How to Clean and Organize a Leather or Fabric Wallet

In order to clean your wallet, you’ll need to empty it first. Open every pocket and reach into every fold, fishing out every coin and every crumpled receipt. And while you’re at it, a little decluttering won’t hurt either. Chances are, your wallet is filled with expired coupons and gift cards, and you don’t even know it.

To begin, lay out the contents of the wallet on a table, then proceed to separate everything into categories: cash, cards, driver’s license or other documents, coupons and gift cards, and receipts. You may also have a miscellaneous category with small keepsakes and photos.

Cash

Start by separating coins from paper money. Organize the bills by denomination into a neat stack - starting from the smallest bills on top to the biggest denomination on the bottom. Set it aside. 

Place all the extra coins in a jar or a piggy bank. After a few cleanups like this one, you’ll have enough coins to take to the bank and exchange them for cash.

Cards

Divide the cards you’re carrying into two categories:

• Those you need every day, like your health insurance card, work-related identification cards, and the payment cards you use the most. These should be the first cards to make it back into your wallet.
• Optional cards include “emergency” credit cards, library cards, membership cards, and business cards. Most people don’t use these daily, so if storage space in your wallet is sparse, you can easily keep some of them in a designated spot at home.

Most cards can be safely disinfected by gently wiping them down with a soft cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Receipts

Discard receipts that are older than 90 days. If you collect receipts for tax purposes, transfer them to a folder and store them at home.

Coupons and Gift Cards

Look through these, one by one. Discard any expired coupons and gift cards right away. As for reward cards, think about which ones you use or don’t use. Avoid carrying cards you haven’t used for months - they only take up space in your wallet and make it more difficult to find necessary cards when you need them.

Set all the items you intend to fit into your wallet in a box (for now). You’ll be able to arrange them after cleaning.

Wait! Don’t chuck your wallet into the washing machine. No matter what your wallet is made of - leather, fabric, or synthetic materials - it will not keep its shape after laundry, even on the delicate wash setting. Prepare to work with your hands and save a good 24+ hours for your wallet to fully dry before using it again.

The cleaning technique and supplies largely depend on the material your wallet is made of. Find yours below and follow the steps:

• Leather and faux leather wallets
• Suede Wallets
• Fabric Wallets.

Note: if your wallets are made of several different materials, each detail ought to be cleaned individually.

Leather Wallet

A high-quality leather wallet can last a lifetime, but it does involve regular upkeep. Cleaning a leather wallet requires two products: soap and conditioner. Saddle soap, simple glycerin soap, or a dedicated leather cleaner all do the job well. 

As for a conditioner, it’s best to use a dedicated leather softener or leather restorer. This product will protect the leather from damage and keep it soft, supple, and shiny for years. 

To prepare a natural homemade leather conditioner, combine 1/2 tablespoon melted beeswax, 1/2 tablespoon melted coconut oil, and 2 tablespoons olive oil (or sweet almond oil) until fully blended. Wait for it to cool before using it.

To clean a leather wallet, follow these steps:

1. Take a damp cloth and dip it in a leather cleaner. Using circular motions, work the soap into the leather. Avoid adding too much soap and water because you will not rinse it off. To get to every nook and work around fine details, use a cotton bud dipped in soap.
2. Wipe down the wallet inside and out. Continue cleaning until the cloth no longer picks up any grime.
3. Close the wallet, wrap it in a clean towel, and let it dry overnight. Avoid drying it in the sun or under direct heat, as this will warp and stiffen the leather.
4. Apply a tiny amount of leather conditioner on a cloth and work the product into the leather in circular motions. It will take a few minutes to fully absorb.
5. Take a dry cloth and buff the leather. This final step will soak up any excess conditioner and give the wallet an even shinier appearance.

See how this technique looks in action in the video below: 

The same technique can be used to clean a faux wallet. Keep in mind, however, that the leather conditioner will not be as readily absorbed by faux leather, so you’ll need to use a tiny amount.

Suede wallets are less common than leather ones because this delicate material is more susceptible to wear and tear. That being said, suede details on leather wallets are not uncommon, and they do require a different approach when cleaning.

For cleaning suede, you will need a suede brush or a suede eraser. These tools clean the suede and restore the original suede texture, even in spots that look glossy or matted down. A specialized suede cleaner and conditioner are also necessary. These typically come in sprays or foams, and they are very different from your leather care products. All of these products are easily accessible in stores.

To clean a suede wallet, follow these steps:

1. Begin by brushing a dry suede wallet with a brush. Be gentle and focus on the areas with the most wear and tear - usually the corners and folds.
2. If there are any matted areas or stains, rub them with the suede eraser using short and firm motions.
3. For persistent stains, spray the suede cleaner onto the stain and work it in with a dry clean cloth. Wait for it to dry completely.
4. Once the wallet is dry, it may be rather stiff. This is normal. Spray the conditioner and work it with a dry clean cloth to soften the suede. Let it dry completely.
5. As a final step, brush the suede again to restore its texture and soften it up even more.

Wallets made of fabric, be it canvas or twill, can be just as reliable and sturdy as leather wallets, and they tend to be less expensive too. Cleaning a fabric wallet requires a few supplies, namely a toothbrush, a soft-bristled brush, paper towels, and a gentle fabric cleaner. The easiest cleaner to use is an upholstery foam cleaner because it easily penetrates the fibers and doesn’t leave behind white stains.

The same technique can be used to clean a nylon wallet.

To clean a fabric wallet, follow these steps:

1. Spray the cleaner onto a dry wallet and work it in using a toothbrush. Focus on the areas that are the grimiest, go over them several times if necessary.
2. Blot the foam off with paper towels. You will see brown or grey stains on the towels. This means that it’s working.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the paper towels are clean. Blot as much of the cleaner as you can, firmly pressing against the fabric.
4. Close the wallet and let it dry overnight in its natural shape.
5. When fully dry, go over the fabric with a soft-bristled brush.

Watch this epic wallet restoration video to see this technique in action:

Your wallet looks as good as new, and you’re eager to use it. How exciting! You already know how to keep your cash organized, and you hopefully whittled down the number of cards and papers that go in the wallet too, so your wallet looks much neater too. Now, let’s learn to keep it organized for good.

First and foremost, avoid stashing notes with phone numbers and shopping lists in your wallet. This is sure to fill your wallet with clutter in no time. Instead, we highly recommend creating shopping lists and saving phone numbers directly on your smartphone.

Speaking of smartphones, there are several apps that can help minimize the number of coupons and gift cards in your wallet.

• CardStar is a free iPhone app that allows you to save loyalty and rewards cards - no physical cards needed.
• Key Ring is another free app that stores loyalty coupons, offers, and even library cards and grocery lists on your smartphone.
• Last but not least, remember to clean your wallet twice a year. To do so, just save this guide and follow it step by step in the future. Easy-peasy!