4 Ways to Keep Your Leather Briefcase Pristine
Whether you require a briefcase for your education or employment, choosing one made of leather is smart. Leather is elegant-looking, professional, and its durability will ensure that it lasts you for decades to come. Although it is definitely made of a tougher material than others, it is not indestructible.
In order for your leather briefcase to maintain its great appearance and condition, you need to put the effort into maintaining it. Below are tips in caring for your leather briefcase that will allow you to use and enjoy it for a long time.
1. Remove moisture
Leather does not react well at all when it comes into contact with moisture. As a result, by getting it wet you run the risk of ruining your briefcase. This is because as it dries it takes on the form it was in before getting wet, meaning you could end up with creases and folds as it dries.
If your leather briefcase gets a little bit wet, take a dry cloth and blot the water off as soon as possible. Do not rub the water as this could cause it to penetrate the leather. If your leather briefcase got soaked, blot off as much water as possible. To dry the rest, lay it out flat and let it dry at room temperature. Using a heater to speed up the process is not recommended as this can damage the leather. For soft briefcases, stuffing paper inside may be beneficial so it can maintain its form after drying.
2. Proper storage
As you use your leather briefcase, you want to maintain it as you go so it keeps its elegant appearance and it does not get damaged by every day wear and tear. While this is crucial, you also want to make sure to take care of it when it is not in use.
When you are not using your leather briefcase, make sure it is clean inside and out. Store the briefcase in a dark, dry area in your home or office. This will keep it safe from sunlight, humidity, and dirt that can potentially ruin it. For extra protection, keep your briefcase in a box or dust bag. As mentioned previously, do not keep it near a heat source such as radiator or space heater as this will damage the leather.
3. Condition
Leather is elegant and durable but it needs a little bit of help to maintain these desirable features. Consequently, treating your briefcase will nurture the leather and guarantee that it retains natural oils that keep it looking great.
With either balsam oil or leather conditioner, take a cloth and rub it all over the outside of the briefcase. After doing this, take another dry cloth and wipe off any excess. Leave the leather briefcase in an area where it can dry at room temperature.
Conditioning your leather briefcase should occur once every 6 months to one year. This is important as the oil or conditioner that you use will dry up over time, leaving the leather surface unprotected.
4. Clean
Keeping your leather briefcase clean will not only allow it to look elegant and professional, it will allow you to have it for a long time as you will be ridding it of elements that will break down the leather and cause damage.
To clean the outside of your briefcase, apply a cleaner specifically made for leather monthly. Use a dry cloth to apply the cleaner making sure not to saturate the leather too much. This should be done in addition to using an oil or conditioner to treat the leather. Every few days, take a dry cloth and wipe down the outside as well. This will get rid of dust and minor dirt.
To clean the inside of your briefcase, use a damp cloth to wipe down the fabric. After doing so, prop open the briefcase in a place where it can air-dry.