Caring for Your Leather Goods

A Guide From The Workshop

Meet The Maker

So, before diving head-first into the leather bag topic, I should probably introduce myself properly.

Hi, I’m Dana, and I’ve been learning leather working for the last few years — with a good chunk of my lessons coming from my grandfather. (Which honestly feels like the best possible way to learn old-school crafting skills.)

I love making things that are fully usable and functional, but with one very important rule:

It has to look like it escaped from a fantasy world.

No minimalist abstract designs here. No “inspired by” vague little nods. If I make something, I want someone to look at it and immediately think:

“Ah yes. That belongs to a wandering potion merchant, a forest witch, a rogue with suspiciously good taste, or someone who definitely owns at least three enchanted maps.”

That journey actually started with hair pins.

Simple. Fun. Surprisingly versatile. Good for long hair, short hair, thick hair, fine hair — and honestly, leather is fantastic for hair accessories. Since leather is essentially skin, it doesn’t grab onto your hair and refuse to let go the way silicone and elastics do. It also doesn’t crimp, snap, or aggressively betray you like claw clips sometimes can.

From there, things escalated.

Bags. Belts. Potion bottle holders. Accessories. More bags. Possibly too many bags. (There is no such thing as too many bags.)

But one thing has stayed consistent through all of it:

I care deeply about making pieces that last.

Not “last until next season.”Not “last until trends change.”Actually last.

And that brings us to the important part of this blog post:

How to care for your leather goods properly so they stay beautiful for years to come.

Because genuine leather is a little bit like adopting a dragon.

Beautiful? Yes.

Powerful? Absolutely.

Requires proper care and respect? Also yes.

Luckily, leather is much easier to maintain than a dragon, and significantly less likely to set your home on fire.

Why Genuine Leather Is Worth It

Before we get into care instructions, let’s talk about why genuine leather is different from faux leather or pleather in the first place.

Real leather ages.

Faux leather deteriorates.

Pleather and synthetic materials are essentially plastic layered onto fabric backing. Over time, that plastic dries out, cracks, peels, flakes, and eventually begins shedding little bits everywhere like a stressed-out lizard.

Real leather behaves differently.

Leather softens with use. It develops character. It forms natural patina — which is just a fancy leatherworking term for “it gets prettier the more you love it.”

Small marks and wear patterns become part of the story of the piece rather than signs that it’s dying dramatically in a corner somewhere.

A well-made leather item can genuinely last decades with proper care.

That’s why I use products like Fiebing’s Leather Balm, Neatsfoot Oil, beeswax, and other conditioning treatments during the crafting process. They help nourish, protect, and prepare the leather before it ever reaches your hands.

But leather is still a natural material.

And natural materials need maintenance.

Think of it this way:

You wouldn’t buy a beautiful houseplant and then lock it in a closet for six years with no water.

Leather deserves slightly more respect than that.

The Golden Rules Of Leather Care

The good news is that caring for leather isn’t complicated.

The even better news is that most leather products actually prefer low-maintenance care over excessive treatment.

1. Keep It Clean

Leather naturally collects oils from your hands, dust from the environment, and occasional mystery crumbs from the bottom of bags.

(Where do the crumbs come from? Science may never know.)

To clean your leather item:

• Use a soft dry cloth for regular dusting

• Use a slightly damp cloth for surface dirt

• Avoid soaking the leather

• Never use harsh household cleaners

Please do not attack your handcrafted leather bag with bleach wipes.

I am begging you.

If something spills on your leather:

• Blot gently

• Don’t scrub aggressively

• Let it dry naturally

Leather responds best to patience, not panic.

2. Condition Your Leather Occasionally

Leather can dry out over time, especially in dry climates or after heavy use.

When leather becomes overly dry, it can stiffen or crack — and unlike your sense of humor after reading internet comments, cracked leather does not recover easily.

Conditioning keeps the leather supple and healthy.

You do not need to condition constantly. Over-conditioning can actually oversaturate the leather.

General Care Guidelines

• Every few months for frequently used items

• Less often for decorative or lightly used pieces

Recommended Products

• Leather balm

• Leather conditioner

• Small amounts of Neatsfoot Oil when appropriate

• Beeswax-based protectants

A little goes a long way.

Seriously.

Leather conditioner should be applied like expensive skincare products, not like you’re buttering toast.

Apply with a soft cloth in thin layers and allow the leather to absorb it naturally.

3. Water Is Not Leather’s Best Friend

Can leather survive getting wet occasionally?

Absolutely.

Will it immediately dissolve into dramatic Victorian tragedy dust?

No.

But leather and water are not exactly close companions.

If your leather item gets wet:

• Pat it dry gently

• Let it air dry naturally

• Keep it away from direct heat sources

Avoid:

• Radiators

• Dryers

• Heaters

• Hair dryers while whispering “please survive”

Direct heat dries leather too quickly and can cause warping or cracking.

Once dry, you can apply a small amount of conditioner if needed.

4. Store Leather Properly

When not in use, leather likes:

• Cool, dry environments

• Moderate airflow

• Protection from direct sunlight

Avoid:

• Plastic bags

• Damp storage

• Leaving items crushed under heavy objects

Leather bags especially should be stored with some structure inside them if possible so they maintain their shape.

Think tissue paper, fabric stuffing, or clean cloth.

Not old receipts and emotional baggage.

5. Scratches Happen — And That’s Okay

One of the beautiful things about genuine leather is that small scratches and marks often blend naturally over time.

Many light scratches can actually be softened simply by:

• Rubbing gently with clean fingers

• Applying a small amount of conditioner

• Buffing lightly with a soft cloth

Leather develops character through use.

That’s part of what makes every piece unique.

Unlike synthetic materials that often look worse as they age, real leather tells a story.

What Makes Handcrafted Leather Different

Mass-produced leather goods are often made quickly, cheaply, and with lower-grade materials.

Handcrafted leatherwork is slower.

It involves:

• Hand cutting

• Hand sewing

• Careful finishing

• Intentional design choices

• Conditioning and sealing processes

• Actual human frustration when stitching goes sideways

Every piece carries hours of work behind it.

That means when you care for handcrafted leather properly, you’re preserving something made with genuine time, effort, and artistry.

Not just an accessory.

A crafted object.

Something meant to travel with you through years of use.

Final Thoughts From The Workshop

At the end of the day, leather is one of the oldest practical materials humans have ever worked with.

People carried leather bags, wore leather belts, used leather pouches, and protected important belongings with leather long before plastic existed.

And honestly?

There’s a reason it survived this long.

It works.

It lasts.

It grows more beautiful with age.

And in a world filled with disposable everything, there’s something special about owning an item designed to stay with you for years instead of seasons.

So whether your leather piece ends up accompanying you to renaissance fairs, bookstores, conventions, markets, forests, coffee shops, adventures, or just your everyday life — I hope it becomes something personal to you.

A little worn.

A little weathered.

A little magical.

Just the way good leather should be.

Sincerely yours,

Dana