There are few kinds of leather that stand out as much as snakeskin.  The slick, scaly shimmer of our reptilian friend emanates a shadowy  coolness, only concealing its voracious primal nature by a distinctive  serpentine cunning. There is both power and subtlety to be found in this  most elegant of leathers, and a clandestine air of authority. If you  have been looking for a leather to give you the respect you deserve,  look no further. While snakeskin leather is certainly exotic, it is also somewhat  fragile if treated improperly. The skin is by nature highly absorbent,  and will take in and release moisture around it more quickly than most  leather types. Due to this characteristic, standard leather products  like alcohol, oil, and acetone can actually ruin your snakeskin leather  care efforts. Weather, extreme temperatures, spills and dusty floors can  also be hazardous to deal with – if the forecaster tells you it is  going to rain or snow tomorrow, do not wear your snakeskin shoes out of  the house. Untreated weather or environment effects may lead to dye  runs, staining or water damage. Don’t leave it in front of radiators or  anything with lots of heat, as this will cause the snakeskin leather to  dry out and crack, something potentially impossible to repair, and will  give the snake a shriveled and weathered appearance. This isn’t to say  snakeskin leather is not durable. On the contrary, it holds together  very well. But unlike Godric Gryffindor’s sword from Harry Potter, it  will not take in only that which makes it stronger. Come to think of it,  Godric Gryffindor’s sword slew a snake, didn’t it? 

Don’t Tip the Scales

If your snakeskin leather does get wet, don’t worry! Simply dry the  water off with a dry, white cotton or flannel cloth. If you don’t have  one of these handy, using tissue to gently blot up the moisture will  work. Also, always wipe in the direction of the scales. This is one of  the single-most important things to know for proper snakeskin leather  care. If you brush opposite the scales’ direction, you may end up  lifting the scales and permanent damage could result. When you have  dried your snakeskin leather as much as you can with a cloth, allow the  item to dry naturally in a cool place indoors, away from direct heat and  sunlight. You’ll want to store snakeskin leather in similar fashions. Cool, dry  places away from heat and sunlight are ideal, and keep the place clean.  Dust bags and boxes work particularly well. Your snakeskin will, of course, need to be cleaned and conditioned  routinely, usually about two to three times a year. Snakeskin is an  exotic leather, and will therefore need different conditioning methods  than ordinary leather. Do not use commercial cleaning or conditioning  products. The consistency and pH levels of these solutions are usually  too harsh for snakeskin leather care. You can read about pH levels and  leather in our blog “Common Leather Care Mistakes.”  Instead, take a soft cloth and very lightly dampen it. Although snake  scales are naturally water resistant, too much water can sink beneath  the scales, causing the membrane underneath to dry and peel the scales  off. So, keep things moderate. Next, gently wipe your damp cloth in the  direction of the scales. You can determine the direction by feeling the  skin with you finger in a straight line. If the leather feels coarse and  rough, you’re going the wrong way; the natural flow of the scales with  feel smooth to the touch. After you have determined the scale’s coarse  and spread conditioner evenly and thinly over the surface, use a dry  cloth to pick up any remaining moisture. Again, wipe in the direction of  the scales. Always wipe in the direction of the scales. As you are  working with scales, you may find you cloth will not be able to get  everything. In this case, try gently using a bristled brush to get rid  of any dirt embedded between the scales. Sable brushes are particularly  good at this, but use them with care. 

Just Snake Along

After cleaning and drying your snakeskin leather, you’ll also want to  condition it. As before, veer away from commercial cleaners and  products used for smooth leather. These conditioners will often leave  residue that will build up around the base of scales and cause them to  crack or fall off, not to mention potentially discolor them. Instead,  you’ll want to use a conditioning recipe specifically formulated for  reptile and exotic leather. Foamy products work better than liquid and  cream, more easily getting into cracks and crevices. As a rule of thumb,  you should also test any conditioners on your leather in a discreet  area and observe their results after drying before applying them to the  entire item. Use a soft, dry, white cloth for this, and make sure little  or no color is coming off on it, or any other visible side effects. If  you are confident you’ve got the right conditioner, gently apply it  evenly over the surface in thin layers. You know the direction. After  you have covered the surface of the material, wait about fifteen minutes  for the product to dry and buff it off with a cloth. Snakeskin with a  matte finish may not need to be polished after. When you’re working with  a large leather item like a handbag or suitcase, finish one side before  starting another, and give it time to rest after a couple sides to dry  thoroughly and evenly. Additionally, you may want to apply a water  protectant to your snakeskin leather to defend it from water exposure.  Water protectants specifically designed for reptiles work best, and test  before use.