"I want to take care of my leather wallets and leather accessories so that I can keep them looking good and use them for a long time."
While I have these thoughts, I don't really understand.
How often and how to perform maintenance?
I don't know how to choose care items.
For such people, we have compiled a list of care methods and how to choose care creams (oils) with an emphasis on "ease of use."
This time, we will introduce leather care cream that can be purchased at Tokyu Hands, etc.
5 types and Munekawa's original care cream
We will introduce 6 types in total, including 1 type.

[Table of Contents] How to care for leather and how to choose a care cream

1.Why is maintenance necessary?

2. How to choose a care item: Difficulty of care, frequency, scent, and texture after application

3. Let's try using the 6 types of care creams (oils)

・Lanapar Leather Treatment
・Collonil 1909
・Saphir Dubin Oil
・M. Mowbray Prestige
・Columbus Mink Oil
・Munekawa Care Cream

4. Overall view of care products that are "easy to use even for beginners"

5. Easy care instructions with photos and videos
I actually tried using Munekawa's care cream.

6. Problem Examples and Solutions

What to do if it gets wet
・What to do if disinfectant (alcohol) gets on your skin

7. Summary

<Many benefits! Leather product care>

• Increased durability
• Small scratches from everyday life become less noticeable
• Increased gloss, deeper color and improved texture
• Enjoy the joy of raising a child and develop a sense of attachment
• Reduces damage when it gets wet

Leather is made from tanned natural hides, so just like human skin and hair, it is important to take care of it by moisturizing it.
*Tanning: Processing leather using sap and chemicals to prevent it from rotting or becoming hard.

If you leave it without doing anything, not only will it lose its texture, but it will also dry out and crack or tear, reducing its durability.
Once cracks occur, it is impossible to completely restore the original condition, so we recommend that you maintain it from time to time before it gets to that point.

To sum up, I think the important thing is "it doesn't matter which one you choose, just make sure you take care of it regularly."

Of course, if you are using special leather such as cordovan or exotic leather, we recommend using specialized products, but if not, just give it a try without overthinking it.

However, when it comes time to actually buy one, there are so many types that you may end up not knowing what to buy.
So, we would like to introduce some of the criteria that Munekawa's craftsmen use when selecting care items.

Tips for choosing a care cream

1. Difficulty of care

If you are not used to applying care creams (oils), those that are highly absorbent or do not spread well may be prone to uneven application and may leave marks (the color may be darker in some areas).

② Frequency of care

Creams with high penetration and moisturizing power can replenish the oil with just one application, so there is no problem with less frequent application. Creams with low penetration and moisturizing power, like delicate creams, can moisturize the leather without significantly changing its current texture, but the effect of one application is not great, so frequent application is required.

③ Smell

People tend to focus on the effectiveness of the product, but I think the smell is a very important point. Wallets and key cases are things you touch every day, so applying a cream with a bad smell would ruin them.

④Texture after application

Putting aside the complicated issue of "using them according to your preference," [they tend to give depth to the color (make it darker)]
[Feels moist to the touch after application]
[No big changes, but it moisturizes well and restores shine]
[Feels smooth to the touch after application]
Let's take a look at this kind of thing.

⑤ Advantages

We will now discuss other features.

First, I bought the five major types at Tokyu Hands and other stores. I applied the six types, including Munekawa's care cream, to the vegetable tanned cowhide leather used by Munekawa and observed the difference.
<Process> Apply thinly with your hands → Wait for about 1 minute, then wipe off with a cloth → Observe the condition after 1 hour
*When using this product, be sure to test it on a hard-to-see area first before using it on the entire body.
*If you are thinking of purchasing at a store such as Tokyu Hands, please note that the product may not be available in that store, so please check by phone in advance.

[6 types of cream and oil]

• Lanapar Leather Treatment
• Collonil 1909
• Saphir Dubin Oil
• M. Mowbray Prestige
• Columbus Mink Oil
• Munekawa Care Cream

I used a cloth from Munekawa to wipe it down. You can use an old T-shirt or something else that is soft to the touch. Using a proper cloth can make you feel a little better when you are cleaning it, so if you want to enjoy your cleaning time more, I recommend purchasing a special cloth.
≪Click here for Munekawa original care cloth≫

This leather treatment product uses only natural ingredients, with the main ingredient being beeswax combined with jojoba oil.
It doesn't have any particular flavor, but it's neither good nor bad.

<Immediately after application>

<One hour later>

1. Difficulty of care: Medium

Its penetration is low, so if you take a small amount and spread it carefully, it doesn't seem to become stiff. However, if the leather is dry, the color may become noticeably darker immediately after application. Also, since the hardness of the cream itself depends on the temperature of the air and your fingers, it may be difficult to spread in cold weather such as winter, and it may be difficult to spread.

②Frequency of care: About once every three months

③Odor: Almost none

4. Texture after application: Because it contains a lot of beeswax, a slightly slimy feeling remains on the surface.

The color will be slightly darker immediately after application, but after an hour it will blend in and the color will settle down.

⑤Advantages: Wide range of uses

It can also be used on leather shoes, synthetic leather, wooden products, metal, patent leather, exotic leather, etc. Because it contains a lot of beeswax, the ingredients tend to remain on the surface of the leather, and you can also expect a water-repellent effect.
The official website has information on how to care for each material, so please refer to it.
＜Click here for the official Ranapar website＞

The main ingredients are cedarwood oil, lanolin, and fluorocarbon resin. It has a unique texture that is bouncy and slightly elastic, like slime. If you take care of your hair frequently, it seems well-balanced and easy to use. It also has a high-quality design, which will make you feel good when you take care of your hair.

<Immediately after application>

<One hour later>

1. Difficulty of care: Low

It has high penetration power. It spreads well and seems easy to apply. There is no need to worry about the temperature affecting how easy it is to apply (the cream's hardness). Because it contains a lot of oil, if the application is extremely uneven, it will affect the appearance of the leather, but if you spread it carefully and wipe it off with a cloth, there is nothing to worry about.

②Frequency of care: Once every 2 to 3 months

3 ) Scent: The masculine, elegant and slightly sweet scent of cedarwood. The scent lingers even after wiping, so it may be a matter of personal preference.

4. Texture after application: It has just the right amount of moisture and a natural finish, making it an appealing choice for everyone.

It has high penetration power, so it quickly becomes absorbed into leather.
Lanolin is a highly moisturizing ingredient that is also used in high-end cosmetics. Cedarwood oil also has a high moisturizing effect, so it thoroughly nourishes the leather and gives it a beautiful luster.

⑤Advantage: You can feel safe with one.
It can be widely used for leather accessories and also has water-repellent properties.

Fluorocarbon resin is also used in waterproof sprays. Although you can't expect the same effect as waterproof sprays, it seems that it will have a certain degree of water repellency.
In addition, since it does not contain organic solvents (i.e. it is difficult to remove paint and finishes from leather), it can be used on a wide range of leather accessories, and it is a safe product to have on hand. It can also be used on cordovan and glossy reptile leather.
After wiping it off, it was smooth and had a nice shine.

If you are using it on leather accessories such as wallets, please select "Neutral (colorless)" as there is a risk of changing the atmosphere or transferring color to clothes, etc. Instructions for use and precautions are listed on the official website, so please refer to them.
＜Colonil official website here＞

Munekawa staff also use this cream. It is a highly penetrating care cream that is mainly made from animal oils such as salmon oil and seal oil. It is recommended for those times when you have neglected your care for a while and your skin has become dry or has gotten wet.

<Immediately after application>

<One hour later>

1. Difficulty of care: High

It contains a lot of oil and has a very strong penetrating power, so if you are not used to applying it, it may leave stains.
Also, if too much is applied, the leather will become soft and may lose its shape.

②Frequency of care: About once every six months

3 ) Smell: The distinctive smell of animal fats

Once applied and wiped off, the product itself has almost no smell.

④ Texture after application: The oil is thoroughly replenished, the color deepens, and the leather becomes slightly softer.

Because it contains a lot of oil and has a high penetration power, the color will return to its original color over time, but immediately after application, the color will become much darker and the finish will become matte. It may feel a little sticky, but if you wipe it off carefully with a cloth, it will become moist to the touch, and with use, it will develop a soft luster.

⑤Advantage: Less frequent maintenance is required.
A great help when your skin gets wet or is extremely dry!

The feature of this product is that it can replenish the oil with just one care, so it does not require frequent care. If you care for it too frequently, as mentioned in ④, the leather may become too soft. It may not be suitable for people who want to care for it frequently.
In addition, when leather gets wet, the fibers loosen. Then, as it dries, the oils and moisture contained in the leather evaporate, causing the leather to dry out and become hard. If you leave it like that, it may lead to cracks or breakdowns (tears, etc.), so it is important to properly replenish the oils.
＜Click here for the official Saphir website＞

Perfect for maintaining the status quo.
The packaging design is also great, and it's an uplifting care product.
However, since the ingredients are beeswax and organic solvents, it is not suitable for some leathers. It is fine for leather shoes and other durable leather that has been processed to a certain extent, but for accessories made of natural leather, it is recommended to use it with caution.

<Immediately after application>

<One hour later>

1. Difficulty of care: Medium

It penetrates slowly, so even beginners can easily spread it on, and the finish is moist and natural.
Because it contains organic solvents, it does a good job of removing dirt, but in the case of naturally finished leather like the ones used by Munekawa, it can cause unevenness and affect the texture of the leather if used frequently, so care must be taken.

②Frequency of care: About once every six months

(Ideally, you should use a cream such as Collonil in between to replenish your skin.)

3. Smell: The smell of a high-end suit shop? A scent like honey with lavender added.

④ Texture after application: Less sticky than Lanapar, and more moist than Delicate Cream. The beeswax also gives it a soft sheen.

Beeswax prevents moisture from evaporating and gives a glossy finish, so if you have leather goods that you touch often, they will be moisturized to some extent by the oils from your hands, so I think it would be enough to just apply M.M.Mowbray cream from time to time. However, I don't think it's suitable for leather products that are already starting to dry out. Since you'll be sealing the surface when the inside is not yet moist, in that case, I recommend using a cream that will thoroughly replenish the nutrients first.

⑤Advantages: Easy to use if you want to maintain the current condition and improve the texture

As mentioned in #4, this is not a product that replenishes oil, so there is little risk of the color becoming too dark or the leather becoming too soft and losing its shape.
I felt that it would be an easy-to-use product if it maintained the existing texture of the leather.
＜Click here for M. Mowbray's official website＞

Moderately moisturizing. This product turns the difficult-to-use mink oil into a cream that anyone can use.
Ingredients include wax, animal fats and oils, and liquid paraffin.
Mink oil is included in animal fats.
Liquid paraffin is a colorless, transparent liquid made by refining petroleum and crude oil. It is often used as a base for ointments and cosmetics, and is known for its moisturizing effects.

<Immediately after application>

<One hour later>

1. Difficulty of care: Low

The cheapest of the care products introduced this time is 660 yen.
This is an easy product to try for those who don't know much about it and don't want to spend that much money right off the bat.
It has a hard texture, so it's a little hard to spread, but it doesn't have a very strong absorption power, so I think it's fine as long as you take your time and spread it out carefully.
Sometimes, reviews of this product say that it contains almost no mink oil, but if you have little experience with mink oil, it is very difficult to use. It has such a high penetrating power that it can make the leather extremely soft, causing it to lose its shape, stain, or become too moisturized, which can lead to mold.
This Columbus product contains mink oil, but the main ingredient is moisturizing ingredients such as wax. Even beginners are less likely to experience the problems mentioned above.

②Frequency of care: Once every 2 to 3 months

③ Smell: There is a slight smell unique to animal fats and oils.

I think you won't even notice it after applying and wiping it off.

④ Texture after application: Moderately moisturizing, but not too shiny. Recommended for those who want a dull, shiny finish.

The application feel is similar to Lanapar, but compared to Lanapar, the sticky feeling after wiping is slightly less.
It moisturizes moderately and keeps the surface of the leather smooth.
Even if you wipe it with a cloth, the appearance does not change significantly, and it just has a dull, natural shine. If you are looking for a glossy finish, we recommend Collonil or Munekawa cream.

⑤Advantage: Affordable price range.

As mentioned in #1, this is an easy thing to try for those who think, "I'll give it a try, but I don't want to be too particular about my care at the moment."
I believe that the most important thing is to "take care of it from time to time," so I think it's a good idea to start with a light heart.
＜Click here for the official Columbus website＞

A moisturizing cream with a thick texture. It feels light and almost like a delicate cream.
After application, the leather will have a beautiful luster.
This is recommended for those who want to enjoy regular care.

<Immediately after application>

<One hour later>

1. Difficulty of care: Low

The point that it is easy to use even for beginners is that you don't have to be too careful about the amount you apply or how often you use it. It protects the appearance of the leather while providing it with the right amount of nutrients. In addition, the gloss after application is very beautiful, so you can notice the change noticeably, which makes it easy to get motivated. However, it is not suitable for items that are already drying.

②Frequency of care: Once every 2 to 3 months

3 ) Scent: The most refreshing scent of the six types.

4. Texture after application: After wiping, it has a strong shine and feels smoother to the touch than other creams.

Since it is similar to a delicate cream, it does not contain a lot of oil and does not soften the leather. After wiping with a cloth, it will have a very shiny finish, but the shine will fade over time.

⑤ Advantages: There are few difficult points ◎ It is easy to try if you are a beginner. It is a product that protects the leather to maintain its current state while giving it a glossy finish.

As mentioned in #1, a great thing for beginners is that you don't have to be too careful about the amount you apply or how often you use it.
The leather color will not darken drastically or change in feel after just one care session, but by regularly repeating the care every 2 to 3 months, you can enjoy the beautiful changes that occur over time.
Because it contains a lot of moisture, it is not suitable for leather such as cordovan.

This is just my personal opinion, but the two creams listed below are safe enough to be used without worry even for beginners, and yet I feel they are likely to have noticeable effects.
The fact that you can just "feel free to use it" without having to be too careful about the amount you apply or how often you use it is a nice feature when you're not used to caring for your leather goods, and because both products give a good shine, I think you'll feel good when you see how beautiful your leather accessories are after care.

<Saphir Davin Oil Homepage>

If the dryness is quite advanced, you must first replenish the oil. Leather products that have been wet in the rain will lose oil as they dry, so it is important to replenish the oil. It is a little difficult, but if you use a product with less of the ingredients you want to replenish, you will not feel the effects, so please give it a try.

This time, we will demonstrate a simple method of caring for leather products using Munekawa's care cream and cloth.
At Munekawa, we want you to feel free to take care of your hair, so we teach you a simple method that uses only care cream and a cloth (and sometimes water).
I think this is a method that even beginners can easily adopt, so please try it out with us while looking at the photos and videos!

Step 1.
Gently rub the wallet with a soft cloth to remove dust and other dirt.
If you have a leather brush, give it a quick brush.

• Check
  For scratches that look like they were made lightly by scratching, you can make them less noticeable by putting a small amount of water on your finger, gently tracing over the scratch, and then gently tracing in the same direction as the scratch with a soft cloth. If you rub too hard, the color will become darker in that area, so you should only gently rub over it about 3 to 5 times.
  As you use it, the scratches will naturally become less noticeable, so it's not necessary to do this, but if you like, try it. It won't be effective on deep scratches, so in that case, it's recommended to take care of it regularly and wait patiently for them to become less noticeable.

Step 2.
Take a small amount of cream onto your fingers and spread it all over your wallet.
Spread the cream carefully so that no area is left uncoated. Applying any cream remaining on your fingers to the seams will help reduce fraying of the threads.

Step 3.
Wait 1-2 minutes for the product to soak into the leather, then gently wipe it off with a cloth. You will notice that a beautiful shine appears and the leather's appearance improves. Any scratches will also be less noticeable. The shine will be strong for a while after care, but it will gradually calm down and turn into a natural luster.
Of course, you can feel the difference in effect by using multiple creams or using a brush, but these methods are quite difficult.
If you feel like your skin care is becoming more enjoyable, try using a variety of care products to achieve the results you desire.

A leather care set that comes with a special sliding box.
This set includes the Munekawa care cream and cloth introduced earlier. The care cream is delivered with the logo visible, but after opening, you can set it so that the lid is on top (see the second image), so you can store it in a drawer as it is.
The chic box and gold foil logo make for an uplifting design.
It is also recommended as a gift.
We also sell them individually, so please take a look.

The steps I explained in the photos above have now been summarized in a video.
I think you'll be able to see some difficult-to-understand aspects, such as how much cream to take and how to spread it, so please use it as a reference.

It is rare to use leather products without experiencing any problems. Your wallet may get wet in a sudden rain shower, or you may spill a drink on your bag. Recently, we have received inquiries from customers who have touched the leather with disinfectant (alcohol) on their hands and the leather has changed in some places.
We have posted solutions in our previous blogs so please refer to them as well.

How was it?
This time, we introduced some easy-to-use leather care tips.

Caring for your leather product goes beyond just making it last longer and look nice.
It will be a time for you to take a moment to relax, and you will probably feel a variety of things, such as "The texture has changed a lot since I bought it," "I splurged and bought it as a reward that time," or "I was given it as a gift on that day."
You'll also feel a sense of satisfaction after the treatment, so it's actually a very easy way to refresh yourself.

We encourage you to try caring for your precious leather products while thinking about the memories they hold.
And I would be happy if you could feel even more attached to it.