Leather wallets and purses are sleek fashion pieces that ease how people carry small items. I can easily stuff my credit cards, IDs, and other small items into my leather wallets, as they safely hold such items and prevent them from getting lost when placed among larger items.
However, even the best leather wallets can become overstretched with continuous use, causing them to lose their secure hold on my cards and any cash I might be carrying. Nevertheless, I have researched and learned how to shrink leather wallets to achieve a better fit to deal with this occurrence.
I have used this technique to shrink my leather wallets and tighten the credit card slots. So, if you are wondering how to flatten a leather wallet and improve its look, kindly execute the practical leather-shrinking techniques described in this guide.
How to Shrink Leather Wallets Step-by-step
The leather shrinking process is a delicate yet easy process that can help return stretched leather wallets to their original size. While you might be searching for ways to “shrink my leather wallets” on Reddit and other online forums, it would help only employ an effective and safe technique.
The best way out is to use water and slight heat to shrink leather wallets. Just like every other leather accessory, a combination of moisture and subsequent exposure to heat will cause the material to shrink.
Thus, I will reveal how to tighten leather wallets using warm water. Kindly note that this method works for different leather types and should also help shrink leather gloves and bracelets.
Also, the shrinking technique in this guide is cost-effective and very easy to implement. Once you have the required supplies, you can use these techniques to get your favorite wallets back in shape within a day from the comfort of your home.
Looking for how to tighten credit card slots in your leather wallet? Here’s how to go about it.
Supplies Needed
- A sizeable bowl
- Some warm water
- Clean, dry towels
- Leather conditioner
Steps to Follow
Step 1: Start by emptying your wallet to avoid damaging any important cards or items you may have and also enable the water to penetrate the wallet better.
Step 2: Next, pour some water into your preferred bowl – warm water between 100 and 110 °F (36.5 and 40.5 °C) will be enough. Ensure you have enough water in the bowl to submerge the wallet completely.
Step 3: Now, soak the wallet in the water; to get better results, open up the wallet by unfolding it and loosening any zips or straps on the body. Kindly ensure that every part of the leather is under the water surface. Push the wallets with your hands and add some weights to the wallet to prevent the wallet from floating above the water surface.
Step 4: Leave the wallet submerged for about 8 to 10 minutes. You should soak thicker leather wallets for up to 15 or 20 minutes to allow the moisture to saturate the leather thoroughly.
Step 5: After the leather wallet is soaked, please remove it from the water. Remove as much moisture as you can from the wet wallet. Hold it firmly between your hands and gently apply pressure to get the water out. Avoid wringing or crumpling the wallet during this stage. This way, you prevent wrinkles from forming on the surface of the wallet.
Step 6: Next, shape the wet leather wallet. Since the leather has become more malleable and easier to shape when wet, kindly use your hands to shape the pockets of the wallet and the card slots. You can slide coins and cards into the slots on the wallet.
But do not put more than one card into any slot. The wet leather wallet will mold around these inserts and adjust its shape as it dries. Do not stretch, bend or apply excess pressure during this process to prevent the wallet from expanding further.
Step 7: Now, leave the leather wallet to dry. It is best to lay the wallet on a clean, dry surface while drying it. You can lay dry towels over your preferred surface and change them once wet. Avoid leaving the wallet exposed to direct sunlight; find a cool, shaded, and well-ventilated area to dry the leather
If you wish to speed up the drying process, you can use a hand-held hair dryer. Adjust the heat settings to low and hold the dryer at least four inches from the wallet. Move it in gentle circular motions and avoid leaving it in one spot for over 10 seconds.
Step 8: After the wallet is dry, test it to see if the new size fits. If the wallet still feels loose, repeat the process.
Step 9: Once the leather wallets are shrunken to your preferred size, the final step is to condition the leather wallet. This final step is essential because moisture exposure makes shrunken leather wallets feel stiff and brittle. Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently apply the leather conditioner all over the surface of the wallet.
Massage the conditioner into the wallet with your fingers. Ensure you do not apply excessive pressure or stretch the leather during this process. After the conditioner dries, buff the leather to give it a shiny finish.
Tips for Shrinking Leather Wallets
You can take various measures while shrinking your leather wallets to ensure that you avoid ruining your wallet or making a mess in your home.
- Avoid soaking leather wallets in boiling water. The heat might cause the wallet to shrink irreparably and leave the material with many wrinkles.
- You can protect your wooden table tops and floors by spreading a thin plastic sheet over them while soaking or drying your leather wallet. Also, keep dry towels close to deal with spills or water splashes immediately.
- When soaking leather wallets, gently rub your fingers across the surface of the materials. This way, you help the dyes and other preservatives in the material to bleed out. Before doing this, you can wear a pair of latex gloves to keep your hands protected from stains. Also, ensure the wallet has an even tone after the shrinking process.
- Instead of submerging your leather wallets in water, spritz the entire surface with a spray bottle. Go over the entire surface of the wallet till the material is well-soaked. You could also soak the wallet under a running tap or use a water hose. Just ensure the water is warm enough to soak the wallet thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q: Can you shrink a wallet?
You can shrink a leather wallet; one effective technique here is water. Soaking any leather accessory in water and rapidly drying it will cause it to shrink. Real leather contains natural oils and protections that keep the material soft and flexible.
So, when leather gets wet, the water molecules combine with the oils in the leather. As the wet leather dries, these oils escape with the water molecules as they evaporate. This occurrence causes the leather to harden and shrink. But without adequate care, the leather wallet might become too brittle and even start to crack as it dries.
However, you can protect the leather wallet from permanent damage after shrinking it by conditioning the wallet with a suitable leather conditioner.
Q: Can you put a wallet in the dryer?
Putting leather accessories in the dryer is common among a few fashion enthusiasts. However, it is inadvisable to put your wallet in the dryer. The heat from the dryer will cause many wrinkles on the wallet’s surface that may be impossible to straighten out. Excessive heat might also cause the wallet to shrink further in size and become harder.
Besides shrinking the wallet, extreme heat might cause the leather to form lumps or even become unevenly thick across its surface area. Even after washing your leather wallets, please do not put them in a dryer. Instead, leave the wallets to air dry in a shaded and well-ventilated area.
Q: How can I make my leather wallet dry faster?
If you need to quicken or speed up the drying process of your wallet, the best way to achieve this feat is by placing some old newspaper inside the wet wallet. The paper soaks up the moisture as the wallet dries and helps to flatten it. However, you would need to change the papers intermittently as they soak up the moisture.
Alternatively, you can use cat litter to soak up the moisture from wet leather wallets and make them dry faster. Fill a thin sock or any other suitable fabric with cat litter and gently place it in the wallet. You could also wrap the wet leather with a thin piece of fabric and drop it into a cat litter bucket.
Q: Can you dry a leather wallet in a microwave?
Microwaves are unsafe for leather wallets. While the microwave heat can help eliminate the excess moisture, there is a severe risk of damage to your wallet. You might end up with a cooked wallet if you choose to microwave it.
Instead of using a microwave, using a hair dryer set on low heat is safer. Nevertheless, the best way to dry wet leather wallets remains to air dry them in a shaded and well-ventilated space.
Q: How can I reduce my wallet in bulk?
You can reduce the bulk of your wallet in several steps. You can start by sorting out the essentials from items you no longer need. Get rid of old receipts, tickets, and outdated bills.
If you need to save them for the future, make digital copies of such items with your phone or store them in a separate box. You could also reduce the number of items you hold in your wallet by planning your day. This way, you ensure that you only carry the essentials that you need inside your wallet.
Q: How do I simplify my wallet?
You can reduce the pressure on your wallet by simplifying it with these simple steps. Carry only as many credit or debit cards as you need. Ideally, you should have five cards with you at any time – two payment cards, an ID card, a business card, and any other membership card you need.
Additionally, you can keep some spare cash in your wallet, say twenty bucks or so, in case you need to make any cash payments during your day. You could further simplify your wallet by going for a minimalist wallet instead of the conventional bifold or trifold wallets.
Final Words
Leather wallets work best by providing a secure hold for any cards, cash, or other items you put in them. This way, you can safely carry small items about without misplacing them. Loose leather wallets do not provide this security, and you could even find yourself stranded if your card slips out of your wallet. The best way to get around this problem is by shrinking the leather wallets.
Thus, I have revealed an effective technique in this guide for DIYers looking for how to shrink leather wallets. But while at this, you must avoid damaging this leather piece. Also, you should repeat the shrinking process a few times before you get the desired result. If your leather wallet still feels too loose after three shrinking attempts, consider getting a smaller wallet.
