Whether it's your wallet, belt or bag, proper care will prolong the life of your leather. The natural fibers will eventually break down with time, so some maintenance is necessary. Think of leather like your skin—for your face to look its best, you've got to clean it up now and again and keep it hydrated. Your leather briefcase isn't really that different.

CLEANING

If any of your leather gets dirty, stained or starts to pick up the indigo from your jeans, clean it off with a damp sponge and a dab of mild detergent, saddle soap or (for indigo stains especially) mink oil, working in small circles. Just remember to then let it dry at room temperature overnight. Leather should always be dry when you condition it.

CONDITIONING

Dampen a soft cloth with water and apply a quarter-sized amount of conditioner to the cloth. Microfibre cloths are ideal for t