3 Steps to Properly Care for Your Leather Bag

This guide will provide you with tips to ensure your investment will last and you'll have a soft, reliable leather handbag for years to come. Your top 3 concerns ought to be cleaning, conditioning, and storing your bag. Here are a few tips we’ve learned along the way:

 

1. CLEAN 

 

Be sure you’re cleaning your leather bag with clean hands. Leather bags are susceptible to absorbing grease and oil. Do a quick cleaning every other day, briskly sweeping your leather bag with a soft, dry, or slightly damp cloth. (Do not use too much water; leather takes time to dry.) Once or twice a year, do a more thorough cleaning to remove dirt buildup. Wipe down your leather bag with a cleaner made specifically for leather. Apply in a circular motion, and wipe off with a slightly damp cloth to avoid clogging the pores of the leather. 

 

2. CONDITION 

 

Leather conditioner is like a moisturizer for your leather bag. Without it, the leather will dry out over time. To prevent flaking and wrinkling, apply a leather conditioner to a soft cloth and gently rub over the entire bag. Depending on the dryness or humidity in your climate, apply conditioner at least twice a year, up to once a month or so, to keep your leather bag soft and supple.

 

3. STORE 

 

Stuff your leather handbag with bubble wrap or parchment paper (but not a newspaper, as it will smear) to restore and hold its shape. Place your stuffed leather bag in its original dust bag, and then store it in its original box, along with silica gel packets to avoid dampness. Air your leather bag once every two weeks to prevent mold growth.