Care for the craft
Leather is made to live.
With time, genuine leather develops character through subtle changes in texture, tone, and patina. Proper care helps preserve the beauty, structure, and performance of your Quintana Leathers product while allowing the material to age naturally.
General care
Keep your leather away from excessive moisture, direct heat, and prolonged sunlight.
Remove surface dust with a clean, soft cloth and allow the leather to breathe after wear.
If your leather becomes wet, gently blot away excess moisture and allow it to air-dry naturally at room temperature.
Never use a hair dryer, radiator, tumble dryer, or other direct heat source.
Cleaning
Use only cleaning products designed for the specific type and finish of leather.
Before applying any cleaner, conditioner, or protectant, always test it on a small, inconspicuous area first.
Avoid using:
- Bleach
- Rubbing alcohol
- Household cleaners
- Harsh detergents
- Furniture polish
- Petroleum jelly
- Cooking oils
- Acetone
- Nail-polish remover
- Products not specifically formulated for leather
For significant stains, specialty finishes, suede, nubuck, or heavily soiled leather, we recommend consulting a professional cleaner experienced specifically with leather goods.
Conditioning
Suitable smooth leather may benefit from light conditioning approximately one or two times per year, depending on climate, use, and the specific type of leather.
Condition sparingly.
Over-conditioning can darken, soften, saturate, or otherwise alter the appearance and finish of leather.
Suede, nubuck, patent leather, metallic finishes, and other specialty materials require different care and should not be treated with standard leather conditioner unless specifically recommended.
Water and moisture
Leather is not automatically waterproof.
Unless a Quintana Leathers product is specifically identified as waterproof, avoid prolonged exposure to rain, snow, or excessive moisture.
If your product becomes wet:
- Blot gently with a clean, soft cloth.
- Allow it to dry naturally at room temperature.
- Maintain the product's natural shape while drying.
Do not:
- Wring the leather.
- Rub aggressively.
- Use a hair dryer.
- Place it near a radiator or heater.
- Tumble dry.
- Leave it in direct sunlight to dry.
Storage
Store your Quintana Leathers product in a cool, dry, ventilated environment away from prolonged direct sunlight.
Leather Jackets
Use a wide, supportive hanger to help maintain the shape of the shoulders.
Avoid wire or narrow hangers that may distort the garment.
Do not fold leather jackets for prolonged periods when hanging is possible.
Leather Bags
Store bags without excessive weight inside.
Lightly fill the bag with clean, soft material when necessary to help preserve its shape.
A breathable dust bag is preferred for long-term storage.
Avoid airtight plastic storage.
Leather Footwear
Allow leather footwear to dry and air naturally after use.
Remove surface dirt before storage.
Use shoe trees when appropriate to help maintain shape.
Avoid storing leather footwear while damp.
Suede and nubuck
Suede and nubuck require specialized care.
Use only products specifically designed for suede or nubuck, such as:
- Suede or nubuck brushes
- Specialty suede cleaners
- Suede erasers
- Compatible protectants
Do not use standard leather conditioner, heavy oils, waxes, or creams on suede or nubuck unless specifically approved for that material.
Patent and specialty leather
Patent, metallic, embossed, printed, painted, and other specialty leather finishes require more conservative care.
Do not apply general-purpose leather products unless compatibility has been confirmed.
For significant stains or damage, professional leather cleaning is recommended.
White and light-colored leather
Light-colored leather can be more susceptible to staining and color transfer.
Avoid prolonged contact with:
- Dark denim
- Strongly dyed fabrics
- Ink
- Cosmetics
- Oils
Color transfer may be difficult or impossible to remove once absorbed.
Natural leather character
Leather is a natural material.
Variations in grain, texture, tone, markings, subtle wrinkles, and creasing may occur between individual products.
These characteristics contribute to the individuality and authenticity of genuine leather and are not necessarily defects.
Patina
Some leather develops a natural patina over time.
This may include:
- Deeper color
- Increased surface character
- Subtle creasing
- Changes in sheen
Patina is part of the natural evolution of many quality leathers and reflects how the product has been worn and cared for.
Stains and spills
If a spill occurs:
- Blot gently.
- Do not aggressively rub the surface.
- Do not use household chemicals.
- Allow the area to dry naturally.
For oil, grease, ink, paint, severe staining, mold, or unknown chemicals, professional leather care is strongly recommended.
Perfume and cosmetics
Avoid spraying perfume, hairspray, cosmetics, or other chemical products directly onto leather.
These products may stain or alter the leather finish.
Machine washing
Do not machine wash leather.
Do not tumble dry leather.
Do not directly iron leather.
Unless a product specifically states otherwise, leather garments should be professionally cleaned by a cleaner experienced with leather.
Professional leather cleaning
For significant staining, specialty leather, suede, nubuck, complex finishes, or situations where the correct treatment is uncertain, Quintana Leathers recommends consulting a professional cleaner experienced specifically with leather garments and leather goods.
Product-specific care
Some Quintana Leathers products combine multiple materials, including:
- Leather
- Fabric
- Knit trim
- Embroidery
- Patches
- Specialty finishes
These products may require care instructions specific to their construction.
Always follow the product-specific care instructions provided with your Quintana Leathers item.
Need help with your leather?
If you are unsure how to care for a specific Quintana Leathers product, contact us before applying any cleaner, conditioner, protectant, or other treatment.
Our team can help determine the appropriate care method based on the product, leather type, and finish.
WhatsApp (312) 686-9647 · concierge@quintanaleathers.com
Care for the craft
Preserve the character.
Protect the leather.
Let it tell your story.