A Bomboná Carriel is not a seasonal accessory. It is a piece made to last a lifetime — and, with proper care, to improve with every passing year. The full-grain leather we work with rewards generously those who treat it well. This is the guide you need.

Understand before you care

Full-grain leather is an organic material that breathes, absorbs and reacts to its environment. Unlike corrected leather — which has a synthetic coating that seals it — full grain is alive in a certain sense: it absorbs the natural oils from your hands, adapts to your use, develops its own patina. This is a virtue, not a flaw. But it also means it needs active attention.

There are three enemies of full-grain leather: excessive and sustained moisture, extreme dryness, and harsh chemicals. Everything you do in the care of your Carriel should aim to avoid these three.

Daily care: what you can do without thinking

Your hands are your best allies. The natural oils of human skin nourish the leather. Using your Carriel regularly — picking it up, opening it, resting it down — is in itself a way of caring for it. A Carriel stored in a drawer for months dries out faster than one used every day.

Keep water away. If your Carriel gets slightly wet — rain, a splash — dry it immediately with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use direct heat (hairdryer, radiator, direct sunlight): concentrated heat dries and cracks the leather. Let it dry at room temperature, away from heat sources.

Avoid contact with rough surfaces. Place your Carriel on clean surfaces. Superficial scratches on full-grain leather are normal and over time integrate into the patina, but in the first months of the piece’s life it is worth minimizing them.

Cleaning: every two to three months

For regular cleaning, you need only three things: a soft cotton cloth, warm water and, if there is accumulated dirt, a pH-neutral soap or a specific leather cleaner.

Step by step:

1. Remove surface dust with a dry cloth, using gentle circular movements.
2. Lightly dampen another cloth with warm water — not soaked, just barely moist.
3. Pass the damp cloth over the entire surface of the leather, following the direction of the grain.
4. If there are specific stains, apply a small amount of neutral soap to the cloth (never directly on the leather) and rub gently.
5. Remove the soap with another barely-damp clean cloth.
6. Allow to dry completely at room temperature before the next step.

What to never do: isopropyl alcohol, acetone, bleach, household “multi-purpose” products, scented wet wipes. All of these degrade the leather fibers and damage the bronze hardware.

Conditioning: the most important step

Full-grain leather needs periodic conditioning to maintain its flexibility and resistance. Without conditioning, over time it dries out, stiffens and can crack.

When to condition: Every three to four months under normal conditions of use. If you live in a dry or very cold climate, every two months. A sign that your Carriel needs conditioning: the leather looks slightly dull, loses some of its natural sheen, or feels stiff when you gently fold it.

What to use: We recommend beeswax conditioner or natural-base creams specifically for full-grain leather. Avoid silicone-based creams: they seal the pores of the leather and deteriorate it in the long term.

How to apply:

1. With the leather clean and completely dry, apply a small amount of conditioner to a soft cloth.
2. Spread in circular movements over the entire surface, without accumulating in specific areas.
3. Leave to absorb for 15 minutes.
4. Remove any excess with a clean, dry cloth.
5. The leather will recover its natural sheen and feel soft and supple.

The bronze hardware

The hardware on your Bomboná pieces is forged bronze, not plated. This means it will not peel or discolour, but it may oxidize slightly over time — developing a dark patina characteristic of bronze. This is normal and, for many, desirable: it is the mark of a genuine piece.

If you prefer to maintain the original shine, clean the hardware occasionally with a lightly dampened soft cloth. For a deeper clean, a solution of water with a few drops of white vinegar applied with a cotton swab works perfectly. Dry immediately with a dry cloth.

Storage: when you are not using it

If you are going to store your Carriel for an extended period:

• Fill it gently with tissue paper or a clean T-shirt so it keeps its shape. Never store it empty and compressed.
• Keep it in the fabric dustbag that comes with your purchase. Leather needs to breathe — never store it in plastic bags or airtight environments.
• Cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Avoid pressure: do not place heavy objects on top.

The patina: the final goal

With proper care and regular use, your Bomboná Carriel will gradually develop a patina that no factory can replicate. The leather will darken softly in the areas of greatest contact, the bronze of the hardware will take on deeper tones, and the surface will acquire a warm and gentle sheen that is the mark of leather well-lived.

That Carriel, in five or ten years, will not look like any other. It will be yours.