How to care for your leather goods

Leather is one of the most rewarding materials to wear precisely because it evolves over time. With a little care, a piece will keep looking good for years to come.

Keep it dry
Leather and water are not friends. Take your bracelet off before swimming, showering or doing the dishes. If it gets wet, pat it dry gently with a soft cloth and leave it to dry naturally away from direct heat. If your bracelet will be frequently exposed to moisture, a leather-specific waterproofing product applied carefully at home can help protect it. Ready Sweetie cannot be held responsible for any damage caused by products applied after purchase.

Keep it away from chemicals
Sunscreen, perfume, hand sanitiser and body oils will all affect the leather over time. Put your bracelet on after applying these, not before.

Store it well
When you are not wearing it, keep it somewhere dry and away from direct sunlight. A small pouch or box is ideal. Avoid leaving it coiled tightly for long periods as this can cause the leather to set in a curve.

Let it age
Softening, darkening and small changes in texture are not signs of wear and tear. They are the leather becoming yours. A bracelet that has been worn for a year and looks it is doing exactly what it should.

The clasp
If a magnetic clasp feels weaker over time, avoid letting it snap shut from a distance. Guide it closed gently and it will last much longer. If a clasp fails within 30 days of purchase through normal use, email me and I will sort it.

A note for Florida or any sunny climate
Sunscreen is a fact of life, and it will darken leather over time. That is normal. If you want to slow the process, apply sunscreen on your skin and let it absorb fully before putting your bracelet on or touching your glucose wallet.

Materials
Most of the fittings I use are Zamak, a zinc alloy that my main suppliers describe as lead-free and nickel-free. Gold and silver plating can soften or dull a little with heavy wear. That is normal and not a fault.

Safety
Magnetic clasps contain small but strong magnets. Keep magnetic bracelets away from children under three, anyone who might put them in their mouth, and anyone with a pacemaker or implanted medical device. If you wear an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor, keep the clasp away from the device itself and consult your device manufacturer's guidelines on magnet proximity.

Questions
Email claudia@readysweetie.com and I will try to help.