Three Tips To Care For Leather Bags
SOLD handtooled leather handbag with Celtic design…—TheLivingRoominKenmore (Flickr.com)
Leather bags are great investments because they are sturdy, can withstand trends and fashion dictates, can go with most kinds of clothes, and can actually increase in value as they age. This is why vintage leather bags have their own niche in auctions. On a personal note I auctioned off a old leather bag to pay for my kidney stone surgery.
Your leather bag does not need to be an expensive branded one for you to take extra care of it. All authentic leather bags need special care if you want them to last. This blog post will help you do just that with some helpful tips to keep your bags functional and ornamental in the best ways possible.
Below is a video with instructions on how to take care, clean, and store your leather bags the right way.
The host mentions several things she does to keep her valued leather bags looking good.
- Use a good water and stain repellant. The good thing about spray-on repellants is that they are handy, and you can also use them on shoes and other leather goods to protect them from stains (water and others). You won’t be able to predict the days when you are out with your leather bag and the rain starts to fall. So, better safe than sorry: treat your bag with a water and stain repellant before going out. Let it sit for around 30 minutes before spraying another coat. Additional helpful tip: test-spray on a small and unnoticeable part of your bag (such as the bottom) first to see if the product will discolor or have any adverse effect on the leather.
- Carry some leather shampoo everywhere for spot-cleaning. If you don’t want to have expensive leather cleaning service done, you can use a leather shampoo to clean spots. Use a clean rag, soak part of it in the mixture, and dab the spot. This usually takes out small stains that have not set in the leather yet (for stubborn stains that are huge, you might have to visit the bag doctor). For quick fix-me-ups, put some leather shampoo mix in a small bottle you can take anywhere. Additional helpful tip: avoid using this to clean the entire bag. It is just for spot cleaning. Conditioners and cleaners specifically made for leather are still your best bet.
- Use a dust bag to store your leather bags in. Most leather bags already come with a dust bag to protect them. Store them in a cool dry place so the leather won’t flake. For structured bags and those with unique shapes, do not stack the bags on top of one another. Let them rest on their bottoms so they will retain their shapes. Some owners like stuffing their bags with newspapers or other kinds of stuffing so they will not get deformed.
