Taking care of your bag
As a general guideline, it is always advisable to test any cleaning product on an inner, non-visible part of the bag to check its effect on the leather. In the case of particular stains, it is always advisable to contact a laundry specialised in cleaning leather products.
Each leather has different specific characteristics depending on the type of tanning it has received, so it is not possible to indicate an ideal cleaning method. However, we can provide some useful instructions for each of the most commonly used leathers.
Vegetable-tanned cowhide and chrome-tanned leathers
Vegetable-tanned leather absorbs traces of wear and tear. It ages but does not spoil. It is the unique changes that occur with time and use that testify to the naturalness of the product. The colouring of the tannins imparts intense tones and many nuances to the leather, which over time and with use tend to resurface. Cowhide is a very easy leather to clean: simply brush it with a damp cloth to bring out its colour and shine.
To moisturise and protect the leather, you can use a clean, dry cloth to rub it gently with the help of a specific neutral product, such as shoe cream (always use a natural/neutral leather conditioner, not coloured creams or polishes).
You can find these leather products in any shoemaker, in shops that sell leather products and even in some well-stocked supermarkets; it is essential to make sure that they do not release substances while wearing the bag, as they could stain clothes.
In case of accidental scratches, try to absorb them by gently massaging the leather.
Full Grain Leather
Rub the leather as gently as possible using a sponge moistened with water, making sure it is well cleaned and wrung out (do not soak the leather with water!).
Do not use cleansing creams, this leather is rather porous and tends to retain haloes and stains if treated with creams. Leave to air dry without using heat sources or direct sunlight.
Suede
Brush the leather vigorously, using a shoe brush (as long as it does not have excessively hard bristles), or rub it gently with a suede rubber.
Do not soak with water or use creams. Try to avoid using your suede bag on a rainy day as it can absorb liquids very easily due to its porous texture.
Caring for your bag when not in use
Store your bag in its original fabric dustbag to protect it from dust; if there is no dustbag you can use a common cotton pillowcase (it is better not to use plastic bags, the leather needs to breathe)
To keep its shape intact, you can fill the bag with a little tissue paper (avoid newspapers and magazines, the ink could stain the lining), so it won’t deform and take on ugly creases
Store your bag in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and humidity, as all natural leathers and metal accessories are sensitive to these factors
After prolonged non-use of the bag, wipe the leather with a dry cotton or wool cloth to restore its beauty and shine
Caring for your bag while in use
A genuine leather bag is an organic artefact, which requires a few small precautions to preserve its beauty over the years:
Essential Precautions
Avoid contact with oily substances, permanent markers, alcohol and solvents (perfumes, some wines and other alcoholic drinks, nail polish removers, bleach, etc.), with coffee, blood or ink that could cause irreversible damage to your bag.
Direct Sunlight
Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun or light, which can alter the leather’s tones.
Rain Protection
Protect your bag from rain, which can cause stains; if the leather comes into contact with water, dry it as soon as possible with a soft, dry cloth, and let it dry naturally without using a hairdryer as this could cause ‘wrinkles’.
Natural Colouring
Leather is naturally tanned, without fixing layers, in order to leave it soft and supple; this is precisely why, in particular conditions of temperature or humidity or in exceptional cases, it may release its colour; special care should therefore be taken when wearing over light colours.
Does Your Bag Need Repairing? Contact Us.
Our bags can be repaired and returned to you so that you can continue to enjoy them. If you require assistance with one or more of our products, you can contact us by clicking on the ‘I need assistance’ button.
Fill in the form, tell us where the repair needs to be carried out, and attach a photo of the damage so that we can give your bag a second lease of life.
We will process your request as soon as possible.
