Leather is a living material.
With time, it develops a patina, softens, and reveals its full richness.
Taking care of your Oakwood pieces means extending their elegance and preserving what makes them unique: a noble material, designed to last.
Through this guide, discover the essential steps to care for your leather, suede, and nubuck garments, and maintain their appearance season after season.
1. Sheepskin (smooth leather): lasting elegance
Supple and refined, smooth leather naturally improves with time.
Regular care helps preserve its shine and softness.
Our tips:
- Gently clean it with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
- Nourish it with a specific leather care product a few times a year. (A gentle lotion, like baby lotion, can also be suitable)
- In case of a grease stain, lightly sprinkle with baking soda and pat it in, leave it for a few hours then wipe with a dry cloth.
- Always let your leather air dry, away from any heat source.
- Waterproof it every 6 months to restore its luster.
Avoid:
- Excess water,
- Harsh or unsuitable products.
2. Velvet leather / Nubuck / Suede: delicate refinement
Depending on the finish, the names vary, but these materials share a soft touch and a particularly elegant velvety appearance.
- Velvet leather comes from the inner side of the skin (goat, lamb, or calf)
- Nubuck is obtained by sanding the outer surface of the skin, usually bovine.
- The term suede refers to all leathers with a velvety appearance.
- The term suede refers to leathers with a velvety appearance (at Oakwood, suede is treated in a tannery to be water-repellent)
These materials require special attention to maintain their beauty.
Our tips:
· Gently brush with a suede brush.
· Waterproof every 6 months with a suitable spray.
· Use a soft eraser to lighten small marks.
· After rain, let it dry naturally, away from a heat source, then gently brush before re-waterproofing.
· In case of a grease stain, absorb the excess, then apply Fuller's earth or cornstarch, let it sit, and remove gently.
Avoid:
- Excess water
- Direct heat
- Prolonged sun exposure (risk of discoloration, especially behind a window or in a car)
3. Storage: the secret to a long lifespan
Our recommendations:
- Hang your pieces on a wide, sturdy hanger to maintain their shape.
- Store them away from humidity, heat, and direct light.
- Use breathable covers to allow the leather to breathe and maintain its suppleness.
Taking care of your leather means extending its story… and continuing to wear it, year after year, with the same pleasure.
Oakwood leather pieces are designed to gracefully transcend the seasons.
Proper care will bring out their full beauty over time.
Caring for leather: a sustainable gesture