Summer is over and the days are becoming cooler and more comfortable.

Autumn and winter are dry seasons. Leather products that you use every day may become dry and suffer damage without you even realizing it.

Just like human skin, dryness is the enemy of leather products . The dry air of autumn and winter robs leather of its moisture, and if left untreated, it can lead to damage that is difficult to recover from.

This time, in preparation for the dry season, we will explain how to care for your leather so that you can use your precious leather products for a long time and keep them beautiful.

By knowing the optimal "frequency," "amount of oil," and "correct procedure" for care, anyone can care for their leather products with confidence.

Leather care is important in autumn and winter

Leather is a natural material made from animal hide. Its suppleness is maintained by the perfect balance of moisture and oil contained within the leather.

However, when the air gets dry, the moisture and oil inside the leather gradually evaporates, causing the leather fibers to harden, which can cause various problems for leather products.

Three typical problems caused by dryness

1. Cracks and silver peeling
   This is a phenomenon in which the surface of the leather hardens due to drying, and it cannot withstand stress such as bending, causing it to crack. Once cracking occurs, it is very difficult to restore it to its original state.

2. Fading and deterioration of texture
   If the leather does not have enough oil, it will lose its natural deep color and moist luster. The surface will become dry and look old.

3. Shape loss
   When leather loses its natural flexibility, wallets and other items can easily lose their shape. If the shape changes while the item is inside, it will be difficult for it to return to its original shape.

To prevent these problems and maintain the natural beauty of leather, regular moisturizing care during the autumn and winter seasons is extremely important.

Important points to remember about leather care

Leather care can be done easily in about 10 minutes, but there are a few points you should keep in mind, so we'll introduce them here.

Before you begin

First, gather the tools you'll need for maintenance.

• Horsehair brush
  For removing dust. The soft bristles are designed to not damage leather.
• Oil/Cream
  Used to replenish oils in leather.
• soft cloth
  It's useful to have two sheets on hand for applying oil and for the final dry wipe.

Brushing is something that is often forgotten in addition to [Point 1]

The first thing to do is to remove any dust or dirt from the surface of the leather.

Brushing your hair before applying oil or cream is an incredibly important step, even though it's often overlooked . By first removing any dirt, you can apply the oil evenly without any unevenness.

Also, if you apply oil or cream to dirty leather, the dirt may become deposited in the leather, so first remove any dirt from the surface of the leather with a brush.

[Step 2] Moisturize with oil or cream

Once the surface has been cleaned by brushing, it's time to moisturize. Munekawa recommends oils that penetrate deeply into leather, and cream-type care products that can also protect and polish the surface.

The biggest tip to avoid making mistakes is to not apply too much at once .

The amount you take on your finger at one time should be just enough to make you feel like "this is a little bit short."

A common mistake is to apply too much at once, but applying too much can cause spots, so be careful.

[Step 3] Wipe dry and let it rest

Once you have finished applying the oil, do not put it away immediately, but let it rest in a well-ventilated, shady area for 30 minutes to an hour to allow the oil to penetrate into the leather.

Then, with another clean, untreated cloth, gently wipe away any excess oil remaining on the leather surface. This dry wipe leaves the surface non-sticky and gives it a beautiful shine.

When starting your treatment, we recommend testing it first in an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn't leave any stains.

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Munekawa also offers a "pre-care" service where we oil your ordered products before shipping, so even if you are worried about how to care for them right after purchase, you can start using them with peace of mind.

▶︎Reference article: Explaining the key points and benefits of "pre-care" and "aftercare."

Leather Care Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Here we answer some of our customers' most frequently asked questions about leather care.

Q1. Should I use waterproof spray?
A. Water can stain leather, so waterproof sprays are an effective solution. However, they are not effective on all leather products, so if you do use one, be sure to choose one that is specifically designed for leather, follow the directions carefully, and test it on an inconspicuous area first before using it on the entire surface.

▶︎Reference article: 5 Questions Customers Ask About Leather Care

Q2. Can I ask you to take care of it?
A. Of course. If you bring your Munekawa products to the Munekawa store in Daikokucho, Osaka, we will provide you with oil care.
In addition, through our "Aftercare" service, which you can order online, we will take care of your items and thoroughly check for any defects, so please feel free to use this service as well.

▶︎More details about Munekawa Direct Store here

▶︎ Click here to order "Aftercare"

Q3. If it cracks, can I no longer use it?
A. If the cracks are shallow on the surface, moisturizing the leather may make them less noticeable and prevent them from getting worse. However, deeper cracks where the leather fibers have been torn are difficult to repair, so be sure to moisturize the leather regularly.

summary

What did you think?

Autumn and winter are the seasons when leather accessories look great with thick clothing, but at the same time, it is also the season when you need to be careful about dryness.

By regularly caring for your leather goods by following the three key points introduced here - brushing, moisturizing, and wiping dry - you can keep your precious leather goods comfortable and protected in the fall and winter.

Please check the condition of your leather wallets and accessories.