New Leather Products: What to do before using them? [New Items]

For long-lasting, beautiful leather goods. Introducing basic care methods.

Your favorite leather bag or wallet.

Since you went to the trouble of getting it, you surely want to keep it in beautiful condition for as long as possible.

"Should I apply cream even if it's brand new?"
"Is waterproof spray necessary?"
"What should I do if it gets dirty?"

In this post, we will introduce maintenance methods recommended by Cats of Philosophii for caring for your leather products.

This time, we will introduce the basic care routine you should perform when you first get a new leather item:

"Leather Conditioning Cream → Waterproof Spray"

Here is the basic care guide 🐈✨

First things first! Leather products should generally never get wet

Genuine leather is a material that is generally sensitive to water.

If it gets wet from rain or similar, it can leave behindwater stains or uneven coloring once it dries.

Once a stain sets in, it is quite difficult to restore it to its original state.

Therefore, rather than asking "what to do after it gets wet," it is important to take preventive measures before it gets wet.

That is why we recommend using leather conditioning cream + waterproof spray before you start using your new item.

[New Item Edition] Care before you start using it

"You want me to apply cream even though it's brand new?"

You might be thinking that, but for the sake of using it for a long time to come, we recommend giving it a quick care session before you start using it.

STEP 1: First, nourish with conditioning cream

Leather care products can be broadly divided into:

① "Conditioning cream" to nourish the leather and prevent drying

② "Cleaner" to remove dirt from the leather

For new items, there is no need to clean them yet, so start by using the ① conditioning cream.

If you are using store-bought cream, we recommend a colorless (neutral) one for bags and wallets.

Colored creams can sometimes cause color transfer to your clothes, so colorless ones are easier to handle for everyday leather goods.

Why does leather need cream?

Over time, leather gradually loses its natural oils and dries out.

As it dries, the leather may become brittle or crack on the surface.

This is why you use a conditioning cream to replenish necessary oils and nutrients.

Think of it like applying lotion or moisturizer after a bath😊

Just like human skin, you should care for leather so it doesn't get too dry.

The key is to apply cream "thinly"

Put a small amount of cream on a soft cloth and spread it thinly over the entire leather surface.

Instead of applying a lot at once, the point is to apply a small amount thinly and evenly.

After you finish applying it all over, if there are any parts that still look dry, apply another thin layer just to those spots.

Once you're done, let the cream dry thoroughly.

STEP 2: Finish with waterproof spray

Once the cream has dried, it's time for the waterproof spray.

Hold the leather-safe waterproof spray a little away from the bag and spray it evenly over the entire surface.

If you want extra protection, we recommend applying it in two steps:

Spray once → Let dry thoroughly → Spray again

Applying it in two sessions is recommended.

Let the first layer dry completely before spraying the whole thing again.

*Note: Waterproof spray does not make the product completely waterproof, so please still try your best to keep it dry.

How often should I use waterproof spray?

It's not a "one and done" deal when you first start using it.

Because the waterproofing effect gradually weakens, we recommend reapplying the spray about once every few months.

The interval depends on how often you use it and how often it gets exposed to rain, so please adjust based on the condition of the leather.

Not just for bags,

If you want to keep your wallet as beautiful as possible,

we also recommend applying waterproof spray to your wallet.

The effect of waterproof spray is not permanent. While it depends on usage, we recommend reapplying it roughly every few months.

Let's try maintenance together while watching the video🐈

“How much cream should I apply?”
“How do I apply the waterproof spray?”

Some things are a bit hard to understand just by reading.

On the Cats of Philosophii YouTube channel, **"The Daily Life of Leather Craftsman Leona,"** we also introduce maintenance methods for leather products on video🎥

Please take a look at the actual care process and try maintaining your items with us.

Click here for the leather care video👇

We hope you use your favorite leather goods often and enjoy them for a long time to come🐈✨

When you start to notice dirt or dryness through use, that is the perfect time for "maintenance."

In our next blog post, we will introduce routine care methods, covering everything from cleaning to applying conditioning cream and waterproofing.