Care
Taking Care of Your Iriarte Iriarte Leather Goods
Just like the skin we live in, your leather pieces will only get better with time. They’ll gain character, texture, and unique marks that tell the story of your journey — and with a little attention, they’ll look even more amazing as the years go by.
Treat your leather like you would your own skin. Use quality leather creams or shoe polishes to nourish and protect it. Think of it as a small ritual — a bit of care that ensures its longevity.
As time goes on, your leather will develop its own patina. It’s a natural process — some wrinkles, some marks — all part of the story. And those imperfections? That’s what makes it truly yours.
How to Handle Scratches on Vegetable-Tanned Leather
Scratches happen — that’s life. But with vegetable-tanned leather, you can minimize them or, in some cases, make them disappear. The beauty of this material? It heals itself over time. Here’s how you can help:
1. Rub it gently – Grab a soft cloth and gently rub the scratch in small, circular motions. It’ll help smooth out the leather and fade minor marks.
2. Condition it – Use a high-quality leather conditioner (natural, if you can) to nourish and soften the leather. Apply a little, then rub it in with a soft cloth, focusing on the scratched area.
3. Heat and moisture – For deeper marks, apply a bit of heat from a hairdryer on a low setting (keep it at a distance — you don’t want to dry out the leather). Follow up with some conditioning to restore its natural oils and flexibility.
4. Let it rest – After conditioning, let your leather sit for a few hours (or overnight). It’ll absorb the conditioner and naturally soften, helping to fade the scratch.
Remember: the more you care for it, the better your leather will look as it tells its story.
What to do if some water drops over the bag?
Although leather has some natural water resistance, it’s also a permeable material that will absorb water readily. However, fixing a leather stain is relatively simple using the correct method.
To remove the water stain you should use a slightly damp sponge – with as much water wrung out as possible – and lightly work that sponge over the water stain. This should be done in an outward motion to gently dampen the stain and remove it. The area should then be rubbed gently with a dry cloth and allowed to dry naturally. It’s vitally important to ensure the sponge used has not been used previously with foods or chemicals as this can cause further staining.
Once the leather has dried, it is important that you take the time to condition the leather. This is because water staining can dry the leather’s natural oils, something like saddle oil or wax used once the stain has been removed and dried will help return the leather to a like-new condition.