How To Care For Your Leather Accessories | La Callisto

A Wonderful, Natural Material

Just like our own skin, leather is a fascinating, beautiful material that when cared for in the right way, it will age wonderfully and develop its unique characteristics.

Quality leather is easy to care for but easily neglected so today we will show you why and how to care for your leather goods.

While this guide applies in particular to our Leather Pet Accessories at La Callisto, it can serve as a good template for caring for all leather goods.

Choosing Quality Leather

Everything begins with the quality of the leather, which is determined by the different layers that a leather piece has.

The rule of thumb is that Full Grain Leather is the best, followed by Top Grain Leather, Genuine Leather and then Leather Scraps (Bookbinder).

Another important aspect is the area that the leather comes from. The best area for calfskin is the bend and the shoulders, since they have a firm, rich texture and age the best.

La Callisto uses only the finest, Full Grain Bend Leather Hides from reputable Italian and French Tanneries.

What To Do (& What Not To Do)

A common mistake is to not clean or nourish your leather.

Would you leave your own hands and face unattended, without moisturizing them or cleaning them?

The same principal applies to leather goods, especially Leather Accessories for Pets that come in contact with skin, fur, dirt, sweat and dust all the time.

In the leather world, the best conditioners and polishes come from Saphir. We recommend the Renovateur in a neutral color.

Using a quality brush with natural hair fibers will help remove the bulk of the build up or dirt.

You should also nourish the leather at least yearly with a nourishing or conditioning cream. This way it remains soft, retains its luster and the risk of cracking diminishes greatly.

Correct storage/drying is also a key to keeping your Leather Pet Accessories in top shape. Avoid placing it near strong heat sources such as the sun or radiators since eventually the leather will dry and crack. If you need to dry, all you have to do is use a gentle cloth to clear most of the moisture and let it dry naturally.

Summary

In this article, we quickly went through a variety of ways to keep your La Callisto leather goods in top shape and things you should - or should not - do.

Here is a final summary for your convenience:

• Choose quality full grain leather from reputable tanneries
• Use a quality horsehair brush for cleaning and buffing (Yak & Goat hair also works well)
• Nourish the leather at least once a year with leather neutral conditioners
• Avoid strong heat sources for prolonged periods
• Let them dry naturally
• Embrace the natural patina

Our pets deserve all the luxury, love and attention. Let's make memories together, one La Callisto at a time.