Extending the life of your Hobonichi Techo cover

As something that accompanies you on a daily basis, the Hobonichi Techo cover is prone to build up grime and marks from constant use. While these signs of use are proof of love and companionship, we understand the desire to keep your cover as close as possible to how it looked the day you first got it. So we've gathered information for you to keep in mind when using and cleaning your cover.

Things to know before using your techo cover

Here are some basic tips to know beforehand when using your cover.

Avoid storing in hot and humid places.

Storing the cover in heat and humidity can cause the colors and material to warp. Please avoid leaving it in these conditions.

Avoid water or strong rubbing.

Letting a cover sit wet or applying too much force when rubbing the material can cause the colors to fade or stain. Avoid washing the cover in water or dry cleaning, as the material can wrinkle or distort.

Use waterproof spray to prevent grime and stains.

Spraying your cover with a water-repellant protectant spray will protect your cover from getting wet or becoming dirty. Please choose your spray type carefully, as there are separate types for leather, fabric, and so on. You can purchase waterproof spray for leather covers in the Hobonichi Store.

Note about polyester covers:

The Cover on Cover plastic sleeve is great for protecting your cover against grime and spills.

Note about leather covers:

You can find more information on caring for your cover in the “Preparing your leather cover before use” section on this page.

Cleaning your cover

We've divided cleaning tips based on cover material, so please see the corresponding section for cleaning your cover.

[1] Polyester Covers

About the material
Includes Colors, Print Covers, Weeks Bow&Tie series, and more.

The synthetic material in these covers is relatively strong compared to other types, so wiping the cover down with a soft, dry cloth once in a while would be enough. Rubbing the material may generate slight static electricity.

Cleaning the material
  1. Wet a clean cloth with water (or water diluted with neutral detergent) and wring out excess water.
  2. Gently tap the cover with the damp cloth.
  3. Place the cover in a shady area with good ventilation so it can dry.
  • First test an inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire cover.
  • Avoid using a hair dryer or laundry dryer as this may shrink or distort the material.
  • Avoid using such extra-strength volatile detergents as benzene and thinners as these may distort the colors of the cover.

The Cover on Cover clear plastic sleeve is great for protecting your cover against grime and spills.

[2] Natural Fiber Covers

About the material
Cotton
Includes Jess and Jean, jelly, and more.

The tips of the fibers are soft, giving the cover a cushioning effect that's wonderful to the touch. Because the cotton absorbs liquid, it's possible for mold to grow on a wet cover.

Linen
Includes go!, Capel, and more.

This breathable material easily absorbs liquids and easily dries. It's also strong against bugs. Scrubbing the material may damage the weave and cause fluffing, making the material look white.

Wool
Includes Royal Stewart, Dress Gordon, and more.

This elastic material is popular for its water-repellant and heat-absorbing qualities. Scrubbing the material may cause it to pill.

  • These natural fiber covers contain dye that stains easily upon use. Please use caution if the cover gets wet, as the darker colors are especially prone to run or stain.
Cleaning the material
  1. Wet a clean cloth with water diluted with neutral detergent and wring out all excess water.
  2. Gently tap the cover with the damp cloth.
  3. Place the cover in a shady area with good ventilation so it can dry.
  • First test an inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire cover.
  • Avoid using such extra-strength volatile detergents as benzene and thinners as these may distort the colors of the cover.

[3] Leather Covers

About the material
Includes Rosso, Henry Cuir series, ARTS&SCIENCE series, and more.

With daily use, leather takes on a unique appearance based entirely on its user. This includes constant exposure to the oil from your hands and a sheen that comes from exposure to the sun. Cleaning the leather cover on a regular basis includes a simple wipe-down with a soft, dry cloth. If the leather gets wet, quickly pat it with a dry cloth to absorb the liquid and place the cover in a shady area with good ventilation so it can dry.

Cleaning the material
  1. Use a cleaning brush to wipe away dust and particles from the surface.
  2. Rub a small, pea-sized amount of lotion into a soft cloth and lightly apply it to the entire cover.
  3. Use a glove cloth or other soft, dry cloth to wipe the entire cover and evenly distribute the lotion. This will give the cover a soft gloss.
  • First test an inconspicuous area before cleaning the entire cover.
Preparing your leather cover before use

Leather care expert Nimura from R&D Co., Ltd tells us about pretreating leather covers before use.

Oftentimes, brand new leather covers have "dry skin" by the time they reach you. The first step in caring for your cover is to moisturize it with a nourishing cream designed for leather. This helps protect your cover against damage so you're not simply treating it after the damage is done. Leather care products you can buy in the Hobonichi Online Store include "Delicate Cream," which moisturizes the leather, and the follow-up treatment, "Essential Cream," which finishes it up with a shine. Each product has a slightly different effect on the leather, so you can use them in order, or you can choose to use only one or the other. Waterproof spray is best used after the leather has already been moisturized.

Henry Cuir leather cover maintenance

If you're in Japan, you can bring your Henry Cuir cover into any of the Henry Cuir shops (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nagoya) and they will clean up your cover for free. Maintenance is done on a walk-in basis, so bring your cover directly to any of the shops listed in the link below (Japanese only).
http://www.henrycuir.jp/shops/

[4] Faux Leather Interiors

About the material
Includes go!, jelly, Jess and Jean, Capel, and more.

The faux leather included in several techo covers is more resilient against water and scratches compared to genuine leather, but because the surface contains a resin coating, it may become sticky or peel after several years of use. Wiping away grime from the material once it becomes dirty will help protect your cover.

Cleaning the material
  1. Wet a clean cloth with water diluted with a small amount of neutral detergent and wring out all excess water.
  2. Gently tap the cover with the damp cloth.
  3. Repeat with another clean cloth dampened only with water, again with a tapping motion. (Leftover detergent on the surface can make the material more vulnerable to damage.)
  4. Place the cover in a shady area with good ventilation so it can dry.

[5] Silicon Covers

About the material
Includes SSACK

This silicon is incredibly resilient--it's elastic, strong, retains its original shape, and can withstand water and strong impact. But because the material is prone to static electricity, it collects dust easily.

  • The Hobonichi Mini Tissue Holder is made of the same silicon material as the SSACK covers.
Cleaning the material
  1. Wet a clean cloth or sponge with water diluted with a small amount of neutral detergent and wring it out.
  2. Gently wipe the cover with the cloth or sponge.
  3. Wipe the cover with a dry cloth.
  4. Place the cover in a shady area with good ventilation so it can dry.
  • When a silicon cover is especially dirty, you can empty it out and wash the entire thing in water. After washing it with a sponge and soapy water with a neutral detergent, please allow the cover to fully dry.
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