Leather is a unique material sensitive to environmental factors that can slowly degrade it over time. It’s a perfect choice for a watch, wallet, or even an iPhone case, adding a timeless touch to any outfit. To preserve its quality, it's important to follow proper care practices.

There are various types of leather, including full-grain, genuine, and vegan. Full-grain leather is the highest quality, as it comes from the top layer of the hide and retains its natural grain. Genuine leather, while real, is a lower-grade material made from the layers beneath the top grain and is often heavily processed.

Vegan leather is synthetic and does not come from animals; it is typically made from sustainable biomaterials like agricultural waste or plastic-based alternatives. Since each type ages differently, it’s important to know what kind of leather you have, as care instructions will vary. In this article, we will focus on full-grain leather, the type of leather used in crafting the SANDMARC leather cases for iPhone.

Full-grain leather is like fine wine—it gets better with age. Over time, it develops a natural patina, a hallmark of its authenticity. While some may see this as imperfections, leather enthusiasts consider it the ultimate sign of quality and character. At its roots, patina refers to the natural change in color, softening, and sheen development of leather over time. Because patina is a hallmark of full-grain leather, the results after cleaning it will differ from those of other types of leather.

A. Basic Cleaning: It's good to develop the habit of maintaining your full-grain leather case. Gather a microfiber cloth, mild soap, and distilled water. This combination effectively removes dirt and oil that accumulate over time, especially from daily handling, food, and other household items.

B. Deep Cleaning: Over time, you may accumulate more stubborn stains. For these, we recommend using specialized leather-safe cleaners like Leather Honey. An 8oz bottle of their leather cleaner will help remove tough stains while preserving the quality of your iPhone case.

C. Restoring & Conditioning: For intensive care, we recommend conditioning your leather to maintain its flexibility and prevent cracking. Conditioning is essential for preserving your iPhone case, as it helps protect the leather from drying out and becoming brittle.

While conditioning does not provide impact resistance, it does help maintain the leather’s durability over time. Leather Honey offers a conditioning solution that is ideal for preventive maintenance.

Because full-grain leather develops a unique patina over time, it's important not to over-condition it, as this can oversaturate the leather and affect its natural aging process. Fortunately, since the full-grain leather on an iPhone case is exposed to similar conditions as a phone, many care practices are the same—such as avoiding water, excessive heat, and direct sunlight.

Leather provides a timeless look, and your iPhone case will never go out of style. That’s why proper care is essential. Following these steps will ensure your case maintains its quality while showcasing its natural patina.