Guide to Cleaning a Leather Wallet

Last Updated: April 26, 2022

Your wallet is old, and you are thinking of replacing it with a new one? Why not just try and salvage it before throwing it away? This way, you will save a lot of money and keep the one you already own. Learn how to clean your leather wallet and make it look nice again.

Is it possible to use things you already have in the house and salvage your leather wallet? Yes, it is! It is essential to know what you can and can’t do to avoid ruining the item.

1. Use leather cleaner

Materials you need:

• leather cleaner
• a toothbrush
• and a clean cotton cloth

We all own a wallet, but just a few of us know that it needs to be cleaned from time to time. If yours is dirty and you want to restore its beauty, you should get a leather cleaner. After that, you need to follow these steps:

Spray it with leather cleaner

You can buy leather cleaners from many different places, just have a look at these, there are plenty of options. But before spraying the wallet, make sure that it is empty. Put it on a flat surface, shake the cleaner and spray it everywhere. Make sure you also cover the foldable parts. After you are done spraying, wait for about 30 seconds to dry.

Use a toothbrush to apply the cleaner

You could also scrub it with a toothbrush. Spray some of the cleaner on the wallet and then gently rub with the toothbrush. Make sure it is with stiff bristles. Make small circular motions so that the product penetrates the leather. Continue scrubbing until suds are forming. Don’t push too hard as not to damage the wallet. Do both sides and rub the product thoroughly.

Get a cloth and use it with the cleaner

You can use a cloth instead of a toothbrush. Spray some cleaner on and clean it carefully until you see suds forming. Don’t rub too harshly since you could damage the leather. Dampen the cloth and clean the lining if your wallet has one.

Wipe the leather with a cloth

After scrubbing, you have to wipe off the cleaner. Get a cloth made from cotton and pat the leather to remove the suds. After that, go over it one last time to ensure there is no residue left.

Leave the wallet to dry overnight

Put it in a dry and cool place and leave it overnight or for about 10 hours. You should never put it in the dryer or in a place where there is direct sunlight. Otherwise, the leather might shrink, crack or tear. After it has dried completely, you can put back your belonging and start using them again.

2. Get saddle soap if you want to do a deep clean

This is an excellent method to restore the beauty of your old leather wallet. You should follow these steps:

Clean the wallet with a wet cloth

Remove everything from the wallet, use a cotton cloth dipped in warm soapy water and go over the leather. Try to remove any dirt that is on the wallet. As you are cleaning, you should not let the water remain on the leather for too long to avoid deformation or cracking.

Put some of the soap on the damp cloth

Saddle soaps are great for restoring the condition of leather products. They manage to clean them thoroughly and protect the material. Get your soup and put a small amount on the corner of a damp cloth. The latter should be soft and made from cotton so that it doesn’t damage the leather. Saddle soaps are available in many convenience stores.

Look at the wrinkles on the wallet and clean in that direction

Don’t go in the opposite direction. If you follow the grain, you will prevent deformation, tearing and cracking of the material. The cloth you will be using with start to absorb all of the dirt. Continue cleaning until you have removed all of the grime. Don’t forget to focus on the seams and rub gently.

Use a cotton swab and work in circles

Put some of the saddle soap on a cotton swab and rub the stains on the wallet. Work in circles and rotate the sides of the swab. After you are done, you should pat the leather with a dry cloth. Use cotton swabs to restore the insides as well. You can be very precise with it and reach every part.

Put the wallet in a towel and leave it to dry

After the cleaning process is done, you should make sure there is no water left on the leather. Leave it to dry entirely by wrapping it in a towel. It will need around 10 hours. Avoid putting it is a place with direct sunlight or air conditioning. After it has dried, you can start using it again.

Important things to focus on while cleaning the wallet

Leather is durable, biodegradable, safe to use and warm. However, it is also fragile when it comes to temperature, so you should make sure you pay attention to the following:

• You should never use cleaners that contain Ammonia since they can seriously damage the leather and discolor it.
• Another thing you should never do is use a hairdryer. Although it will speed up the process, it will also worsen the condition of the leather. Hot air is terrible for this type of material.
• Don’t put the wallet in direct sunlight. The reason is the same as with the hairdryer – high temperatures damage the leather.

Conclusion

A leather wallet is a great accessory to have. It looks beautiful and is useful for keeping your money and credit cards safe and in one place. It is made to be durable, but you should also know how to take care of it to last longer. Now that you have learnt how to clean a leather wallet, it is time to do it.