Leather is one of the most beautiful and durable materials that can be used to make a bag.
In fact, real leather bags are getting more and more popular these days and people who want to buy a leather bag are looking for ways to keep the bag in good condition for long.
Unfortunately, the natural properties of the material is prone to wear. So to keep your bags looking as good as new, you need to follow proper leather care to protect your leather bag.
Keep them away from sunlight
Protecting your leather bag from the sun is essential. We all know that UV rays are a major cause of tanning, sunburn, and even skin cancer.
Same goes with leather bags, it is important to protect your leather bag from UV rays, as a leather bag will eventually fade from exposure to sunlight.
A good place to start is to get a leather conditioner on a soft cloth, as these products contain UV protectants to help prevent fading.
You can also protect your leather handbags from ultraviolet light by storing them in cool, dark places when not in use.
This also applies to other types of leather goods such as leather shoes, leather satchels, leather messenger bags, leather gear bags, leather purse, leather accessories, leather jackets, and more.
Avoid pressure
When the leather is under pressure, it is easy to be deformed and broken. Therefore, when the leather is not in use, it is best to keep the leather bag in a place that is not subject to pressure, such as a dustproof cabinet.
Leather bags should not be placed in a position where they are subject to a lot of pressure or force. This is to prevent them from wrinkling or deforming.
You can use a wide leather shoulder bag to store your items while you are on the go to ensure more room in it.
This is also very common to leather briefcases and leather travel bags. Travel bags can be prone to damage when it is exposed to heavy pressure.
This can happen when you travel with your bag, or when it is waiting on a luggage carousel at the airport. To avoid the problem, you should follow some simple steps:
- Ensure your bag is fully packed, and that there is no extra weight in it.
- Make sure your bag is not sitting on a hard surface.
- When bringing your bag on a plane, arrange your bag in the overhead compartment so that it is in a vertical position.
- Ensure your bag is stored in the hold for the shortest time possible.
Keep them clean
One of the main concerns for most people when using any kinds of leather goods is the need to keep them clean.
After all, leather is an animal skin, and therefore contains oils and fats. If not correctly cared for, it can result in a bad leather odour, and even leave stains on the material.
Keep it clean :
- After each use, wipe your leather bag with a clean and damp cloth.
- Use a leather cleaner to care for scuffs, and protect its surface.
- You can polish your leather bag with shoe polish or leather balm. Apply a thin coat of polish to a clean cloth, then rub it into the leather. After the polish dries, buff it with a clean cloth to reveal a high-gloss sheen.
- Sprinkle a fine, even layer of baking soda on a clean cloth wipes, then lightly rub the leather bag with the baking soda.
- Using a clean cloth, wipe away any excess baking soda that doesn’t adhere to the bag.
- Buff the bag with a dry cloth and let it air dry in the shade.
- If your leather bag is already in a sticky situation, you’re going to have to dampen it a little bit before you can apply any baking soda. Let the leather bag dry fully before buffing it.
Use leather cream or conditioner
You can protect your genuine leather bags by using leather conditioner. Leather conditioner protects leather surfaces from drying out and cracking.
You can use leather conditioner on both new and old bags to help preserve the bag’s structure, colour, and shine.
Leather conditioner helps bags made from all leather types, including alligator, cow, lamb, and goat. Use quality leather conditioner for bags that are made from smooth, nubuck, and suede leathers.
When you use leather conditioner, the leather bag is protected from the elements and stays supple. Leather conditioner also prevents water spots and stains.
Leather conditioner helps repel water and oil, two of the biggest enemies of leather. This means that the leather stays supple and soft, and you won’t have to worry about it cracking or hardening over time.
It is also recommended to use it every two weeks to keep your bag in a good condition. It will help to keep the leather from getting alligatored.
Waterproof them
Excess moisture on your leather bag will lead to water damage. Therefore, it is very important to protect them from any water spills.
Here are the following leather bag care recommendations for waterproofing:
- Use leather waterproofing spray
- Dry and then use waterproofing wax on the bag
- Use the hair dryer blow dry leather bag
- Leather bag placed in a sealed plastic bag as protection against water
- Leather bag placed in the trash bag
- Use a leather bag protective bag
- Use clear varnish , satin or semi-gloss in a well-ventilated area. Apply a thin coat to the entire bag, let it dry, then apply a second coat
- Use neutral shoe polish
- Use a spray protector.
