Good quality leather is extremely durable. It also develops a “personality” or patina unique to each piece. Since you are reading this, you have probably already spent a goodly amount of money on a quality leather item. With a little time and effort, you can keep your leather goods in peak condition for many years.

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• What if my leather gets wet?
  • Leather does NOT like water. If your item gets wet, towel it as dry as possible with a soft clean cloth.  Then let it dry completely at room temperature.
  • Do NOT use a blow-dryer or heat of any kind to “help” the drying process along.
  • After having been wet and then duly dried, apply with a clean soft cloth a thin layer of leather conditioner.
  • If you live in Seattle and can’t avoid rain, we recommend you use a spray waterproofing agent. Apply waterproofing to shoes when they are dry.  You can reapply waterproofing every two weeks.
  • If you live in cold climes, you will almost certainly have to deal with salt stains on your shoes. We recommend that you carry your shoes in a handbag and not put them on until you are safely off the street and ensconced in your home or office.  Salt stains can be treated like dirt stains.  Clean with a lightly dampened, soft cloth, and then condition.  Waterproofing will help protect against salt stains.
• How should I store my leather items?
  • Don’t store leather in your attic or basement where temperatures can be extreme. Heat can blister leather and cold can crack the individual leather fibers.
  • We recommend that you store items in a cloth bag or cardboard box, in order to allow your leather to breathe.
  • Do NOT store in a plastic bag which may cause sweating and invite fungus.
  • For leather garments we recommend covering them loosely with an old sheet and hanging them in a closet using a sturdy cedar hanger.
• How can I keep my leather items looking their best?
  • If your items get dirty, rub them gently with a damp (not wet!) soft cloth. After they are completely dry, we recommend a thin layer of conditioner.  Don’t store shoes when they are dirty.
  • When storing shoes and boots we recommend you stuff them lightly with tissue paper to keep shoes from rubbing against each other and to help absorb any odors. For boots, it is best to use enough “stuffing” that they can stand upright and not fall over and crease.
• Can I add anything that will prolong the life of my leather shoes?
  • We recommend for both men’s and women’s shoes a toe tap, which is a small triangular piece of pure rubber that will protect the toe tip of your shoes. This is the area in which wear is usually first noticed.  Men’s and women’s shoes can also receive a heel tap which adds a few millimeters of protection and comfort to the heels.  Heel and toe taps are relatively easy to install and they help protect your shoes at critical points while adding a degree of comfort.
  • Use cedar shoe and boot trees to keep your shoes well ventilated and fresh smelling.
  • We offer a sole guard for both men’s and women’s shoes which is a thin piece of rubber fitted OVER the original sole, and is virtually indistinguishable from the original—but much safer, more comfortable and more long lasting.
• Any advice about wallets?
  • Wallets get dirty and stained. You can use a leather cleaner and a tooth brush and give it a once over. Don’t jam the drying wallet with too much tissue paper, or it may stretch and not “feel right” in your pocket.