How to Care for Leather Bibles

With proper care, a leather bible can be shared with the whole family.

A leather-bound Bible is something to cherish for many years and can last longer than a lifetime with proper care, even with regular use. Leather-bound Bibles make cherished, memorable keepsakes. Follow a few simple tips and tricks to preserve you leather Bible for years to come; you may even hand it down to a loved one or friend so she may cherish it, too.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Water
• Washcloth
• Fabric Scissors
• Nail polish
• Iron

Instructions

1. Wash your hands with soap and water before handling your leather Bible. Food, grease and dirt can stain the delicate binding and pages.

2. Open your leather Bible carefully; do not force the Bible open or place it face down on a flat surface to open it -- this may break the binding.

3. Release pages that are stuck together by gently rubbing them between your thumb and forefinger to prevent tearing or ripping.

4. Store your leather Bible out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources or water. Store the Bible in an upright position on a bookshelf and keep from packing it too tight, as this can warp the leather.

5. Clean the bible using a damp cotton washcloth. Use water only; soaps with dyes and perfumes can warp leather.

6. Trim the ribbon of your leather Bible with fabric scissors and seal with a thin coat of clear nail polish or press with an iron.

References

• Conservation Register: Care and Conservation of Books
• Cambridge Bibles: About Cambridge Bibles

Resources

• "Choosing a Bible: For Worship, Teaching, Study, Preaching, and Prayer"; Donald Kraus; 2008