Beef leather doesn’t like water at all. Just like human skin. Water dries out leather, causing it to harden, change texture, crack. The best way to maintain and care for a leather product is by using a leather care product. Preferably a balm composed of fat, and beeswax additives. The fat lubricates the leather, and the beeswax then acts as an impregnating filter on the surface. It does not let in as much water. It is therefore best to treat the product with a balm before the first soak. If it does get wet, it is important to let the product dry naturally. Not in the sun, not on the heater, etc. And after such drying, the product needs to be re-impregnated.