It is recommended that you occasionally wipe your exotic leather items with a slightly damp soft cloth, avoiding excessive pressure.
Direct exposure to strong light, heat and humidity should be avoided, as well as contact with items and substances that may stain or scratch the surfaces.
Store your exotic leather item in the pouch provided when not in use, to help protect it.
Each piece of leather used is unique. The natural markings present in the hide should be considered part of the individuality of fine leather. All leather can be damaged and should be treated with care.
Avoid the following:
- Exposure to sunlight and high humidity
- Dropping, rubbing or knocking on hard surfaces
- Exposure to extreme temperatures
- Contact with oily substances, make-up and solvents
Animal skins, specifically exotic skins, need to be nourished on a regular basis in order to keep them soft and supple and to keep them from drying, cracking, flaking or splitting.
Remember to always store your items in a protective, temperate place when not in use, lightly stuffed with tissue in your dust bag or box- dust is the #1 culprit of dry skins!
Ostrich
Light, natural and artificial, may cause natural fading in the leather. When not in use, store in the flannel bag or box provided. This will also protect against dust.
Should you wish to clean the leather, wipe with a soft damp cloth, free of detergent. Oil stains should be sprinkled immediately with talcum powder. Allow to stand, and then brush off excess. Ink and direct heat will permanently mark the leather.
Apply a small amount of Conditioner with a soft cloth. After application, gently wipe away excess in the direction of the scales until conditioner is gone and there is a soft, glossy sheen. We recommend a monthly or quarterly hydration schedule.
Alligator/Crocodile Leather
Crocodile leather is one of the most beautiful and durable of the luxurious exotic leathers. Without proper care the flexibility, durability and overall appearance of croc leather will diminish drastically. Under normal use and over time, some of the oils that tanners put into the leather will disappear. These oils and compounds must be replaced periodically in order to maintain the beauty and longevity of your exotic leather product.
NEVER use household chemicals (like furniture polish), alcohol, or other solvents to clean your exotic leather skins. These harsh products can destroy the natural glazed protein finish on classic alligator finishes, can often remove any coloring or finish that was applied to the skins, and over time leave your bag looking dull and worn.
It is also important to understand that you can not clean exotic skins with polish, oils or creams…you will only seal in the dirt/dust.
Your items need to be cleaned first, and then conditioned.
NEVER use nail polish or super glue on your bags!
Matte finishes. Apply a small amount of cleaner/conditioner to skin, buff off, and then follow with a treatment of the same color polish or cream (although this is an extra step – Bick 4 used regularly is really the only leather care product necessary). KIWI and Meltonian creams and polishes (both Sarah Lee Companies) offer an excellent variety of common and unusual colors, if you want to take that extra step in keeping your items in supple, healthy condition!
For classic and high-gloss bombe finishes, wiping with a soft, clean cotton cloth regularly and a monthly or bi-monthly treatment, followed by a polishing with the same color polish or cream (KIWI or Meltonian) is recommended.
Snake and Lizard Leather
Although very durable exotic skins, they too, over time, will dry out, flake and/or lift if not given the proper oils necessary to keep them soft and supple. It is important to note that Python skins have large scaled areas on their skins that naturally lift slightly. This should not be mistaken for damage or dryness.
Unlike lizard skins, snake skins have more prominent, defined “scales.” It is critical when treating your snake skin items, that treatment applications be applied (in the direction of the scales). The proper direction can be determined by lightly running your hand along the skin. It will either be smooth (indicating the direction of the scales) or it will be rough or your hand will catch more easily (indicating that you are going against the natural “grain” of the scales). If you rub or apply any products against the natural “grain” of the scales, you will pull the scales up and give the skins an undesirable “flaking” appearance.
Snake and lizard skins are also exotic skins that will last decades if properly cared for with a regular scheduled cleaning Leather Cleaner & Conditioner.
