How to Care for Leather Handbags to Ensure They Last a Lifetime
Once you’ve chosen your perfect leather handbag, you may be wondering how to keep it looking beautiful for as long as possible. A well crafted leather bag is a timeless piece of luxury, a product of beautifully intricate craftsmanship. However, they are a time consuming product to make and in light of this, every effort should be made to care for your leather handbag in the best way possible to protect. Bag care and maintenance is crucial to ensure your bag lasts you a lifetime.
Firstly it is important to know the type of leather your bag is made of, as each will have a specific care routine. At VASH, our bags are all made from either full-grain leather, that has been tanned to ensure durability, leather made with the ‘hair intact’ like shearling , suede or embossed leathers.Â
Full-Grain Leather
Hair Intact or Hide Leather
Croc Embossed Leather
How to Care for Leather Handbag:
USE CLEAN HANDS.
Our hands touch so many things whilst on the go, collecting oils and greases on our daily journey. These are easily absorbed into leather goods and so it is very important to handle your bag with clean hands. Wipe the surface of your leather bag with a slightly damp cloth. Also avoid using too much water when cleaning your handbag: leather is permeable in nature and takes a long time to dry.
APPLY A CLEANER SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR LEATHER.
MOISTURISE YOUR BAG WITH A LEATHER CONDITIONER.Â
Just like our skin, leather gets dry! It is important to moisturise your bag with a good leather conditioner to prevent it from forming deep cracks and keep it supple. Make sure not to use a conditioner on patent leather.
STUFF YOUR UNUSED BAG WITH COTTON BAGS TO RESTORE AND HOLD ITS SHAPE.
Store your leather purse in a natural-fabric pillowcase or VASH care bag. After cleaning the bag, make sure to allow it to fully dry before storing it away to prevent mould growing. Make sure to store the bag in a dark, aerated place. Exposure to the sun is damaging to leather bags and can cause discolouring.
CLEAN SUEDE BAGS WITH A SUEDE BRUSH.
Use a bristle brush to clean off dirt from your handbag. Brush in one direction and make sure not to press too hard as you can scuff the surface. Double check the manufacturer’s suggestions for other cleaning solutions.
Leather bags have been made for centuries, being one of the most durable textiles materials. The upkeep of your leather handbag will make all the difference and ensure its longevity!