Twelve South Blog

How to Properly Care for Your Valet

Valet was designed to be a daily luxury. A few minutes of care each week is all it takes to keep the Nappa leather, cables, and frame looking as refined as the day it arrived.

How to Properly Care for Your Valet

Valet was designed to be a daily luxury. A few minutes of care each week is all it takes to keep the Nappa leather, cables, and frame looking as refined as the day it arrived.

 How to Properly Care for Your Valet

An Everyday Object, Elevated

Valet was never meant to be an ordinary charging stand. It was designed as a genuine piece of decor, crafted from supple Nappa leather and finished with the kind of detail you would expect from a small leather good rather than a tech accessory. It sits on your nightstand or desk every single day, quietly charging your devices, holding your watch overnight, and keeping your keys and wallet in one graceful place.

Because it earns a spot in your everyday view, a little consistent care goes a long way toward keeping that premium look intact for years. The steps below only take a few minutes, and they cover everything from the leather itself to the cables underneath and the frame around it.

Start With Regular Dusting

The easiest habit to build is also the most effective one. Dust Valet regularly with a dry microfiber cloth. This simple step lifts away everyday dust before it has a chance to settle into the grain of the leather, and it takes only a moment.

Treating Light Spots

If you notice a light spot or smudge, unplug Valet first. Slightly dampen a clean microfiber cloth with distilled water, then wipe the area gently. Dry it immediately with a separate dry cloth afterward. Distilled water matters here, since tap water can leave mineral deposits on the leather as it dries.

What to Avoid

Keep chemicals, alcohol wipes, and oily or waxy conditioners away from Valet. Even products marketed as gentle leather care can stain or darken Nappa leather over time. When in doubt, a dry or lightly damp microfiber cloth is the safest choice. It also helps to keep Valet away from direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators or vents, since prolonged heat and UV exposure can fade or dry out fine leather over time.

For Tougher Stains

If a stain does not lift with a damp cloth, resist the urge to experiment with stronger products. Instead, consult a professional leather cleaner who can treat the leather without damaging it.

Do Not Forget the Cable Management Underneath

Part of what makes Valet feel so refined is what you do not see. A hidden cable channel on the underside of the base routes your charging cable cleanly, no matter which of the four orientations you choose. Every so often, unplug Valet, turn it over, and check that channel for dust or buildup, then clear it gently with a dry cloth. Route the cable through the channel rather than letting it dangle or bunch outside the base, and avoid yanking the cord when you unplug it, since pulling from the cable rather than the connector puts unnecessary strain on the port over time. A tidy cable channel is a small detail, but it is exactly the kind of detail that keeps Valet looking as considered from below as it does from above.

Make It Yours With Interchangeable Frames

One of the most distinctive things about Valet is that its frame is interchangeable. Valet is available in a range of base and frame color combinations, and additional frames can be purchased separately, so you can restyle Valet to match a new room, a new season, or simply a new mood without buying an entirely new charger. When you swap a frame, handle both pieces gently and make sure the new frame is fully and evenly seated before use. Clean each frame the same way you clean the base, with a dry or barely damp microfiber cloth, and store any frames you are not using somewhere clean and dry, ideally wrapped in a soft cloth, so they stay in pristine condition until their next appearance.

A Few More Ways to Protect Your Investment

A handful of small habits make a real difference over the life of a premium piece like Valet.

  • Set it on a flat, stable surface rather than the edge of a nightstand or shelf, both for the safety of your devices and to prevent unnecessary stress on the base.
  • Keep Valet away from bathroom counters or other spots where humidity and moisture are common, since leather and moisture rarely mix well.
  • Only charge devices that are compatible with Valet, and avoid overloading the additional USB C port beyond its intended use.
  • Finally, give Valet the occasional full look over, checking the leather, the frame, and the cable channel together, so any small issue gets caught early rather than becoming a bigger one.

Watch It in Action

Learn more about Valet and the cleaning process in this short video.


A Little Care Goes a Long Way

Valet was built to feel like a small luxury you get to enjoy every day, not just another charger on a shelf. With regular dusting, a careful wipe down when needed, a clear cable channel, and a frame that always looks fresh, it will keep charging your devices and elevating your space for years to come. Treat the leather gently, avoid harsh products, restyle it whenever the mood strikes, and call in a professional if a stain ever gets the better of you.

Have questions about caring for your Valet? Our support team at Twelve South is always happy to help.