From beeswax to baby wipes: how to make your leather last a lifetime

We asked the experts about the best ways to care for, clean and protect your favourite leather clothing, shoes and accessories

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Strong, beautiful and, if well looked after, endlessly long-lasting: leather has long been a staple of many of our wardrobes. And while there are ethical and environmental reasons to consider not buying new leather, the leather items you already own (or buy secondhand) could well outlast you, so it’s important to look after them properly. So, how do you make sure your favourite items – from a handbag to a beloved jacket – last so that you can pass them down the generations?

I spoke to experts to gather their tips and tricks for how best to clean, preserve and repair leather items, so that they keep being useful, and beautiful, for as long as possible.