Care and Maintenance
Leather Goods & Accessories
(Pouches, Belts, Sheaths, Leather Armour)
- Cleaning: Wipe off mud and dust after each outing with a soft, damp cloth. Never soak leather, and keep household detergents away from it.
- Conditioning: Leather dries and cracks if it's left alone. Work in a leather balm, wax or dubbin every few months, and again after heavy rain, to keep it supple and shed water.
- Drying & Storage: If it gets wet, let it dry slowly at room temperature. Keep it well clear of radiators, fires and direct sun, because heat warps leather and makes it brittle. Store it somewhere cool, dry and airy.
Horn, Bone & Natural Accessories
(Toggles, Powder Horns, Drinking Horns)
- Washing: Wash by hand in warm, soapy water. Keep horn and bone out of the dishwasher and don't leave it soaking.
- Temperature Sensitivity: Keep it away from hot liquids, boiling water and direct heat. Horn can warp, crack or split.
- Conditioning: Now and then, rub in a very small amount of food-safe mineral oil or beeswax to keep the natural lustre and stop it drying out.
Steel & Metal Armour
(Chainmail, Helmets, Plate Armour, Weaponry)
- Rust Prevention: High-carbon steel and iron rust when damp. Keep a thin film of mineral oil, gun oil or 3-in-One on every steel surface, and always before the gear goes into storage.
- Post-Use Cleaning: After an event, wipe the steel down to clear sweat, fingerprints and moisture. Oil it afterwards, not before.
- Removing Surface Rust: Light rust comes off with fine wire wool (0000 grade) or a scouring pad and a little oil. Wipe it clean and oil it again straight away.
- Storage: Keep steel somewhere dry. Don't seal it in plastic bags or airtight tubs, which trap moisture against the metal.
Textiles, Canvas & Gambesons
(Padded Armour, Linen Chemises, Woollen Pouches, Cotton Canvas)
- Washing Instructions:
- Linen & Cotton: Machine wash on a gentle cycle at 30°C with a mild detergent. Dry flat on a line and keep it out of the tumble dryer, which shrinks it.
- Wool & Embroidered Items: Hand wash in cool water with a wool-safe detergent. Press the water out gently and don't wring or twist.
- Heavy Canvas & Padded Gambesons: Spot clean light dirt with a damp cloth and mild soap. For a full clean, hand wash in cold water or send it to a professional dry cleaner.
- Drying: Air dry every textile piece away from strong heat. Lay padded items flat or hang them on sturdy, padded hangers so they keep their shape.
Quick Customer Care Tips
(All products)
Osric's Advice: Never pack kit away damp. Dry every piece through, then bag it or chest it. Damp left in the dark brings mildew on cloth and rust on steel, and I've mended enough of both to say so.