How to Care for Your Allett Wallet

Your wallet is an investment. It’s an accessory that acts almost like a companion and is meant to protect your cash and credit cards while lasting you for years to come - even with ongoing use.

We specifically created our Allett wallets for those that lead an active lifestyle. Since 1995 every wallet that we’ve designed here at Allett is handcrafted to be long lasting, so you can be confident that your wallet will be able to remain in the best possible condition whether you’re hiking, going for a bike ride, or just buying groceries.

But while we've designed each and every stitch to withstand the abuse of day-to-day use, your wallet will last even longer if you add a few simple, easy wallet care tips. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some easy step-by-step tips for maintaining your wallet, so that you can get the most from your purchase, keep your wallet looking its absolute best, and continue to take it with you on your adventures.

How to Clean a Nylon Wallet - Nylon Wallet Care and Maintenance Tips

We make our nylon wallets with waterproof nylon, vibrant colors, and reinforced stitching. But nylon wallets can still get dirty, especially if you’re using it every day.

If your nylon wallet is starting to look a little bit more worn out than you’d like, consider the following wallet care tips:

• Remove Items from Wallet – Your wallet will be easier to clean and will dry faster if there are no credit cards, cash, or other items within the wallet.
• Create a Cleaning Solution With Laundry Detergent – Nylon should not be cleaned by harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning solutions. Instead, mix about 8 ounces of cool water (not hot) with a few small squeezes of dish soap (like Dawn or any household brand). Mix together as best you can.
• Scrub with Bottle Scrubber or Toothbrush – Using a bristle brush, like a toothbrush, dip it into the cleaning solution and rub the brush over the dirt or stain until you see a lather. Hard, set in stains may need a bit of extra brushing.
• Wipe With a Wet Rag – Gently wipe the lather away with a cool and wet rag. Apply a bit of pressure, but extensive pressure should be unnecessary.
• Let Dry – Let your wallet air dry by either hanging it up or placing it in an upside down V shape on top of a towel. Because nylon is naturally water resistant, it should dry within only a few hours.

Although nylon goods typically respond well to cleaning, it is easier to clean a stain as early as possible. Set-in stains can be removed, but may require more work on the part of the owner.

What About More Difficult Nylon Stains?

Most dirt and staining can be removed with the steps above. For more difficult set-in staining, it may be a good idea to repeat the process once or twice after the wallet has dried. If you find that your stain is especially difficult to remove, consider the following:

• Laundry Detergent in Place of Dish Soap

If your stain does not respond well to dish soap, try creating a similar solution with laundry detergent. If using laundry detergent, first make sure to test it on a small corner of the wallet first to ensure that it does not affect the color. Our nylon is not known to fade, but some detergents can have additives, like bleach, that may have an effect on color.

• Talc for Oil Based Stains

Oil stains should also respond well to dish and laundry soap on your nylon wallet. However, if you have a particularly difficult oil stain (for example black motor oil), you can use talcum powder to wipe it away.

After you’ve wiped the stain using the dish soap mixture above, sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder on the stain. Take the same toothbrush and gently scrub the talcum powder away. Then clean again using the soap/water mixture. This can be repeated multiple times as needed.

• Cold Wash in Washing Machine

Our nylon wallets are durable and should be able to withstand most washing machines. Washing machines can be more abusive to the fabric, may apply detergent unevenly, and could introduce new stains such as color leak from other clothing. All these are why it is better to clean it by hand.

But if you have particularly difficult stains that you cannot seem to remove, it may be worth placing the nylon wallet in the washing machine. After it has been washed, take it out and air dry it.

 

How to Clean a Leather Wallet - Leather Wallet Care and Maintenance Tips

One of the best parts about leather is that ongoing wear and tear can actually improve the look of the leather over time, giving it a patina that many people adore. But occasional maintenance is still useful to keep your leather wallet looking its best, especially with our wallets, which are made of premium quality Nappa leather that can be passed down from generation to generation. The following are basic maintenance tips for our full grain leather wallets:

Cleaning Light Dirt and Smudges

Some dirt and smudges can be wiped away with a dry or lightly moistened rag, with no additional cleaning needed. But when a bit more is required, you can clean your leather wallet using the following:

• Microfiber Cloth
• Gentle Hand Soap
• Warm, NOT HOT, Water

Step 1: Put a few ounces of warm water in a cup with a few squirts of hand soap and mix it together.

Step 2: Soak a small part of the microfiber cloth in the soapy water.

Step 3: Wring out the excess liquid so that it is only a bit moist, and not dripping.

Step 4: Gently rub the stain with the cloth. Scrubbing is not necessary and can harm the leather.

Step 5: Rub the area very gently with a dry cloth to soak up any moisture.

Step 6: Let the wallet air dry. Make sure the wallet is not bent or incorrectly folded, as it will dry in that position.

Step 7 (Optional): It is possible to buy some over-the-counter leather conditioner that you can apply to the wallet in order to keep it soft. Follow the instructions on the conditioner for the amount/volume.

That should be all you need to get rid of light stains on your wallet. Some cleaning is recommended on an ongoing basis to prevent heavy stain buildup. Every few months, it is recommended that you clean your wallet using the above steps just to keep your wallet in the best possible condition.

Cleaning Heavy Stains

Full grain leather wallets are water resistant, and less likely to see heavy staining. But products like motor oil can still cause extensive leather damage. There are over the counter leather cleaners and conditioners that can be purchased to clean extensive leather staining. If you want to try cleaning it on your own, consider the following:

• Start with the soap and water instructions, as seen above.
• Place a heavy amount of talc-based baby powder on the stain. Let it sit for at least 3 hours.
• Wipe off the excess powder with a dry rag.
• Using a different rag, follow the same soapy water instructions above to wash away the baby powder/oil mix. Remember – do not scrub.
• Dry with an additional cloth. You can use the same rags but it is safer to have more than one and be less likely to make a mess or mistake.
• Add conditioner made for leather goods, which can be purchased at many retail stores. Conditioner can help keep the wallet soft, which is useful when using so many cleaners on your leather wallet.

Leather wallet care can extend the life of your wallet. With basic wallet maintenance, your wallet can last for decades – and even be passed down to your children.