FINE LEATHER BAGS DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH CARE.
HERE’S HOW TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT PIECE IN FIVE EASY STEPS
Leather bags and products are organic artefacts, and as lustrous as your new purchases may be, they will, when left to their own devices, become desiccated and dull. That is why maintenance of your leather bags and other small accoutrements is so crucial, if you want to enjoy them for as long as possible. Here’s how you should know if you want to take proper care of your specific leather carrier.
KNOW YOUR SKINS
– Most leather bags are vegetable-tanned with tannin. Keep away from direct contact with water wherever possible.
– Chrome-tanned skins are more water-resistant, and are referred to in trade-speak as “wet blue” for their steel-gray tinge.
– Full-grain is premium-grade hide that has not been buffed, to showcase the skin’s natural “grain” or texture.
– Top-grain: less dear on your wallet, this is thinner and has had its natural grain “corrected’ by sanding away scars.
– Coveted exotics from non-cattle skin and patent leather, with its high gloss achieved by oils and resin, are just two other examples of the other finishes and leather types available on the market today.
Leather is animal hide, usually sourced from cattle, that has been tanned to make it flexible and durable. The color in leather, such as that of these document holders, typically involves an aniline-dye, which saturates the skin in pigment while retaining its beautiful natural grain.
HOW TO CLEAN
– The general principle is simple: remove dirt build-up by wiping down with a cleaner made specifically for the leather in question.
– Remember the hardware. Some bags have precious metal-plated buckles or chains, which may require the occasional touch up as well.
– Every other day, give your bag a brisk sweep with a soft dry cloth—this won’t take more than a few minutes, but will go miles towards preserving the appearance of your leather.
HOW TO CONDITION
– Think of conditioning as moisturizer for your leather, which will dry out over time. To prevent flaking and wrinkling, dab a dollop of conditioner on a soft cloth and rub gently all over.
– Condition every month or so to keep your leather looking its shiny best.
HOW TO WEATHERPROOF
– Leather is permeable and can never be entirely waterproof, so avoid toting your favorite bag in bad weather. Nonetheless, there are beeswax creams which function as a barrier against water.
– Word of caution: beeswax may alter the hue of dyed leather, so test first on an inconspicuous corner.
– A more breathable but less effective alternative: a spray protectant, which is virtually invisible on your bags.
HOW TO STORE
– Place your bag in its original dustbag and fill it with stuffing—use
butter paper, never newspaper, which will smear— to maintain its shape.
– Keep the dustbagged product in its original box, along with packets of silica gel so your bag doesn’t get damp.
– Air once every two weeks to halt the growth of mold.
– Rotation is key. Everyday use of your bag will wear it out, so switch things up every month.
SOME FINAL TIPS
– Let water spills dry naturally. High-heat measures like using a hairdryer will only cause the skin to crinkle beyond salvage.
– Prevent color transfer by consciously resisting the urge to rest your bag against your jeans.
