How to Care for a Leather Wallet: Cleaning, Water and Smell

A full-grain leather wallet needs very little care: wipe it dry, spot clean it with mild soap if it gets marked, let it air dry, and condition it with a leather conditioner about every six months or when it looks dry. This guide gives the steps, and what to do if your wallet gets wet or starts to smell musty, which is common in the monsoon.

How do you clean and care for a leather wallet?

1. Dry wipe the surface. Use a soft, dry cloth to take off dust and loose dirt. Doing this every few weeks is enough.
2. Spot clean with mild soap. If there is a mark, dab only that spot with a soft cloth that is slightly damp with mild soap. Do not soak the leather.
3. Wipe away the residue. Go over the spot with a clean, slightly damp cloth so no soap is left behind.
4. Let it air dry naturally. Leave the wallet open somewhere shaded and ventilated. Do not use a hair dryer, a heater or direct sun.
5. Condition the leather. Once it is dry, rub in a small amount of leather balm or conditioner. Let it soak in.

Clean and condition it about every six months, or whenever the leather looks dry.

What should you do if a leather wallet gets wet?

• Wipe off any standing water with a soft cloth straight away.
• Let it air dry naturally in the shade. Keep it away from heat and direct sun, which can dry the leather out and make it stiff.
• When it is dry, condition it. Water takes some of the natural oils out of leather, and a conditioner puts them back.
• Vegetable-tanned leather can show darker marks where it got wet. These often fade or blend in with use, and they are part of how the leather ages.

How do you stop a leather wallet from smelling musty?

A musty smell usually comes from damp. In humid weather and in the monsoon:

• Empty the wallet and wipe it with a dry cloth.
• Leave it open to air in a shaded, ventilated spot.
• Store it dry, in a cloth pouch or a ventilated drawer, not in plastic.
• A small silica gel packet in the drawer helps absorb moisture.
• Do not spray perfume or air freshener on it. It only hides the smell and can stain.

If you see mould, wipe the surface patches gently with a dry cloth and air the wallet in a ventilated place. If it comes back or smells strong, message us.

What should you avoid?

• Heat and direct sun for long periods, including a hot car.
• Soaking the wallet or washing it in water.
• Harsh cleaners and anything not made for leather.
• Overstuffing it. Stretched leather does not go back.

What will it look like over time?

Our wallets are full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather. This kind of leather darkens and gets smoother and glossier with handling. A new wallet starts a little firm and softens with use. The darker colour and shine are a patina and are normal.

Questions people ask

How often should I clean a leather wallet? A dry wipe every few weeks, and a full clean and condition about every six months or when it looks dry.

Can I use soap on a leather wallet? Yes, mild soap, only on a marked spot, on a slightly damp cloth. Wipe the residue away afterwards.

What conditioner should I use? A leather balm or conditioner. Use a small amount and let it soak in. For cleaning, saddle soap made for leather works best.

Can I wash a leather wallet? No. Do not soak it or put it in a washing machine. Spot clean it instead.

Does the warranty cover my wallet? Every Thepps wallet has a 5 year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. If something looks wrong, message us on WhatsApp (+91 7588109990) or email hello@thepps.in.

Looking for a wallet? See our guide to handmade leather wallets under ₹2,000 or all our leather wallets.