How to Clean Wallet Leather

Co-authored by James Sears and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: December 29, 2021 References

Wallets are things that you carry around every day, but not many people think to clean them when they’re dirty. If you have a leather wallet that’s stained or just dirty from everyday use, you can use either a liquid leather cleaner for regular wear and tear or saddle soap for a deeper clean. Whenever you’re finished cleaning your wallet, use a conditioner to make your wallet shine!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Deep Cleaning Your Wallet with Saddle Soap

1
Wipe the leather with a wet cloth first. Wet a soft cotton cloth with warm water, and wring it out completely. Wipe away any excess dirt or grime on the surface of your wallet so you’re getting a deep clean once you start using the soap.^{[1]
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- Make sure to take everything out of your wallet before cleaning it.
- Don’t leave any water on the surface of your wallet since it could cause the leather to crack or deform.
2
Rub a small amount of saddle soap onto the cloth. Saddle soap is used to clean any sort of leather. Open the canister of saddle soap, and apply a small amount to a corner of the cloth by rubbing it on.^{[2]
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- Saddle soap can be purchased online or in convenience stores.
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3
Clean your wallet along the grain. After applying the soap to the cloth, work along with the grain of your leather, or the way that the wrinkles run. As you rub the soap on your wallet, the dirt will lift up onto the cloth. Working the soap into the leather until you don’t see any more residue lifting up.^{[3]
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- Be careful around the seams on your wallet so they don’t rip or break while you’re cleaning them.
Tip: Don’t forget to work the soap on the inside of your wallet so it’s completely clean.
4
Clean deep stains with a cotton swab in a circular motion. Rub the end of a cotton swab in the saddle soap and then work it into the stain in small, concentric circles. If one end of the cotton swab gets soiled, use the other end. Once you’ve worked the soap into the leather, wipe it off with a clean cloth.^{[4]
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5
Wrap the wallet in a dry towel and leave it for 10 hours. Lay your wallet flat on a hand towel that’s slightly larger than it. Fold the sides of the towel around the wallet so it’s completely covered. Press on the towel lightly to absorb some of the water and then let it dry in a cool area for 10 hours.^{[5]
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- Keep the wallet out of direct heat even though it’s wrapped.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Leather Cleaner

1
Spray a commercial leather cleaner onto the wallet.^{[6]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Shake the bottle of leather cleaner before you open it. Set your wallet on a table in front of you so it lays flat. Spritz about 2 pumps of leather cleaner onto a folding wallet and 3 pumps onto a larger one. Let the cleaner soak into the leather for about 30 seconds before moving on.^{[7]
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- Make sure to completely empty your wallet before you start cleaning it.
- Leather cleaner can be purchased from convenience stores.
Tip: Lay a cloth down in your work area so you don’t get any of the cleaner on your work surface.
2
Scrub the wallet leather with a stiff-bristled toothbrush. Work in small concentric circles to work the cleaner into the wrinkles of the leather. Continue scrubbing the cleaner until it forms suds on your wallet. Once you finish one side of the wallet, flip it over and scrub the other side.^{[8]
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- Don’t put too much pressure on the seams or else they may come undone while you’re cleaning them.
3
Clean inside your wallet with a cloth and leather cleaner. Spray 1 spritz of the leather cleaner onto the corner of a soft cleaning cloth. Work the cleaner into each of the slots and pockets until it creates suds.^{[9]
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- If the inside of your wallet has a liner, you can just use a damp cloth to clean the inside.
4
Wipe the cleaner off of the wallet with a clean cloth. Once you’re done scrubbing your wallet, use a clean cotton cloth to pat the cleaner off of the leather. Be gentle while wiping the cleaner off so you don’t cause any damage to your wallet. When you’ve removed all of the visible suds, pat the wallet a final time with your towel to lift any residual cleaner from the wrinkles.^{[10]
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- Don’t use any sort of abrasive cloth to clean your leather since it could scratch or damage the wallet.
5
Let the wallet air dry completely overnight. Leave your wallet in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight. Leave it alone overnight or for at least 10 hours so it can dry completely. Once the wallet is dry, you can put your items back inside and use it again.^{[11]
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- Never put your wallet in a dryer or in direct sunlight because the leather may shrink or crack.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Conditioning Your Wallet

1
Rub the corner of a soft cotton cloth in the leather conditioner. Leather conditioner is used to moisturize your leather. Open the tin of conditioner, and dip the edge of your cleaning cloth in. Coat the towel with a light layer of the conditioner and scrape any excess back into the tin.^{[12]
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- Leather conditioner can be found online or in convenience stores.
- If you have a suede wallet, use a conditioner made specifically for the material.
2
Work the conditioner into the wallet in small circular motions. Pinch the towel between your fingers, and rub the conditioner into the wallet. Go over the entire surface of your wallet in small concentric circles. Coat the surface evenly by going over the same area 2-3 times.^{[13]
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- The color of your leather may appear slightly darker as you apply the conditioner. It will not change the overall color.
3
Buff the wallet with a clean, dry cloth until it has a shine. Use a different towel than the one you used to apply the conditioner. As soon as you’re done applying the conditioner, put firm pressure on the towel while you rub the leather with the grain. Continue rubbing your wallet until it has a bright sheen to it.^{[14]
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Tip: Condition your wallet every 4-6 months to help preserve the quality of the leather and make your wallet last longer.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can I clean a wallet without leather cleaner?

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
James Sears leads the customer happiness team at Neatly, a group of cleaning gurus based in Los Angeles and Orange County, California. James and the team have nine years of experience and offer green cleaning, interior and exterior window washing, and general apartment cleaning services. He provides transformative cleaning experiences by reducing clutter and renewing your home environment. James is a Trustee Scholar at the University of Southern California.

James Sears

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can try using white vinegar to remove stains, but if that doesn't work you may need to use a standard cleaner.

Warnings

Avoid using abrasive cleaners, such as ammonia, to clean your wallet since it may eat through the leather.

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Don’t put your wallet in a washing machine since it could damage the leather.

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