How to Care for a Moleskine

Moleskine has become a personal organizing brand that has developed a devoted following since their establishment.

Moleskine notebooks have become key tools for designers, writers, artists and managers alike as creative outlets, personal planners and organizers to aid everyday activities and tasks. Moleskine notebooks have vinyl-treated, leathery covers that can get damaged, so care and upkeep might be necessary to keep your notebook looking clean, professional and well cared for.

Instructions

1. Carry your Moleskine in smaller, fitted pockets, such as your jacket or purse, to lengthen its lifespan. Jostling it in a large bag or sitting with it in your back pocket will cause wear and tear not only on the cover, but could rip pages or break the binding.

2. Consider buying or making a sleeve to protect the over and page edges of your Moleskine. Use a soft fabric that fits your notebook well. If you don't want to sew a custom sleeve, you can simply wrap the fabric around your notebook. Just make sure there is enough fabric to keep the Moleskine covered or you have an elastic band or ribbon to keep the fabric around the Moleskine. Some people have used Ziploc bags, plastic bags, pillow cases and other makeshift sleeves to protect their notebooks.

3. Fit the elastic around the cover and pages to keep your notebook closed and reduce wear when you're not using your Moleskine. This will keep dirt and stray marks from getting on the pages, as well as reduce the chance of water getting on the pages and possibly causing your pages to wrinkle and your ink to run.

4. Use glue to repair a detached cover. If your cover has become detached from the pages or pages detached from each other; apply PVA glue or paste along the binding's edge. Allow the glue to dry on the pages before setting the glue on the back of the cover, and then let the glue set and dry for at least a day before trying to open and use your Moleskine again.

5. Clean your Moleskine. If the cover has become dirty, it can be cleaned with a simple low-pH cleanser that is balanced for leather, such as Lexol-pH which can be purchased online.

6. Be sure to write your name and address on the inside cover of your notebook so someone can find you and return your notebook if you lose it.

Tips & Warnings

• When repairing books, it is best to use an acid-free glue such as PVA. Acids will weaken the paper and discolor with age.

References

• Jamie Butler; 'THE BASIC BINDING OF BOOKS: A TUTORIAL'; 2009
• MothTeeth; 'How to Make a Simple Hardcover Book'; 2010
• SicPress.com; 'Leather Care'; 14 July 2011

Resources

• Moleskine Legendary Notebooks