How to Clean a Leather Phone Case - The Definitive Guide

You see, we love the look and feel of real leather.

And considering that DeerHandmade has just recently started the production of another gorgeous new line of iPhone case with an incredibly high quality, it basically got our whole team to think about –our leather phone cases how does one take care of them?

Leather always needs a little help to stay in top shape.

That's why we have put together this detailed personal step-by-step guide with all the tips and tricks on how to clean a leather phone case and keep it as good as new forever.

Let’s get started, shall we?

Just like all other types of phone cases, leather can also become dirty and grimy and can even develop those little scratches that annoy us so much.

But you don't have to worry about how to clean a leather phone case now as we’ll take you through our tried-and-tested method to make it come out again like it’s just manufactured.

Before you begin, here’s what you’ll need:

Soft Cloths: Our primary choice has always been microfiber cloths. But you can choose any kind of soft, lint-free cloth that doesn’t scratch the leather surface and can help you rub off the dirt. Just make sure it is not rough or worn out

Warm Water: Get a small bowl of warm water, about 150ml. The water shouldn’t be too hot as it can (and probably will) damage and even disfigure the leather phone case.

Liquid Soap: We have always preferred a gentle liquid soap like baby shampoo or a special leather cleaner and that too in very small quantities, to clean our own leather phone cases, they are the best.

Harsh chemicals and strong cleaners (like the dishwashing liquid or garments detergent etc.) are a big no-no unless you want to remove the leather’s very own natural oils and ruin its structure and texture.

For people who don’t know how to clean a leather phone case, this is a crucial point to keep in mind.

Cotton Swabs: Get some common ear swabs that are commonly available everywhere. These swabs will help you get into tighter spaces of the case like around the camera lens hole, charging port, headphone jack etc.

Leather Conditioner: This is optional but we strongly recommend it. Make sure you choose the one that helps keep the leather supple and prevents it from drying out and cracking.

Our Pro Tip: If you don't have a leather conditioner, no worries. Just get a spoonful of coconut oil or olive oil that’ll work as a good substitute.

Before you start the process, give your leather phone case a quick wipe with a dry, soft cloth to take away the loose dirt or debris.

This will help you avoid pushing the dirt deeper into the leather surface later on when you are rubbing it off forcefully.

Now it's time to clean the case thoroughly and remove all the dirt and grime that is stuck on the leather surface.

Make a DIY Cleaning Solution: Add a few drops of the mild soap or baby shampoo, about 4-5ml into the bowl of warm water and mix it thoroughly. Now dip your cloth into the solution and wring it out as much as you can. You want it damp, not soaking wet or the excess water will get absorbed into the leather and damage it from within the layers.

Wipe down the case: Now wipe down the whole surface of your leather phone case, both from the inside and outside, in a gentle and non-evasive way with the damp cloth. To make sure to keep the leather surface intact and scratchless, do not scrub roughly or press down too hard. Pay extra attention to any parts where there are more stubborn stains or dirt.

Clean the whole surface: Once you have removed the dirt from the outer surface but the more stubborn stains are not budging, take a cotton swab and dip it in the soapy water. Now gently try to clean those stains and also the areas on the inner side of the case, especially the button engravings, ports and camera lens.

Important Note: If you can, try to avoid using any soap or cleaning liquid as much as you can, even if it’s a mild baby shampoo or something similar.

Chemicals of any kind are not good for the texture of high quality leather Deerhandmade uses for our phone cases.

The leather surface can basically absorb the soapy water if you wet the cloth too much for cleaning and are not careful enough.

The warm water cloth should be able to remove most of the dirt and stuff from the surface.

But if there’s a stain or spot that isn’t being cleaned with the damp cloth alone, only then make a mild and dilute soapy solution and wipe off the stains quickly before the soap can dry up on the leather surface.

That’s it, now you know how to clean a leather phone case carefully while preserving the surface perfectly.

But once you've cleaned it, it's also crucial to condition the leather to keep it soft and supple.

The best way is to use a good leather conditioner that you have tried and tested before and avoid any low-quality shiners at all.

Apply a small amount of leather conditioner onto a clean, soft cloth. Rub the conditioner into the leather in gentle, circular motions.

Now allow the conditioner to soak in and sit on the leather surface for at least 20-30 minutes and then wipe off the access liquid.

Our Pro Tip: Even if you don't do a full cleaning every time, you should try to condition your leather phone case on a regular basis. This will keep the leather surface soft and also prevent those cracks.

There's just something about a leather phone case. You take one look at it and the eyes light up with admiration of the phone's style. But beyond the looks, here's why we love them so much:

Leather is extremely durable and can handle the bumps and scratches of everyday life without any significant wear and tear. If the leather phone case is well-made, like we do at Deerhandmade, it can prove to be an investment that can last for years.

Leather has this natural quality that helps it absorb all relevantly common shocks and hits. This will give your phone that extra layer of protection against accidents and drops (we've all picked it up from the floor so often, right?).

Let's be honest, leather can never ever go out of style. We have seen it being loved for decades so it can be safely assumed that it will always be in fashion trends.