So you have been carrying you leather bag DAILY since 2015, because, you know, we make the best leather bags in the world. You want this bag to last forever, so you reckon that maybe cleaning a leather bag is not too difficult and here you are. You are right; its not hard and at some point is needed to maintain its elegant high end designer bag look that you signed up for.
Leather is just like your skin; a little TLC goes a long way.
Of course you could also just send it to use and we will do the honors but nonetheless, here's a beginners guide on how to clean your leather bag right at home.
I am urged to say that you should never put your leather bag in a washing machine if you have plans of using it again. Similarly, please, do not iron your leather bag!
Remember, different types of leather and that requires different care methods.
Always do a spot clean first ideally under the bag or a hidden spot.
Let us start with cleaning suede (do not panic) because that is the easiest. Suede ironically gets dirty the fastest so it seems fair that its easiest to clean. PHWEKS!! You need a suede cleaner from your local store and honestly, I have found that most suede cleaners work from the store just fine. So, have a go!
Full-grain leather and top-grain leather; smooth, embossed or pebbled, things gets a little more intense although it takes longer for these articles to get dirty. Unless of course you are dealing with a courageous color like white.
Frankly, it you have ever put your bag on the floor, thrown it on the car boot or forgot to stuff it and put in the nice fabric tote bags we always send you with as packaging before storing it, you should be afraid of the lighter color leathers. By the way, can we stalk about how the packing bags are spotted more in the stores and in offices than the actual bags they carried from our store?! Okay, I digress.
Preparation:
- Find a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or soft sponge. I usually get something from the store.
- Find a leather cleaner and a leather conditioner. Check out reviews and make you purchase. We will be offering some leather cleaning products by the end of the year so stay tuned!
- You can also use gentle dish soap and warm water. Frankly, this my preferred method because I always have a gentle dish soap and warm water handy. At the end of the day, leather is good old skin.
- Empty the bag and shake the bag to remove loose debris .If your bag is heavily soiled - (did Rhino charge happen?). Consider testing an inconspicuous area as agreed before.
- Use a soft brush or cloth to very gently, avoiding scratching, wipe away anything that can be brushed away.
- If you have a stain or spot, follow the instructions of the bottle of the commercial leather cleaner. If you are using the home solution, jump right into the next step.
- Dampen a soft cloth or sponge with the leather cleaner, and gently blot the stained area. Never rub vigorously, as this could damage the leather.
- If its a pen mark, I am sorry to say that you might be stuck with that. Do you know of a good pen mark remover on leather? Please share with us.
- For regular cleaning, I just try and condition my bags consistently. However, you can make a mild solution by mixing a small amount of soap with water warm water and gently wipe away with a damp cloth.
- Never dry your bag in from direct sunlight or heat sources. I find leaving them in a dry room usually does the trick. No hair drier DIY tricks either. I usually try and condition the bag just before it gets completely dry to try and keep some of the suppleness.
- Apply a small amount of conditioner to a clean cloth and gently massage it onto the leather in circular motions. Allow the conditioner to be absorbed for a few hours or as per the product instructions.
- Wipe off any excess conditioner with a clean cloth.
- When not using your leather bag, store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid hanging it for prolonged periods, as this could cause the bag to lose its shape.
- Stuff the bag with tissue paper or a soft cloth to help it maintain its shape.
- Consider using a leather protector or water repellent spray to help prevent stains and water damage. Always test the product on a small, hidden area first.
- Keep the bag away from sharp objects, rough surfaces, and direct sunlight to prevent scratches and fading.
- For your lining, a home dryer liquid is perfect but good old warm water and soap will do just as fine. We use the finest bag linings so our linings can handle a good wipe down.
