane) or placed in any compartment if you are traveling by any other means of transportation.

Between trips, empty your luggage and store it in a protective bag in a place where it can rest comfortably without the need to fold the handles. Also, avoid packing it together with other accessories that may leave marks on its surface or damage the shape of your luggage.

Let the leather dry for at least 24 hours, lifting and flexing it periodically to prevent it from becoming stiff. Don't forget to wear gloves while doing this, as the leather may be sticky at first but should disappear after polishing or applying leather shine. You should polish with a cloth that removes any dye residue and also gives the leather surface a polished look. Leather shine is used to leave a shiny and glossy finish.

Not only travel in style but also take care of your items with class 😉

Briefcases

Maintain the refined and professional finish of a briefcase by taking care to place it on the side where the protective corners are usually located in the lower area of the briefcase; this will prevent unnecessary wear of the leather and protect it from accumulating dirt or getting scratched.

Avoid exerting too much pressure on the closures and hardware by not overfilling it with items and devices such as laptops and any heavy content. If you must pack your briefcase inside a larger backpack or travel luggage if you are on a business trip, make sure the briefcase is well protected inside a fabric bag or any packaging that adequately protects it.

Gloves

As we use gloves during a season of unpredictable weather, they are often exposed to a variety of external elements. If your gloves get wet during heavy rain, let them air dry away from sunlight and any artificial heat sources, as mentioned earlier with radiators and stoves.

If a glove falls and needs cleaning, start by gently cleaning it with a brush or a soft cloth. Next, prepare a solution of mild soap and warm water. Use the glove to be cleaned as you normally would, and with a sponge, proceed to clean the affected area. Be careful not to saturate the leather too much and remove excess water. Once free of any dirt, let your glove or gloves dry in a cool, dry place, and occasionally wearing them will help maintain their shape.

The preferred look of many motorcycle enthusiasts.

Notebooks, Planners, Journals, and Albums

Leather albums or journals often hold precious memories, so it's important to preserve them in the best way possible. To achieve this, always wash your hands before handling these items to avoid transferring any residue or dirt to the leather surface. We also recommend polishing or waxing them with transparent wax to hydrate and keep the leather covers intact.

For work journals and planners, keep them in a drawer, shelf, or ledge away from direct sunlight, giving these spaces a bit of breathing room. Stacked books on tightly packed shelves can crack on the sides, while books stacked too far apart can sag and deform. It's better to choose a soft support, and when taking them off the shelf, it's important to pull from the middle, as grabbing the top of the spine can stretch and deform them.

Work with style and inquire about our executive and travel accessories

Belts and Straps

As belts are an accessory that many of us use every day, it's important to rotate them to extend their lifespan. Identifying the correct fit will also contribute to their longevity, preventing garment stretching.

When you're not wearing your belt, clean it gently to remove any dust or dirt residue; hang it by the buckle in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat or sunlight. By allowing a belt to hang flat instead of coiling it, you'll avoid any marks the buckle might leave, and the strap will maintain its original shape.

This and more accessories can be found in our online store

How to Clean and Maintain Your Leather Items Like New?

Clean the leather regularly with a soft brush or cloth.
Ventilate the leather regularly, avoiding closed spaces where it can absorb moisture.
Dry water to prevent surfaces from becoming damp.
Air dry wet leather naturally, away from artificial heat.
Maintain leather elasticity with specialized conditioner every 3 or 6 months.
Clean stains with a mixture of bar soap (preferably grated to generate soap flakes) and warm water.
Use a steam cleaner to disinfect and remove dirt buildup.
Test specialized conditioners, cleaners, polishers, and waxes in small amounts before using them extensively on all your leather products and garments.
Do not machine wash leather.
Do not wet leather regularly.
Do not dry wet leather with a radiator or hair dryer.
Do not dry leather in the tumble dryer.
Do not iron leather.
Do not immerse leather completely in water for cleaning.

Leather Maintenance

Leather is loved for its visual nuances; varied textures, subtle tone changes, patinas that develop slowly, and subtle signs of identity. When working with such a versatile and multifaceted material, the maintenance choices you make can shape the appearance of your leather items in the years to come, allowing you to truly adapt them to your individual style.

Polished leather, for example, retains its original shine. This process is ideal for high-gloss, formal, or evening accessories that you would like to keep in perfect condition. However, you might prefer to let more casual and functional pieces, such as everyday use bags, wear and develop their own unique characteristics. In this case, regularly dusting and occasionally wiping with a damp cloth will undoubtedly suffice.

Smooth, fine, and patent leathers will benefit from a specialized soft leather cream to nourish, moisturize, and preserve their flexible qualities. Mild creams and conditioners can also be used to eliminate minor scratches. Concerning bright colors, enamel can be used to polish scratches and scuffs, while specialized color-restoring balms are ideal for complete rejuvenation.

Cleaning Different Types of Leather

If you are often asked, 'How do you clean your leather boots or shoes?' or 'Can leather bags be dry cleaned?' Each of our luxurious leathers is different and must be cleaned and cared for according to its individual qualities. Below, we detail how you should care for the main materials made of genuine leather:

Black/Ebony

Black and ebony leather is practical because the dark color can hide dirt to a certain extent. However, it is still important to clean and care for your black leather items. Regular gentle brushing and semi-regular cleaning with a damp cloth will keep your black leather accessories in good condition.

Cream/Ivory

Lighter-toned leather is more susceptible to noticeable wear. A white bag worn with indigo jeans, for example, may be prone to staining easily due to color transfer, so cleaning is essential to maintain a flawless finish.

Before cleaning, make sure to dust off with a soft cloth. Subtle marks can be polished with a soap and warm water solution, but tougher stains will need a bit more work. Methylated spirits or isopropyl alcohol work to remove ink stains, while absorbent powders like cornstarch or baking powder can be used to remove oil and grease. Once your suede shoes or boots are clean, it's advisable to apply a protective spray to guard against more marks or stains.

Deep Shine

Stains can disrupt the luxurious appeal of a high-gloss garment or accessory; however, they can be removed with little effort. If your patent boots, bag, or accessory looks a bit dull, a damp cloth may be all you need to remove dust and restore your item's original shine.

If there are more pronounced scratches, specially formulated patent cleaners are available. Alternatively, simple household items can also be very effective: you can apply a little Vaseline or olive oil to the affected area with a soft cloth, leave it for a few minutes, and then proceed to polish gently.

Saffiano Leather

Created with a stamping method by the Prada brand, Saffiano leather has a distinctive textured finish. This crosshatch texture, along with the wax treatment, makes it incredibly durable and resistant to stains. To avoid damaging the specialized finish, only clean your Saffiano leather products with a soft damp cloth or a leather-specific cleaning solution.

Smooth Leather

Special care should be taken to preserve the finish of smooth leather. As such, it's important to avoid using abrasive cleaning methods.

Start by brushing with a soft bristle brush and clean off excess dust or dirt with a cotton or microfiber cloth. Next, nourish the surface with a gentle leather conditioner, taking care to test it in an inconspicuous area beforehand.

Textured Leather

When cleaning textured leathers such as those incorporating silk patterns, they must always be cleaned very meticulously. While standard cleaning methods like water and soap, or specialized leather cleaning solutions, can be applied, it's important to thoroughly remove any product buildup in the grooves and crevices after cleaning. This can be achieved by gently polishing these products with a soft brush.

Leather is so versatile and pliable that each garment requires special treatment.

How to Treat Deeper Scratches and Scuffs on Leather?

While light scratches can be addressed with a gentle polish, deep scratches require much more attention. First, it's important to carefully clean the area with a damp cloth and let the surface dry. Next, you should assess how much the surface was affected. If the color is scratched but the surface remains intact, you should polish the scratch with a soft, dry cloth and then slowly apply a few thin layers of a matching color balm to your garment. You should then wipe off any excess and reinforce protection against potential future scratches with a leather protector.

In the case of a scratch also compromising the surface, a leather filler should be used to restore the uniform finish before polishing and applying the color balm. For particularly deep scratches requiring filler, we recommend consulting the warranty and repair service where you made the purchase; don't forget to contact us to learn about the warranty policies for our products.

Looking for Leather Apparel, Products, and Accessories in First-Class Colors and Finishes?

Qiwa is a family-owned company dedicated to the manufacture of leather goods, accessories, automotive upholstery, and jackets with high standards of quality and design for 30 years. At Qiwa, we develop premium leather products of the highest quality, both with our brand and with brands from various designers, supporting various entrepreneurship projects..

We offer a wide variety of items in different models, either finished to your liking from our catalog or tailored to your preferences, with a wide range of colors and personalized finishes.

Learn more about our history here and our product catalog here. We also invite you to contact us directly here.

Essential Tips to Care for Your Clothes and Leather Products