Preserve Your Investment: Our Guide to Caring for Your Leather Bags
A leather handbag is a wardrobe essential, serving as a staple in your rotation day in, day out. However, these luxurious accessories require proper care and maintenance if you want them to keep looking their best for years to come. Here, we'll break down our top tips and tricks for caring for your arm candy at home.
1. Understanding Your Leather
Not all leather is the same, and each different type needs specific care to maintain its appearance, as well as its durability.
The most durable leathers are cowhide, full-grain leather, which develops a beautiful patina over time, and goat leather, which is highly valued for its scratch-resistance. Calfskin is also known for its durability, but has a softer, finer finish than the rest. Then comes lambskin, which is soft, smooth, and fine-textured, but is susceptible to scratches. Similarly, suede leather is prized for its soft, velvety feel, but also known for its sensitivity to stains. Patent leather, on the other hand, is easy to clean and water-resistant, but be warned: it can crack if it's not properly conditioned. Finally, exotic leathers are some of the most unique and luxurious, but they can be very fragile and do require special care.
Identifying your handbag's leather type means you'll be able to give it the correct care and prevent damage in the long-term. If you're unsure, always consult a professional.
2. Cleaning Your Leather Bag
Building good cleaning habits is essential for helping your handbag maintain its appearance.
Cleaning your bag regularly, even if it doesn't look dirty, helps maintain its condition and prevents dust from setting into the leather. For bags you use frequently, cleaning them every few days or after each outing will help protect them from wear and tear.
One simple but effective trick is to clean your bag regularly with a soft, dry cloth, such as a chamoisine, to remove surface dust, dirt, and fingerprints. This prevents grime from building up, which can dull the leather's natural sheen over time. A soft brush is also useful for cleaning hard-to-reach areas like seams and creases, where dust tends to accumulate.
Remember to avoid applying too much pressure when you're cleaning so you don't stress the material. Regular professional cleaning can also help maintain the bag's condition and prolong its lifespan.
By incorporating these cleaning habits into your daily routine, you'll keep your leather handbag looking fresh, reduing the need for more intensive (and expensive) cleaning treatments.
3. Handbag Maintenance Habits
Another way to help maintain your handbag is to moisturise it, which keeps the leather supple and nourished. Just like skin, leather needs hydration to stay soft and flexible, preventing it from drying and cracking. Regularly applying a colourless leather moisturiser or nourishing cream will keep it's finish in good condition.
Choose a high-quality, colourless product designed for leather to avoid staining or discolouration, as some products with added pigments can alter the leather's appearance. Start by placing a small amount on a soft, lint-free cloth, and make sure to test it on an inconspicuous area first–like the inside or edge of the bag–to make sure it doesn't affect the colour or texture of the leather.
Once tested, gently work the cream into the leather using circular motions, ensuring even coverage, especially on high-wear areas like handles or corners. Avoid applying too much pressure to prevent damaging the surface. After the cream absorbs, use a dry, clean cloth to remove any excess and let the leather dry naturally in a cool, dry place, away from heat or sunlight.
If you're unsure when choosing the appropriate products for your handbag's maintenance, always consult a professional.
*Vestiaire collective is not responsible for any damage and/or deterioration that may result from the maintenance of items purchased on vestiairecollective.com.
4. Storing Your Leather Bag
When you're not using your handbag, it's crucial to store it in a cool, dry place to preserve its integrity. Leather is a natural material that can be sensitive to environmental factors like heat, moisture, and light, so it's important to protect them from these elements.
Always store your bag in its original protective dust bag to shield it from dust, dirt, and other contaminants. If possible, place the bag in a box to provide an extra layer of protection. Storing it in a cupboard or drawer is the best way to keep the leather from drying out, discolouring, or cracking over time.
To help your handbag retain its shape, store it empty and stuff it with tissue paper, cotton, or a soft cloth. This will stop the bag from becoming misshapen while in storage. Avoid using newspaper to stuff it, as the ink can transfer onto the leather or lining and cause stains.
5. Addressing Common Issues
Even with the best care, leather handbags can develop issues over time, including stains, scratches, and loss of shape.
The best solution for stains is to prevent them altogether, so always store cosmetics, pens, and other potential stain-causing items in a pouch or protective case. For recent, superficial stains, gently wipe the affected area with a soft, slightly damp cloth using circular motions.
For superficial scratches or scuffs, apply a small amount of leather nourishing cream with a soft cloth. This can help minimise the scratch and moisturise the area. Be cautious though, as rubbing too hard could damage the leather and alter its texture. Always test your cream on a small area first to ensure it won't cause discolouration.
If stains are stubborn, such as make up, ink, or grease marks, or scratches are too deep to fix at home, take your handbag to a professional leather specialist instead.
If your handbag has just lost its shape, stuff it with tissue paper or a handbag shaper to restore its form. Avoid overstuffing the bag, as this can stretch the leather. Regularly rotating between bags can also help prevent excessive wear on a single one.
6. Enjoying Your Bag for Years to Come
Caring for your leather handbag isn't just about preserving its beauty, its also about sustainability. The fashion industry is a significant contributor to environmental waste, and extending the life of your leather goods helps reduce this impact. By investing in high-quality handbags and taking proper care of them, you're making a conscious choice to support sustainable fashion practices.
Buying a pre-loved leather bag with Vestiaire Collective helps give new life to beautiful items that would otherwise go to waste. Vestiaire Collective offers a wide range of pre-loved luxury and designer bags, and offers thorough authentication services to give you greater peace of mind. Plus, you can extend the life of your own bags by selling the ones you no longer wear with us, contributing to the circular economy and supporting a more sustainable future for fashion.
All authentication services are performed independently by Vestiaire Collective.