Tornabuoni Tuscany’s Guide to Leather Care & Maintenance

The Handmade Collection at Tornabuoni is composed of vegetable tanned leather. As one of the most unique and traditional Italian leathers you will find, it is a favorite due to the one of a kind character it develops with years of use. The Italian artisanal tradition of vegetable tanning is a skill that has been handed down over generations for centuries. The process of vegetable tanning is detailed and time consuming; with the close supervision of a skilled craftsman, hides are soaked in natural tannins, and monitored for a minimum of 30 days.

The use of natural tannins, transform calfskin hides into a material that is not only beautiful, but durable. Not one batch is ever the same.

When it comes to caring for vegetable tanned leather we recommend to keep it away from water for at least the first month of use. Keeping it dry during the first month allows the leather fibers time to soften and absorb oils which in turn helps it become naturally resistant to water. Vegetable tanned leather is also sensitive to heat and is best when kept away from extremely hot areas as well as long periods of direct sunlight.

Your first cleaning can be done after a month of using your item. For a light clean, you can use a damp cloth and gently blot the leather, however, we suggest using an all-natural leather cleaner for the best results. Do not use regular soap to clean vegetable tanned leather. Long term use of regular soap can damage it over time due to the chemicals the soap may have. Furthermore, apply a leather conditioner after your cleaning and this will help ensure vegetable tanned leather stays vibrant in color and soft to the touch. As always, take into consideration your style preference. Less care will create a rugged patina; think ‘Indiana Jones’ bag whereas cleaning and conditioning will maintain a more polished look.

Majority of our Classic Collection consists of the luscious deerskin leather. We say ‘luscious’ because when you feel deerskin there truly is no other word to describe it. Deerskin is infamous for being exquisitely soft, lightweight, and surprisingly durable. This high-quality leather has a number of benefits ranging from its supple texture to its extraordinary breathability. The breathability of deerskin enables it to keep cool during the summer and warm during the winter. In addition, deerskin has stretch and is easy to maintain over the years. If your product gets wet, no need to worry about it losing its softness; it’s texture will still remain the same.

You can clean your deerskin leather with a damp cloth or leather cleaner and only use a leather conditioner once or twice a year. Deerskin does not require frequent conditioning. Astonishingly, it requires the opposite. Conditioning this leather too much can actually change the texture and potentially damage the leather.

Known for its finely grained leather, lambskin is also well known for its soft texture and its ability to mold to your shape perfectly. The sleek feeling and the degree of comfort is one of the primary reasons why we have chosen this luxurious leather for our Jacket Collection. Compared to cowhide, lambskin is very lightweight which makes it comfortable to wear throughout the day. But don’t let the lightweight of this leather fool you, it can be an excellent jacket to wear during the cooler months due to its ability to absorb heat and retain its insulation.

While being considered to be one of the most luxurious leathers, lambskin is fairly easy to care for. In terms of keeping your leather jacket in great condition, you will want to make sure you wipe it down with a damp cloth or leather cleaner after a few wears in order to clean away dirt or dust. We recommend storing your leather jacket in a cloth garment bag to ensure that dust does not settle into the leather.

When it comes time for a deeper clean you may want to condition it every 6 months or so if worn regularly. With that said, we find it much easier to simply take your leather garment to a professional, such as a dry-cleaner, who is familiar with leather cleaning and save yourself the hassle.

There is no denying that Python snakeskin is one of the most unique leathers out there. Its interesting scales and rare patterns display how genuinely authentic and elegant this exotic leather really is. Our Exoctic Collection includes many python products in a variety of colors and designs, each truly one of a kind, as they are all painted by hand. Additionally, many of our clients choose to have their python bags custom painted, suiting their individual style.

Although this leather seems delicate, python is surprisingly strong while also being lightweight. Overtime python becomes softer, more flexible, and the scales will eventually turn up, adding to the unique texture and style of this leather.

When cleaning your python products use a damp cloth or exotic leather cleaner and remember to clean in the direction of the scales. If your python product gets wet, use a dry cloth and gently blot up the moisture. As with all leather products, allow your accessory to dry away from direct heat and sunlight. The frequency of cleaning will depend on the amount of use but we suggest every few months. As for using a leather conditioner, be sure to use one that is specific to exotic leather; in our experience, foamy conditioners work well in that they better reach in between the nooks and crannies of the scales. For any serious cleaning, we recommend finding a leather professional.

Ostrich leather is considered to be one of the most sought-after luxury leathers in the market due to its unique markings and supple texture. Ostrich has a very distinctive texture, characterized by dot-like markings, or rather, the pores from where at one time there were feathers. Our Exoctic Collection includes ostrich not only because of its prestigious characteristics but also because it is considered to be one of the most durable and strong leathers in the world. Soft to the touch, this exquisite leather has natural oils which enables it get better and more beautiful with time.

The care and maintenance of ostrich leather follows the same general rules of all leather care; try to avoid excessive moisture and heat, clean with a damp cloth and / or specific exotic leather cleaner, then let it dry in a well ventilated area. In the case of spills or excess water, make sure to gently blot dry. For oil-type stains, you can use talcum powder to assist in absorption then gently wipe off after about an hour. Conditioning this leather is also recommended, to maintain the soft and supple texture over the years.

Crocodile leather is one of the most exclusive leathers you can buy. As with all exotic leather, the scarcity of it plays a significant role in determining the value. The most widely used portion of crocodile leather comes from the belly of the reptile. This portion of the hide is a bit softer and therefore more pliable while the backside is stiffer and more difficult to work with.

As far as design goes, crocodile leather boasts a sophisticated look that will never go out of style. In order to age with grace, it is important to provide this leather with extra attention compared to others. Despite being a tough reptile, the longevity of its hide will be extended much longer if you regularly clean and condition it. Fortunately, the cleaning and conditioning doesn’t require any special skills, only consistency. Gently wipe off crocodile leather with a damp cloth or clean with a specific exotic cleaner, let it dry in a well ventilated area, and then be sure to condition with a proper exotic leather conditioner. Lastly, be vigilant and store your crocodile products in a cloth bag to ensure they are kept away from harsh elements.