In today's fashion landscape, leather products have experienced a resurgence like never before. Men and women spend millions on the latest fashionable leather brands to get the most vintage and unique or modernistic and sleek-looking products such as jackets, bags, belts, boots, shoes, etc. However, amidst the ever-evolving trends, one particular accessory stands out as a symbol of class and sophistication – leather wallets. It’s one of the most popular and distinct items that people don’t think twice to spend on. However, it is also one of the items that is exposed to the rigors of daily wear and tear. Hence, it is quite conspicuous to take care of something you’ve lavished a considerable amount on. In this blog, we’ll provide you with comprehensive guidance on how to clean a leather wallet.
WHY DO WALLETS GET DIRTY?
Leather is a soft and porous material so it’s likely it can absorb spilled liquids, oils, or any moisture it comes in contact with. Seeing how we handle our leather wallets every few minutes, it gets contaminated by dirt from our hand as well as dust, pollen, and particles from the environment can settle onto it.
Leather is susceptible to water damage, so exposure to rain or any likely water source can cause discoloration and mold growth. If stored in a humid or poorly ventilated area, leather wallets can accumulate mold or mildew.
HOW TO CLEAN A LEATHER WALLET?
These straightforward points will not only help you clean your leather wallet but maintain its pristine condition for a longer period too.
Step 1
EMPTY THE WALLET:
The first and most obvious step is to empty your wallet. Make sure no items remain inside your wallet, not even lint or tiny particles. You can use a straw to blow out the dust and lint-filled inner corners. Shaking could also assist, as might a toothpick if something is stubbornly refusing to come out.
Step 2
DISINFECTANT USAGE:
Use a disinfectant cloth and wipe the exterior of the wallet to remove any surface dirt, debris, or bacteria. We place in all kinds of cards, money, etc that have been in places you don't even know and traveled no one knows where. This can spread bacteria. Hence, why disinfecting is essential.
Step 3
IDENTIFY STAINS:
Your 5-year-old wallet would undoubtedly have stains. So, depending on the condition of your wallet, here are three options for cleaning it:
Dry cloth: A clean, dry towel is adequate to wipe the exterior of your leather wallet if it is only dusty or faintly stained. It's also soft and safe for the leather.
Soap and water: If your leather wallet has slightly tenacious dirt stains, use a dry towel and saddle soap to remove them. Apply some elbow grease to remove the discoloration without harming your wallet, of course.
You can try to erase stains caused by oil or grease with a damp paper towel and talcum powder.
Leather cleaner: Leather cleaners are made specifically for cleaning, conditioning, and protecting leather. It can aid in the removal of dirt, debris, and stains. However, make sure to choose the cleaner based on the type of leather you're cleaning and the chemical you're attempting to remove.
NOTE: Always test any cleaning method or product on a small, inconspicuous area of the wallet first to ensure it doesn't cause damage or discoloration. Leather is a natural material, and different types of leather may react differently to cleaning agents.
Step 4
RINSE AND AIR-DRY:
After thoroughly cleaning your leather wallet, rinse it entirely and then leave it to dry in the open air but not out in the sun since sun exposure can dry out the leather and damage it causing cracks in the material. Even the color may fade, so you have to be careful.
Step 5
LEATHER CONDITIONER:
Almost the last step that will breathe life again into your wallet. A leather conditioner is an essential component that can help your leather wallet last longer and look better. It can moisturize the leather and keep it from getting brittle and cracked, as well as improve the gloss and sheen of your wallet.
It's a good practice to apply leather conditioner to your leather wallet every once and a while, to keep it in the best condition possible.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF WALLET
Carrying around a monotonous leather wallet is now a thing of the past. Juzar Tapal Collections has come to the rescue with a captivating collection of 8 distinct leather wallet styles for 2023. The impressive range includes the popular bifold, trifold, and holder wallets so put your mind at ease since we ensure something to suit every individual unique taste.
BIFOLD WALLET: It features two leather panels that fold in the middle, creating four pockets for your belongings. It’s minimalistic with a slim and sleek design. A terrific choice for first-timers like kids and teenagers who don’t need credit cards and debit cards of the sort.
TRIFOLD WALLET: A wallet with three sections known to provide ample space but also known to give the traditional bulky look not only on the exterior but is a comfortable fit for your pocket. For those who love collecting business cards from every place they visit, having extra space can be worth it!
L-FOLD WALLET: It's just like a regular wallet, but with a clever twist. When you open it up, an extra compartment folds out in the shape of the letter 'L'. The 'L' compartment is perfect for keeping your credit cards and ID cards safe, while the horizontal compartment is designed to hold your bills and money.
Its main purpose is to simply provide more storage space to accommodate many items but in a more sleek and streamlined fashion.
ZIP AROUND WALLET: The popular and convenient choice for all your wallet needs! The wallet's zipper feature creates a strong and secure impression, ensuring your belongings are well-protected. Check out J.T.C.'s awesome collection of zip-around wallets! They come in various styles, with one or even multiple compartments to keep all your stuff neat.
MONEY CLIP WALLETS: A money clip wallet is a sleek accessory that keeps your bills secure with a thin metal or leather clip. It also has a few slots or pockets for your cards.
Money-clip wallets are a sleek and modern alternative to bulky bi-fold or tri-fold wallets.
CARD HOLDER WALLET: True to the name, a cardholder wallet is to primarily hold cards. J.T.C. offers petite and compact card holder wallets that favor a minimalist aesthetic and possess additional features like ID Windows or coin pockets.
One of its standout features is its compact size which won't stick out too much. Keeping a little cash on hand is always a good idea. It's never a bad idea to have a few 10-dollar bills stashed away, just in case.
CHECKBOOK COVER: Perfectly sized to fit your checkbook or other documents of the likeness. What’s thrilling is that it can’t get spacious enough. Juzar Tapal Collection has a range of these covers that possess multiple card slots, a clear window ID, a zipper pocket, slide slips, and a bill compartment! It's not just the checkbook that needs to go, but almost anything you mindlessly cram into your pockets.
EURO SIZE BIFOLD: This wallet is typically designed to accommodate European paper currency. They have banknotes of slightly larger dimensions than other major currencies and hence have to have wallets of specific dimensions.
FAQs
Q. How to clean a leather wallet without a leather cleaner?
A. To clean your leather wallet without a leather cleaner, start by getting rid of any dust and lint. To make a soap mixture, simply add a few drops of mild soap, such as baby shampoo, to warm water. Using a cloth soaked in soapy water, gently wipe down the leather. Afterward, be sure to use a clean cloth with water to wipe away any soap residue from the leather. Finally, dry the wallet with a dry cloth.
Q. How to clean a white leather wallet?
A. Here’s what you can use to clean a white leather wallet:
- Rubbing alcohol/nail polish remover to remove ink stains
- Baking Soda; a tiny amount of oil or grease stains. Baby Powder can also be used.
- Toothpaste but just dampen the stained area slightly first.
Q. Can you use water to wash a leather wallet?
A. In this case, it might not be a good idea to wash a leather wallet with water, although it can be slightly dampened to remove one or two stains. Thoroughly washing with water can result in dry and brittle leather that can become prone to cracks.
Q. Can you use baby wipes/wet wipes to clean a leather wallet?
A. Avoid baby wipes/wet wipes/ sanitizing wipes to clean leather wallets. They are alkaline cleaners and extremely harmful to leather which causes the material to peel and crack over time. Not every cleaning agent is ideal for cleaning especially for something as sensitive as leather.