Most products made from genuine leather can be expensive, mainly because they’re hard-wearing, which means they can be used for many years. The best thing about leather is that it only gets better as time goes by. Even if you have to initially spend more on a leather product such as a briefcase, you don’t have to keep repairing or replacing it, allowing you to save money in the long run.
Perhaps you bought a leather briefcase at a great price or you received it as a gift for graduation. Given that you’re reading this right now, chances are you already own a high-quality leather briefcase and you want it to stay that way. To achieve that, you have to bear in mind that anything made with leather requires special attention and upkeep.
Here are some simple tips on how you can care for a leather briefcase:
- Keep It In A Cool, Dry Place
Storing your leather briefcase in a dry place will allow the leather to breathe. When deciding on the most appropriate storage area, remember that leather shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight since heat may cause it to crack or dry out. If your leather briefcase needs to be stored, then do it correctly.
Store it away from high temperatures, dust, and sunlight; if possible, place it inside a fabric box. Reputable companies such as Von Baer recommend using old garments to keep your leather briefcase in good physical condition when not in use. Doing this will help make sure your bag doesn’t flop down and weaken over time, so it can always look new and elegant.
- Avoid Spilling Anything On Your Briefcase
If you’re thinking of using your leather briefcase every day, then it needs regular upkeep. It shouldn’t come into contact with any fluids or similar substances. However, if you accidentally spill something on it, be calm and act fast. Wipe it off using an absorbent fabric such as cotton, then allow it to air dry.
Additionally, if you find yourself out on a rainy day and your leather briefcase gets drenched, again, don’t panic. Just empty the bag and leave it wide open upside down. Use a paper towel to soak up the wetness from the leather exterior, and fill the briefcase with some newspapers to absorb the dampness inside. Leave it to air dry.
- Avoid Overfilling Your Leather Briefcase
A leather bag is highly elastic, which means there’s a lot of room for items such as documents, books, and other necessities. While you’ll surely have enough space for your things, keep in mind that when using a leather briefcase, you should avoid overfilling it since doing so may ruin its shape.
- Condition Your Briefcase
Absorbent materials such as leather tend to attract everything from dust to fungus. Frequently conditioning your leather briefcase can prevent such issues from damaging your briefcase. It’s advisable to condition your briefcase no less than three times annually; however, this depends on how often you use it and the conditions it’s exposed to. If you live in an area where it rains often, you can use a water-repellent substance to condition your leather briefcase every 60 days.
While it’s perfectly alright to condition your leather briefcase without cleaning it if it’s not dirty, see to it that you brush the exterior first. As for regular cleaning, use a moist fabric weekly, and take care of any spills or other damages immediately. When reconditioning an old leather briefcase, it’s essential to clean it several times and condition it 2-3 times a week to restore its elasticity. Repeat if the exterior of your leather briefcase still looks faded.
- Let It Out For Some Fresh Air
Several factors or conditions can cause your briefcase to smell bad. Those include persistent dampness, faulty production, cigarette smoke, and even sweat. The absorbent nature of leather makes odors to adhere fast. If your leather briefcase is exposed to smoke for a long time, it might end up with substance damage that won’t quickly go away. To address those problems, try any of these hacks:
- Condition and wash your leather briefcase. Put it outdoors on a breezy day but keep it away from heat and sunlight. Do this again or several more times within the next several weeks.
- You can also wrap malodorous areas with newspaper for some time. Newspaper can absorb any smell out of leather quite well.
- Additionally, you can opt for the natural way and give your leather briefcase enough time in the open air. Remember: leather is porous, so it attracts everything around it. Therefore, if you place your briefcase in an area free from unpleasant odors and with plenty of fresh air, you may just get excellent results.
- Note What’s Being Used To Care For Your Briefcase
Besides knowing that your briefcase needs care, find out what type of substance is being used as well. Make sure you have first tested the substance you intend to use.
- Stick To the Instructions
This can’t be emphasized enough. The instructions could come from the manufacturer of the leather briefcase, the store from which you bought the item, or printed on the label of the cleaner you’re using. You have to follow them no matter what if you want your briefcase to last. Expensive leather products have been destroyed as a result of failing to stick to the instructions. Without a doubt, your leather briefcase will definitely need some care, therefore, make sure to stick to the instructions.
Conclusion
If you decide to use your hard-earned cash to purchase a high-quality leather briefcase, then it’s only proper for you take care of your investment. Therefore, as you keep track of your range of investments, remember your other prized investment, your leather briefcase.
Leather products may seem indestructible due to their natural toughness. However, they still require some TLC and maintenance in order to last for the decades to come. The most important things you should do are to store your leather briefcase in a safe place and to consider the weather condition when you’re planning to use it.
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