A tan leather coin purse, a white cloth, and a tin of leather care product on a dark wooden surface.

Leather Care Lesson 1

How to Apply Leather Cream

One of the great joys of owning a leather item is watching it develop a unique patina over time. The more you use your piece, the more character and depth it gains. With proper care, your leather companion will age beautifully and stay with you for years to come. Explore the basics of leather care in the simple steps below.

What You'll Need

・Leather care brush
・Leather cream or oil
・Clean cotton cloth (for applying leather cream or oil)
・Clean cotton cloth (for dry wiping)

※ Note on the choice of cloth: to avoid scratching or zippers catching onto the fabric, we recommend using a cloth made from natural materials such as cotton. Do not use pile fabrics.

A flat lay showing leather care items: a tan leather coin purse, a white polishing cloth, a tin of Collonil 1909 leather cream, and a brush, all arranged on a dark, textured surface.

When to Apply Leather Care?

A person's hands holding a tan leather coin purse.

If the surface of your leather item begins to feel dry, it’s time to apply a leather cream or oil. Conditioning keeps the fibers supple, helps prevent cracking or other damage, and restores a beautiful sheen.

As you continue to spend time with your leather pieces, you’ll naturally get a feel for your own preferences and the ideal timing for care.

Leather Care in 3 Steps

1. Remove dust

A person's hands holding a tan leather coin purse and a brush, presumably for cleaning or conditioning.
A person's hands cleaning or conditioning a Tsuchiya Kaban's Tone Nume Shoulder Bag with a brush.

Remove any items inside your piece before gently removing dust with a leather care brush. Do not brush vigorously. Pay extra attention to the seams and folds where dust and dirt are more likely to accumulate.

2. Dab a cloth with leather cream

A close-up of hands using a white cloth to scoop cream from a clear jar.

Dampen a clean, soft cotton cloth with a small amount of leather cream—about the size of a penny. For smaller items such as wallets or card cases, a drop the size of a grain of rice is enough. Adjust the amount based on the size and condition of your bag, using only as much cream as needed to lightly nourish the leather.

3. Spread the cream

A person's hands applying cream to a tan leather coin purse with a white cloth.
A person's hands applying cream to a tan leather bag with a white cloth, with an open jar of cream in the foreground.

Use a circular motion to evenly spread the leather cream over the entire surface of your piece. Avoid applying too much in one spot, as this can cause staining—apply the cream thinly and efficiently.

Depending on the type of leather, slight discoloration may occur after application. If this is your first time using leather cream, we recommend testing it on a less visible area, such as the bottom of your bag, before treating the entire piece.

4. Dry your piece

A top-down view of hands pouring hot water from a gooseneck kettle into a coffee dripper with grounds, next to a coffee grinder.

Allow the leather oil to fully absorb by leaving your piece undisturbed for about an hour away from direct sunlight. Perhaps take this time to brew a cup of coffee and enjoy a moment of relaxation—turning your leather care routine into a small, mindful ritual can be a real pleasure.

Note: Drying times may vary depending on the leather cream or oil used. The suggested one-hour resting time is based on the use of Collonil Crème de Luxe Colourless, available at Tsuchiya Kaban’s physical stores. If using a different product, please follow the manufacturer’s recommended drying time.

5. Dry wipe your piece

A person's hands wiping a tan leather coin purse with a white cloth.

Once your item is dry, use a clean cotton cloth to dry wipe the entire product—and that's it!

【Note】

  • We only sell the Collonil Crème de Luxe Colourless at our physical stores.
  • Begin routine leather care approximately 3–6 months after you start using your piece. We recommend maintaining your item 2–3 times per year.

Lesson 2

Leather Care Lesson 2 – Waterproofing Leather: How to Effectively Prevent Water Stains and Dirt

Lesson 3

Leather Care Lesson 3 – How to Store Leather Bags