Frequently Asked Questions
No. Unfortunately, there's no way to completely waterproof any leather item. And to preserve the life of your product, we don’t recommend applying anythingto our pieces other than the Otter Wax Leather Salve or the Otter Wax Leather Oil we’ve listed under ‘Cleaning Tips + Tricks’. Both products will help maintain your leather and give it some resiliency over time.
We recommend any of our semi-aniline dyed leather pieces. Semi-aniline leather is more pet-friendly, kid-friendly and ideal for high-traffic areas because the dyeing process—while still showcasing the natural markings of the full-grain hide—includes a protective topcoat that is easier to clean, more durable overall and resistant to wear + tear.
It should be noted that no leather is 100% claw-proof! Tearing can still happen depending on the pressure, force and frequency of the scratching/clawing.
No! Actually, these marks are what make full-grain leather the most sought after leather on the market. Full-grain hides are intentionally left untreated to showcase the organic, lived-in imperfections of the animal’s skin—the pen-like marks you’re seeing on the hide are likely healed scars from scratches against barbed wire fences and plants like cacti. This is also why your item—and every leather item we make—is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece.
Great question! Full-grain hides are intentionally left untreated to showcase the organic, lived-in imperfections of the animal’s skin—the ‘water drop’ stains you’re seeing on the hide are likely natural skin discolorations from things like warts, insect bites and freckles. This is also why your item—and every leather item we make—is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece.
Unlike the rest of our leather colors, our Cognac Tan and Saddle Tan pieces are pure-aniline dyed. That means by design, there’s no protective topcoat or pigmentation added to even out some of the natural discoloration and irregularities of the raw hide, making it intentionally more receptive to/likely to show normal wear + tear marks like scuffs and scratches. This way, over time the surface becomes a unique, blended mix of markings—a warm, more rich vintage patina that adds one-of-a-kind character to your home.
