Is it just me or is there nothing better than that fresh, brand-new journal?
That crisp first page and the promise we make to always keep our handwriting neat but ultimately breaking that promise the more pages we fill. I know you can relate!
Our journals are beautiful, hand made and leather bound so we want to give you some tips on keeping them fresh and looking new for longer.
Firstly, it's important to keep your journal out of direct sunlight. The UV rays can cause the leather to fade in colour. Any colour of leather can be affected over time when exposed to too much sun. This happens due to the sun causing the natural oils found in leather to evaporate. This ultimately results in the leather becoming dried out and possibly beginning to crack.
You can read more about the effects of sun exposure to leather here: Q&A #3: How Does Sun Affect Leather? - Chamberlain's Leather Milk
Secondly it is important to keep the leather dry. When leather is exposed to moisture or water for too long or too frequently it can cause the leather to lose its natural oils. Much like the affects from sun damage, leather that’s exposed to moisture over time will often crack, become wrinkled and even start to shrink.
For tips on how to avoid these kinds of damages take a look at this blog: Did you know? Humidity can affect leather | Leathercult.com
Another important care tip for looking after a leather journal is to only use special cleaners, or cleaners designed specifically for leather. Most chemicals can be too harsh. The two chemicals that can cause the most damage to leather are acetone and alcohol. Make sure when cleaning the leather that your product does not contain these two substances.
There are many different ways you can choose to clean your leather. Have a look at this link for the best ways to clean yours How to Clean Old Leather: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
I like to think of treating the leather the way I would treat my skin. With the right care and treatment, it’ll stay looking younger for longer!
