HOW TO MAKE YOUR LEATHER ITEMS LAST LONGER

The fashion industry uses leather in all its forms for its high quality when manufacturing bags, belts, wallets, etc. It is a living material that can last a lifetime if properly taken care of. Here are some basic notions for the maintenance of your leather bags and accessories.

TELL US WHICH KIND OF LEATHER YOU OWN AND WE’LL TELL YOU HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

Before doing the maintenance of any leather items, it is important for you to identify the kind of leather skin they are made of. The cleaning agent used for maintenance must be adapted to the material of your bags and accessories to avoid any damage.  Full-grain is a type of leather where the natural grain has not been altered. The thickness of the skin has been preserved, therefore, this type of material is the most resistant and has the highest quality. Suede is a leather that has been treated on the hide to give a velvety finish, unlike the Nubuck, which has been buffed on the grain surface to give the velvety finish. The Nubuck has a better resistance than Suede, as only the outer surface has been treated.

GOOD HABITS TO PROTECT YOUR LEATHER GOODS

To enjoy leather items for as long as possible, avoid exposing them to heat, light or dust. This material is permeable, so make sure you do not soak your leather items in water. If they end up being wet, wipe them off immediately and avoid drying them with a direct heat source. Also, make sure to hydrate your leather with non-perfumed moisturizer to prevent it from cracking.  When you spend a long period without using your leather bags, it is important to fill them with paper, to maintain their shape, and to store them in air-permeable bags to protect them from dust. Avoid storing your leather items in plastic bags or bins because it is a living material that needs to breathe.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BAGS AND LEATHER GOODS REGULARLY

Leather bags such as handbags, briefcases, laptop bags and others are carried around and are subject to stains and dust. It is, therefore, essential to take care of leather bags and accessories by cleaning them, and ideally to do so at least every six months. Prior to hydrating or cleaning your leather bags, remove any dust to prevent it from getting into the material. When cleaning leather bags, don’t forget to clean the handles and any accessories they have, such as buckles, chains, etc.

When applying a cleaning solution on your leather bags, test it first on a non-noticeable part of the leather to see if a reaction occurs or if there is a change in color. If your leather items are stained, first try to remove the stain with a clean sponge or a cotton pad soaked in soapy water. Afterward, gently wipe the stain with a soft cloth in the leather grain’s direction to remove the dirt. To prevent watermarks around stained areas, always clean your bag entirely, insisting on stains, and let it air dry.

A good care of your leather items will allow you to use them for many years. See all leather bags and accessories available at Mancini Leather.