How to Clean and Protect Leather Bags at Home
When you invest and buy a quality leather bag, you're not just acquiring a fashion accessory, but you will also be adopting a legacy of true craftsmanship and style. Your Bag will age gracefully, exude elegance, patina, and it will become a go-to choice for your carry needs. But to keep your Leather Bag in top condition follow our 7 tips on how to clean and protect leather bags at home.
Based on my travels with my favourite Leather Bag, I found that to keep my bag in top condition (and make it last) I needed to look after it. If you too have invested money in a quality leather bag or bags, you will want to look after them. I found you can clean and protect your leather bag at home, without the need for professional restorers – unless you have damaged it beyond home repair.
So, how do you clean and protect leather handbags at home? Here are my Top 7 tips for you.
1. Have a Cleaning Routine For Your Leather Bag
Regular cleaning is the key to looking after your bag. Every time you use your bag, make it a habit to gently wipe over your bag with a soft, damp cloth at the end of each day. This will help to remove the dust and fine airborne dirt your bag will have picked up. This is especially true if you are in a busy city environment.
But, be Gentle, as you do not want to turn any particles into a fine gritty paste that scratches and damages the leather. The discipline of giving your bag a sympathetic wipe will prevent grime from settling into the pores of the leather and will prolong your bags life.
2. Choose Quality Leather Cleaning Products and Accessories
You have invested in a premium Leather Bag. As such you want to treat it with quality leather cleaning and conditioning products. After All you would not put cheap engine oil into a Ferrari. Choose cleaning products, specifically designed and formulated for leather. Choose and use a neutral cream for your bag. These specific products will nourish the leather, which in turn keeps it pliable and supple, preventing your bag from cracking or from drying out.
Oh, and Don’t use furniture polish… the silicones in those products may damage the pores of your leather bag.
3. Test Out before you Treat Your Leather Bag
Before applying any cleaning or Leather conditioning product to your leather bag, first test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the bag. This will ensure that the product is compatible with your bag, and prevent any potential discoloration or damage to the item itself.
Pick a small area, or patch, preferably on the inside of your bag and apply your leather care cleaning to product to this patch. Now leave it, for a couple of hours if you can. You want to check if your bag will suffer from any discolouration or damage caused by the cleaning product. If all looks good when you revisit the test patch, then go ahead.
Follow the manufactures instructions to apply the cleaner, to clean and nourish your leather bag.
4. Protect Your Leather Bag from Moisture Damage
Your leather bag is made with a naturally porous material. As such, your bag will be susceptible to water damage. To protect your bag from unexpected showers, spills, and other potential water damage, look to apply a water repellent spray that is designed for leather.
Make sure that you apply and reapply the spray periodically, especially if you live in the United Kingdom or another rainy location or climate.
5. Take Extra Care of Leather Handles and Straps
The handles and straps of your leather bag will suffer the most stress and strain. Not only are they carrying the weight of the bag (and all you have stuffed into it) but also think of the ‘chafing and rubbing’ that is continually happening. Shoulder straps are worn hard in several stress points where the leather meets the ‘shoulder’ and handles will have your hands literally rubbing them away.
So, it is important to regularly inspect them for signs of wear and tear and potential weak spots forming in the leather. reinforce weak spots with leather conditioner or a specialized leather repair kit.
When carrying items in your leather bag, distribute the weight evenly to prevent undue stress and strain points on the handles and straps.
A top tip is to never overload your bag, Trust me on this, your leather bag will last longer, not become mis-shaped, and ultimately thank you in the long run.
6. Clean, Dry and Wipe Spills on your Leather Bag Immediately
Unfortunately, in life, accidents happen. You will at some point suffer the mishap of a ‘spillage’ on or in your leather bag. When (not If) this happens swift action is essential in preventing permanent damage. But, don’t panic.
Keep calm. If you spill something on your bag, blot it immediately with a clean, dry cloth to absorb the liquid. Make sure you do not rub harshly over the affected area. rubbing, can spread the stain and damage the leather fibres.
Just gently absorb the liquid until the bag is dry, and then put it out of your mind (as best as possible) as it will be better to take the time to assess any damage when you look to clean your leather bag at home, where you can calmly and methodically work out the best course of action to clean your leather bag.
7. Can I use Heat to Dry Leather Bags?
In a word – NO. If you expose your leather bag (or any leather product) to heat, you will damage the natural oils in the leather. Leather contains natural oil, which keeps your leather bag supple. If you subject your bag to heat (and I include direct sunlight) then these oils evaporate, leaving the leather dry, dull and brittle. The Leather then is weakened and becomes prone to cracking.
So No Hair Dryers, No Tumble Dryers and definately NO sticking your bag in the Oven !
Naturally drying leather is best and If your leather bag is wet, follow the instructions above.
In Conclusion
I hope you found these 7 tips to clean your leather bag useful. Where appropriate these steps can be carried out at home. However, there may be times when your leather bag has just gone too far or become damaged beyond home remedy and treatment. If this is the case then you will need to seek professional help. When that time comes then look for a reputable leather specialist that understands the craftmanship that goes into making your leather bag.
To find your own quality leather bag, that will give you years of service, and that as it beautifully ages will go on to become a piece that conveys your style and persona, then check our links here,
Our Hand picked, for you, Leather Bags can be found here
Thanks for reading