TIMZ•CO

The Atelier Guide

Leather Care Guide

Cared for properly, full-grain leather only improves with the years — softening, deepening in colour, and earning a patina no machine can replicate. This is how we do it in the atelier, and how we recommend you do it at home.

Step One

Cleaning

Gentle, regular cleaning prevents grit and oils from settling into the grain. Done right, it takes less than five minutes a week.

The Method

  1. 01Brush off dust with a soft horsehair brush, working with the grain.
  2. 02Wipe the surface with a slightly damp microfibre cloth — never soak the leather.
  3. 03For marks, use a pH-neutral leather soap on a barely-damp cloth, working in small circles.
  4. 04Blot — never rub — with a dry cotton cloth, then air-dry away from direct heat or sunlight.

What to Avoid

  • —Household detergents, baby wipes, alcohol or vinegar — all strip the natural finish.
  • —Hairdryers, radiators or sunlight to speed drying — these crack the fibres.

Step Two

Conditioning

Full-grain leather is skin — it needs oils replenished. Condition every two to three months, or whenever the surface looks thirsty.

The Method

  1. 01Make sure the piece is clean and fully dry before applying conditioner.
  2. 02Apply a pea-sized amount of neutral leather conditioner to a soft cloth.
  3. 03Work it into the leather in thin, even circles. Less is more — build up if needed.
  4. 04Let it absorb for 20 minutes, then buff gently with a clean cloth to restore the sheen.

What to Avoid

  • —Mink oil or heavy waxes on smooth dress leathers — they darken and clog the grain.
  • —Conditioning more than monthly — over-feeding softens the structure and dulls the finish.

Step Three

Repair & Restoration

Scratches and scuffs are part of the patina. Deeper damage is best handled early — and often by us.

The Method

  1. 01Light scratches: warm the area with a fingertip and buff with a soft cloth — most disappear into the patina.
  2. 02Scuffs on edges: a matching cream polish, applied sparingly, restores depth without masking the leather.
  3. 03Loose stitching: stop wearing the piece and book a repair before the thread unravels further.
  4. 04Hardware, linings, zips: send the piece to our atelier — every TIMZ CO commission carries a lifetime repair guarantee.

What to Avoid

  • —Super-glue, shoe polish or DIY dyes — they bond into the grain and make professional repair harder.
  • —Ignoring water damage — blot immediately and let the piece air-dry flat before conditioning.

Between Wears

Storage

  • —Hang jackets on a wide, contoured wooden hanger — never wire.
  • —Store bags stuffed with acid-free tissue to hold their shape.
  • —Keep pieces in a breathable cotton dust bag, away from plastic.
  • —Cool, dark, dry — ideal 18–22°C and 40–55% humidity.

Frequently Asked

Leather Care Questions

Lifetime Guarantee

Damage Beyond Home Repair?

Every TIMZ CO commission is backed by our atelier's lifetime repair guarantee. Send it back and our craftsmen will restore it by hand.

Contact the Atelier