When you hear "what's important for using leather products for a long time," many people probably think of "leather care."

Of course, leather care is important. At Munekawa, we also recommend daily care to keep leather beautiful and ensure it lasts a long time.

However, what we feel from repair consultations with customers is that how you typically handle a leather product often has a more direct impact on its lifespan than whether you regularly care for it. While oil care can reduce light water stains and scratches, it cannot restore a misshapen item.

This time, from our perspective as makers who handle leather daily, we will introduce "habits that can shorten the lifespan of leather products", categorized by their level of severity.

You don't need to be perfect with everything. Just check off what you think applies to you and use it as a reference for keeping your leather products beautiful and long-lasting.

List of NG Habits that Shorten the Lifespan of Leather Products

Here is a list of "habits that tend to shorten the lifespan of leather products" that we, as makers, have identified in the process of creating them, ordered by their severity.

NG Habit	Severity	Common Problems
No care at all	★☆☆☆☆	Dryness, cracking
Touching with wet hands	★★☆☆☆	Water stains, blistering, dryness
Applying excessive force	★★★☆☆	Leather stretching, deformation
Continuing to use in humid conditions	★★★☆☆	Loss of shape, mold
Overfilling beyond capacity	★★★★☆	Loss of shape, strain on stitching
Sitting with it in a back pocket	★★★★★	Distortion, strain on stitching

When we receive repair requests, cases where the leather itself has reached its limit are actually not that common. More often, the leather is in good condition, but stress is concentrated on specific parts, causing the stitching or structure to be damaged first.

The lifespan of a leather product is largely determined by "how it has been handled as a product" rather than "the condition of the leather itself."

Let's look at each in detail.

NG Habits for Leather Products (by Severity)

1. No care at all (Severity ★☆☆☆☆)

First is "no leather care at all." It might seem surprising, but it's listed as the least severe.

Vegetable-tanned leathers such as Buttero and Bridle leather, used by Munekawa, are well-oiled. Additionally, they absorb oils from your hands during daily use, so it is quite possible to continue using them without special care.

However, over time, leather gradually loses its surface oils. Regular moisturizing stabilizes the leather's condition (reducing stains, scratches, and blisters) and helps maintain its beautiful state for longer.

As a guideline, apply a thin layer of commercially available cream or oil a few times a year, whenever the leather surface feels dry. There's no need for anything special, just this simple step will be effective.

▶︎Related article: The Basics of Cultivating Leather: An Introduction to Leather Care from Initial Use to Regular Maintenance

2. Touching with wet hands (Severity ★★☆☆☆)

Do you touch leather with wet hands immediately after washing them, or with hands that have condensation from a drink?

Leather is a material that easily absorbs moisture. Repeatedly touching it with wet hands can cause water stains and blisters. Furthermore, as moisture evaporates, it also draws out the leather's oils, accelerating dryness.

If water droplets get on it, it's not a problem if you wipe them off immediately. However, if you frequently touch it with wet hands or leave water droplets for a long time, it can lead to water stains. Once water stains appear, they are difficult to remove completely, and if left untreated, dryness and cracking can progress from that area.

Small leather items are often carried daily, so you might accidentally touch them with wet hands at some point. It's a small thing, but try to be mindful of it.

3. Applying excessive force (Severity ★★★☆☆)

Next, you should be careful about "applying excessive force to the product."

If you repeatedly bend a wallet flap more than necessary or forcefully open and close snap buttons, the leather fibers will stretch. Once stretched, leather cannot return to its original state.

When designing products, areas subject to stress, such as folds and the base of flaps, are reinforced by adjusting the thickness of the leather or triple-stitching to ensure durability. However, this design is based on "normal use." Repeatedly bending at an angle beyond what's intended will inevitably exceed the limits of the fibers.

There's no need to be overly nervous, but try to keep in mind "not to open and close with excessive force" and "not to bend beyond its natural range of motion."

4. Continuing to use in humid conditions (Severity ★★★☆☆)

Leather has the property of absorbing moisture between its fibers. If you hold it with sweaty hands for a long time or leave it wet in the rain, the fibers will absorb excessive moisture. If this condition continues, the leather can become too soft and easily lose its shape, or it can cause mold.

Leather also has a property where it shrinks little by little each time it "gets wet and then dries." The slight change in card pocket size or the curling of a flap often results from the accumulation of these repeated cycles.

If it gets wet, calmly wipe off the moisture lightly with a dry cloth and let it air dry in a well-ventilated place. Avoid using a hairdryer or direct sunlight, as these can cause the leather to harden.

▶︎Related article: 5 Common Misconceptions in Leather Care and the Correct Way to Care for Leather Products

5. Overfilling beyond capacity (Severity ★★★★☆)

Next, you should be careful about "overfilling beyond capacity."

If you cram multiple cards into a wallet's card slots or continue to use it with accumulated receipts, it puts more stress on the leather than intended. This can not only lead to deformation but also affect stitching and joints that shouldn't normally be under strain.

Since leather is a flexible material, you can often cram a surprising amount into it, so some people might find their items inadvertently bulging. However, once the leather stretches from being overfilled, it won't return to its original state.

Each product has an "intended storage capacity." The number of card pockets and the width of the gusset are determined not only by storage capacity but also by considering the line where the leather and stitching will not be strained when filled.

If this expectation is routinely exceeded, stress can be dispersed to areas not designed to handle it, leading to damage in unexpected places. Therefore, be careful not to overstuff just because it "fits."

6. Sitting with it in a back pocket (Severity ★★★★★)

Many people keep their wallets in their pants pockets. However, the pocket environment is not ideal for leather products, so caution is advised.

In summer, for example, heat and humidity can accumulate, damaging the leather. Sitting with the wallet in your pocket applies pressure from your body weight, which can lead to distortion of the leather and strain on the stitching.

When examining repaired items, we often see cases where stitching is frayed on one side, or the leather color has changed on a specific surface. When we ask, it's often because the item was always kept in the pocket in the same orientation.

Either take it out of your pocket when you sit down, or if that's difficult, try periodically changing its orientation (top/bottom, front/back). Even just preventing stress from concentrating in one area can significantly reduce the impact on the leather. This is especially important for slim-fit pants, where the wallet has less room to move, so being a little mindful can provide peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How often should I care for my leather products?

Depending on usage and environment, once a month, applying a thin layer of commercially available cream or oil for care is usually sufficient.

Q. What should I do if my leather product gets wet in the rain?

Gently wipe off any moisture with a dry cloth and let it air dry in a well-ventilated place. Avoid using a hairdryer or direct sunlight, as these can harden the leather. After it dries, applying a thin layer of oil is recommended.

Q. How many cards can I put in my wallet?

The storage capacity varies by product. For Munekawa products, the number of card slots is listed on each product page, so please check before purchasing. Overfilling can lead to deformation and strain on the stitching, so we recommend storing items with some leeway.

Q. Is it absolutely forbidden to keep a wallet in a back pocket?

We do not completely forbid carrying wallets in pockets. Small wallets, for example, offer the convenience of being carried in a pants pocket, and we generally hope you use them in a way that suits your lifestyle. However, sitting with a wallet in your pocket applies pressure from your body weight, which can cause distortion and fraying of the stitching. Please take it out when you sit down, or if that's difficult, periodically change its orientation.

Q. Can scratches and water stains on leather products be repaired?

While it depends on the condition, it is often difficult to fully restore them to their original state. However, minor water stains can sometimes become less noticeable with oil care. Frayed stitching and structural damage can often be repaired, so please feel free to contact us for a consultation first.

Summary: Start with what you can

While we've listed NG habits, it's not necessary to adhere to all of them perfectly. Leather products are ultimately everyday tools. If their use fits your lifestyle, then that's fine. Scratches and signs of use that naturally appear over time are proof of its journey with you and part of the leather's character.

However, if you recognized even one of the points mentioned above, try to be a little more mindful of it. Just doing that will significantly extend the time you can spend with your favorite leather product.

Munekawa also offers product repair and maintenance services. Even if problems arise, we can often help if you consult us. We prioritize crafting products that are designed to last a long time.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns or problems with your leather products.

▶︎Click here for Munekawa's "Repair" services

▶︎Click here for details on Munekawa's direct store in Daikokucho, Osaka