Introduction to taking care of leather jewelry
Leather jewelry can last for many years if it’s well cared for. Below are some tips on how to take care of your leather jewelry so that it stays in great condition.
Follow these guidelines
1. Avoid getting your leather jewelry wet
Keep your leather jewelry away from water. Genuine leather is skin, so it’s porous and will never be completely waterproof. There are finishing products that can help protect them from water (I use these on the leather jewelry I sell), but ultimately nothing is going to work 100%. So it’s best to remove it when you shower, swim, or are at risk of getting caught in the rain.
If your jewelry does get wet, wipe the moisture away immediately and let it air-dry.
2. Avoid excessive heat or sun exposure
Just like skin, leather gets dried out by heat and sun. Keep your leather jewelry in room-temperature areas (or cooler), and avoid leaving it near stoves, fires, or radiators for long periods.
Prolonged sun exposure can bleach the colour of leather jewelry and cause the fabric to weaken and break. Take it off if you know you’ll be outside in the sun for long periods of time.
3. Avoid exposure to sweat
It’s best to remove your leather jewelry if you know you may be sweating (for example, during workouts or while you sleep). Sweat is moist and also contains salt, and both of these things will damage the leather.
4. Avoid contact with harsh chemicals
Take off your leather jewelry when you apply moisturizers, sunscreens, and perfumes if there’s a chance it could come in contact with the jewelry. This also includes creams, oils, cleansers, and other products containing harsh chemicals.
Depending on what’s in these products, they may damage the jewelry. Even if the ingredients are not damaging, you could end up with build-up from the products accumulating on the jewelry, and this will dull your leather.
5. Keep your leather jewelry clean
It’s good to gently wipe down your leather jewelry with a slightly damp cloth from time to time.
Make sure not to use too much water. Use small circles or dab gently; never wipe aggressively or with a lot of force.
Let it air-dry before you wear it.
6. Condition your leather jewelry periodically
If you find the leather is stiffening or drying out, you can condition it with leather conditioner that is made for jewelry or other accessories (not for furniture). This will protect the leather and bring back moisture and suppleness to the material, preventing cracking and stiffening.
7. Store it separately, but not in airtight storage
Store your leather jewelry away from other metal jewelry that might scratch or damage the leather. Don’t store it in a plastic bag or in an airtight container, as this can cause mildew.
It’s best to store it in a cool and dry place.
If you follow these general guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy your leather jewelry for years to come!
