How To Clean Leather Wallet

Your leather wallet is one of those items you can’t leave the house without. Not only does it protect any cash you’re holding, but it’s where you house your personal identification, debit card, credit card, and any membership cards you have. Needless to say, your wallet is important. 

With that being said, wallets are known to take quite the beating on a daily basis. They’re either in our back pockets all day where we constantly sit on them or they’re in your purse where they come in contact with a variety of other objects -- both sharp and rough. 

That’s why we recommend investing in a leather wallet. They’re built to withstand the outside environment, they keep your items well-protected at all times, they have that timeless look we all love, and even when they do age -- they age well. 

While this is true, it’s still a necessary practice to clean your leather wallet often. You’ll notice a buildup of oils and dirt that could ruin the natural patina it develops over time. The more effort you put into maintaining your leather wallet, the longer it will continue to serve you for years to come.  

Leather is one of the most versatile materials out there, but many people don’t understand that there are different types of leather. Furthermore, the amount of care your leather needs largely depends on the type of leather it is -- meaning not all leather wallets need the same amount of care. 

For example, full-grain leather (which is the highest quality leather out there) won’t need as much care as top-grain leather (the second-best type of leather), though they both develop a nice patina over time. 

On the other hand, genuine leather (the third-best type) and corrected-grain leather are known to wear out a lot quicker than full-grain or top-grain. That means you might want to clean it more often to ensure it stays in tip-top shape as long as possible. 

Whether you’re cleaning full-grain, top-grain, genuine, or corrected-grain leather, you won’t need much to get the job done right. In fact, all you really need is a microfiber cloth, a mild soap solution, and warm water -- that’s it!

First, combine the warm water and mild soap solution to form soapy water. You don’t need a lot of soap, so just a dab will do. Take your microfiber cloth and dip it in the soapy water. Ring out the water so you’re left with a damp cloth -- this is what you’ll use to clean it. 

Before you start cleaning the leather wallet, you’ll want to first remove any dust on the surface of the wallet. You can do this with a dry cloth, but make sure it hasn’t been used and don’t use any type of cleaner, water, or solution with it. Once the dust is removed, you can start with the damp cloth. 

Technique is extremely important when cleaning leather. You don’t want to be too rough with it and want to remain gentle. With that being said, avoid scrubbing or applying any pressure when wiping down the leather. Instead, gently rub the wallet with the damp cloth to carefully remove any oils or dirt. 

Once you’re finished rubbing the damp cloth throughout the wallet, it’s best to let it dry naturally. That’s why you want to avoid getting it too wet, otherwise it will take a while to dry and might ruin the wallet’s color or appearance. You also want it to dry in the shape it’s generally going to be in. For a wallet, that means let it dry while folded -- not open!

It doesn’t matter what type of leather or product you own, a leather conditioning cream becomes your best friend. It’s designed to keep your leather looking its best for years to come, that way you can show it off to your friends and family long-term. 

Leather conditioner is easily absorbed by all types of leather, that way it can nourish, moisturize, and revitalize the leather -- much like lotion does to our skin! The moisture is what keeps the natural oils inside the leather, which is what leather conditioner is fighting to protect. 

One of the greatest benefits of a leather conditioner is its ability to make the leather wallet waterproof. It also does an excellent job of bringing out that natural patina that makes leather so valuable over time. 

To ensure your leather wallet remains moisturized year-round, you should plan on applying leather conditioner every six months -- twice per year. If it’s in the sun often or is exposed to outside conditions frequently, it’s best to consider applying conditioner three to four times per year. 

Leather wallets are everywhere. You can find them at any clothing store, all over the internet, and even in designer shops around the world. With that being said, quality leather wallets are much harder to find and when you do find one that fits your style, they’re highly expensive. 

At BlackBrook, we’re dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding leather. We not only strive to provide the highest quality leather, but we strive to provide a variety of leather products -- including leather wallets. Only using premium full-grain leather, you know you’re getting the best of the best. 

We have credit card holders, business card holders, money clips with credit card holders attached to them, passport holders, and even leather wallets that zip up. We have a style for everyone and they come in a wide range of colors -- including brown, tan, black, pink, gray, red, and orange-brown. Check them out here.

To bring your leather experience full-circle, we also provide the highest-quality leather conditioning cream you’ll find online. With our help, your leather will remain by your side for generations and you’ll always be prepared for whatever nature throws your way. 

For more helpful tips on keeping your leather clean on a daily basis, contact us today! 

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