Leather Care

Every GROTTO piece is made to accompany you over time. Our leathers are carefully selected and shaped through traditional craftsmanship, washing, hand-rubbing and other specialised techniques to preserve their natural character. As with all natural materials, each piece is unique, with its own grain, wrinkles and subtle variations.

With time and use, the leather will continue to evolve. It may become softer, develop a deeper lustre or take on a richer, more lived-in character. These changes are natural characteristics of the material and part of what makes each GROTTO piece unique.

To preserve the beauty and longevity of your piece, please follow the care instructions below.

GENERAL CARE

• Store your handbag in its dust bag in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place when not in use.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, heat or excessive humidity, which may affect the colour and condition of the leather.
• Keep your handbag away from water, oil, grease, alcohol, perfume, cosmetics and other substances that may stain or damage the surface.
• Avoid contact with rough or sharp surfaces, as excessive friction may scratch the leather.
• Do not overfill your handbag, as this may affect its original shape and structure.
• When storing your handbag, keep the straps and chains inside the bag and close all fastenings where possible.
• Natural variations in grain, colour, wrinkles and texture are inherent characteristics of genuine leather and should not be considered defects.
• Before applying any care product, always test it on a small, inconspicuous area first.

LEATHER CARE

Italian Crinkled Calfskin

Imported from Italy, this calfskin undergoes repeated washing to create its naturally crinkled and irregular texture. Lightweight yet durable, it has a translucent lustre and a smooth, satin-like touch.

With use, the leather retains its natural lustre while becoming increasingly soft and supple.

Recommended care: Mink oil.

Italian Hand-Rubbed Vegetable-Tanned Lambskin

Exceptionally soft lambskin is vegetable-tanned over an extended period and then repeatedly washed, hand-rubbed and naturally air-dried to create its distinctive, rock-like wrinkles and nostalgic character.

The leather has a smooth, rounded touch and a soft yet substantial feel. Over time, it develops a deeper lustre and becomes even softer, allowing its character to unfold naturally with use.

Recommended care: Mink oil.

Italian Washed Vegetable-Tanned Calfskin

Selected Italian calfskin is traditionally vegetable-tanned and repeatedly washed before being naturally dried. A water-dyeing process allows the colour to penetrate deeply into the fibres, while the leather is left without an additional surface coating to preserve its natural character.

Lightweight, supple and resilient, it has a fine, compact grain with a dry, smooth touch. With time, it develops a richer lustre and becomes increasingly soft.

Recommended care: Mink oil.

Italian Washed Two-Tone Calfskin

Based on washed calfskin, this leather is individually hand-coloured by artisans to create a distinctive two-tone, vintage-inspired appearance.

Its natural, lightweight feel combines softness with strength. As it is used, the surface gradually develops a subtle lustre and a more pronounced vintage character.

Recommended care: Mink oil.

CARE PRODUCTS

Leather Renovating Cream

A nourishing leather cream designed to soften and condition leather while restoring a natural lustre and helping protect the surface from everyday dirt and stains.

For suitable smooth leather, apply a small amount evenly with a soft cotton cloth or lint-free cotton swab. Allow the product to dry for 2–3 minutes, then gently polish the surface with a clean cloth.

Always test the product on an inconspicuous area before full application.

Not suitable for: suede, nubuck, waxed or brushed leather.

Mink Oil

Mink oil penetrates the leather to help maintain suppleness and lustre, while helping to protect against dryness and everyday staining.

After removing surface dust, apply a small amount evenly with a soft cotton cloth using gentle circular motions. Avoid excessive application.

Not suitable for: patent leather, suede, nubuck, waxed or brushed leather.

For leather with a particularly delicate or untreated surface, please follow the specific care instructions for that material.

Natural Rubber Cleaning Tool

Natural rubber cleaning tools can be used to gently remove dry, surface-level dirt from suede, nubuck and other brushed leather surfaces.

Always work lightly in the direction of the leather's nap. Excessive pressure or rubbing may alter the texture or colour of the surface.

Metal Polishing Cloth

A specialised polishing cloth can be used to gently remove oxidation from metal hardware and restore its lustre.

Use with care around light-coloured leather, as the cloth may darken during use and should not come into contact with the leather surface.

Zipper Wax

For metal zippers that become stiff or difficult to operate, zipper wax can help improve their movement.

Apply a small amount directly along the zipper teeth, then open and close the zipper several times to distribute the wax evenly.

SPECIAL CARE

Suede & Brushed Leather

Suede and brushed leathers have an open, delicate surface and require different care from smooth leather. Do not apply conventional leather creams or oils.

For dry surface dirt, gently brush the leather in the direction of the nap using an appropriate suede or natural rubber brush. Avoid water and excessive friction, as stains and changes in texture may be difficult to reverse.

Waxed Leather

For leather with an existing wax finish, additional conditioning is generally not required. The wax layer provides a degree of protection and contributes to the material's distinctive surface character.

Avoid unnecessary polishing or the application of additional care products, as these may alter the original finish.

Black Smooth Leather

For normal maintenance, suitable leather conditioning products may be used sparingly to maintain softness and lustre.

For localised colour loss or significant abrasion, professional colour restoration is recommended rather than applying colour-restoring products over the entire bag.

 

WHEN PROFESSIONAL CARE IS RECOMMENDED

Some marks and damage cannot be safely treated with household cleaning products or care tools. For deep stains, ink marks, colour transfer, significant scratches, damaged leather, broken hardware or other substantial damage, we recommend seeking professional leather care services.

Please do not use solvents, alcohol-based cleaners or abrasive products unless specifically recommended for the material.

A GROTTO piece is made to evolve with time. Proper care does not mean keeping the leather unchanged, but allowing its natural character to develop beautifully with you.