Product Care
Advice on how to care for your purchase.
If you're looking for classic, stylish, & durable bags or other products, think leather. While they may cost a little extra, good-quality leather goods can stay looking brand new for years if you care for them correctly. Proper care prevents the leather from drying out & cracking. It also protects it from excessive moisture, which can cause the hide to swell or mildew. A good quality leather product is an investment, so this guide will provide you with tips to ensure that it remains soft & supple for years to come.Things you may need
- Leather cleaner
- Leather conditioner
- Bubble wrap
- Dust bag or light coloured pillowcase
- Tissue paper
- Soft cotton cloths
- Suede brush
- White chalk powder
- Mild perfume-free soap.
Handle leather products with clean hands.
Leather bags are susceptible to absorbing grease & oils therefore, you should only use the recommended cleaning products & never touch your leather product straight after you've moisturized your hands. Before you use any cleaning products on your bag, wipe the exterior surface with a damp white cotton cloth. But be careful not to use too much water because, like most things leather takes time to dry.
Apply a cleaner specifically made for leather.
Once the exterior surface of your bag is dry, apply a small amount of mild, perfume-free soap to a soft white cloth. Rub the cloth over the soiled area gently in a circular motion, then wipe off with another clean, soft, slightly damp cloth so as not to clog the pores of the hide. Applying the mild soap one or two times a year should keep your leather bag clean.
Moisturize your bag with a leather conditioner to keep it supple.
Never use a leather conditioner on patent leather, oiled leather, or suede. For regular or natural leather, always test the conditioner on a small inconspicuous section, such as under a flap or on the bottom of your bag.
Remove stains as soon as you notice them.
Organic stains from food or blood can often be removed with chalk powder. Crush some white chalk to a coarse powder then let the powder sit on the stain overnight. The next day, dust it off with a clean cloth.
Hairspray sprayed on a pen mark will bleed the ink to fade it, clean with a leather conditioner afterward. Be careful not to rub too hard as it may take the colour off the leather. Hairspray also works on vinyl & vegan leather bags. But again, test all cleaning products on an inconspicuous area of the bag first.
If you're going to store your bag long-term, filling it with bubble wrap will help maintain its shape.
You can also hang your bag on a hook in a dry room as long as it isn't positioned in direct sunlight. Alternatively, you can store your item in a dry, well-ventilated cupboard or wardrobe, so long as it is isn't prone to mildew or moisture of any sort. It may also pay to purchase some moisture beads or some other product that helps reduce moisture in the air. Begin by placing your leather bag in a dust bag or a pillowcase made from natural fibres like cotton, linen or, bamboo. Wrap any metal parts in clean, acid-free tissue paper or the thin, lightweight foam sheets used for packing fragile items. If you’ve just cleaned the bag, allow it to air dry completely before storage. If you’re storing it long-term, ease open the buckles & straps, so that impressions are not pressed into the leather. These simple steps will help toward the longevity of your bag regardless of whether it's made from leather or a synthetic material.
Clean your suede bags with a suede brush.
Double-check the manufacturer’s suggestions for other cleaning solutions. Sometimes, a clean pink eraser can remove small spots from leather.
- Think about using a leather-specific protective spray for brushed or finished leather if you use your bag frequently. Test this product first in an inconspicuous area to see if the finish darkens.
- Keep cosmetics inside a pouch or cosmetic bag. Cap all pens & anything that leaks, including perfume as some are oil-based. A small pencil case or cosmetic bag is ideal for storing small items, especially anything sharp. This simple, inexpensive step will go a long way toward protecting the leather from unnecessary damage.
- White bags will yellow or naturally darken with age, so please consider this before you buy your bag.
- Avoid cleaning products containing alcohol, turpentine, or other mineral spirits as they will discolour & dry out leather.
- Never allow water to soak into your bag. If the bag gets wet, do not use a hair-dryer on it. Instead, absorb as much water as possible with a thick microfiber hand towel & allow the bag to air dry naturally. Then, condition it again & store it according to the instructions above.
- Take extra special care of your bag at hair salons & keep it away from colouring solutions, hair sprays, & other hair products.
- Waxes or silicone products clog up leather pores & may render them unable to be cleaned in the future.
If you have any questions regarding the care of your product, please call us, we are here to help.