Some people, ( like myself for instance ), do no more than gently wipe their leather handbag with a soft damp ( not wet ) cloth to keep it clean and free of spots and dust. Other people feel more comfortable pre-treating their bag with anti-stain and waterproof sprays such as Apple Weather Guard or Scotch Guard cleaners and conditioners.
Note: if you choose to use a conditioner on your bag, be sure to put a small amount of the conditioner on a soft cloth and apply the conditioner by way of the cloth to your bag. Never put the conditioner directly on the bag from the tube or bottle. If you choose to use a rain repellent on your bag, be sure to use a good conditioner first. Use products sparingly. Less is definitely more in this case.
A conditioner and cleaner we recommend is mink oil. We suggest mink oil because it doesn’t clog the pores of the leather, it absorbs well, and it makes the leather supple and clean, sweeping away built up dirt and soil. It is also inexpensive to use. And it works well on your older bags too, keeping the leather in soft condition. You can condition your bags up to four times a year, depending on how much you use them.
Never use any cleaning product on your leather handbag that contains alcohol, turpentine, or any harsh chemical because it will discolor your bag.
Patent leather should be wiped with a damp cloth, plus a little neutral detergent if needed.
Suede leather handbags should be gently brushed with a soft suede brush or wiped lightly with a dry sponge. Minor stains and marks can be removed by using a hard rubber eraser. Some leather experts suggest using a fluorocarbon aerosol spray product on the suede to make it water repellent and grease and dust repellent. If you use any of the products mentioned in this article, be sure to diligently follow the manufacturers’ directions.
Water can be destructive to leather. If it’s raining, don’t carry one of your prized designer bags that day. Save it for a dry day. If you are fanatical about keeping your new treasure “new looking” and perfect, then definitely check the weather report before heading out.
I’ll never forget the time I used my Mark Cross carry-on for the first time. I lived in Manhattan at the time, and was flying to Dallas on a morning, after a night full of rain. The chivalrous doorman grabbed my bags and hailed a taxi. In order to open the taxi door, he had to put one bag down on the sidewalk. Guess which one that was? Right! It was the Mark Cross, right into a puddle of dirty water. Ugh! In one fell swoop, my beautiful perfect carry-on was initiated into rugged traveler condition. If this ever happens to you, just be philosophical about it. What can you do? It’s part of living. My bag was stained, but with more use and more stains, that stain became less apparent. I felt better when I rationalized that my bag had a patina that could have been deliberate during the manufacturing process, just to accomplish “the look”!
To protect your bag when not in use, store it in the dust bag that came with it, or you can use a cotton pillowcase. Don’t use plastic. Plastic doesn’t breathe, and mold and bacteria can form.
If your bag is a light color, be sure your hands are clean when you handle it. Keep pencils and pens away from your leather. Those marks are treacherous!
When storing your handbag, it’s wise to stuff it gently with cotton rags such as recycled cotton jerseys or sweats. We like cotton cloth better than tissue paper because moths are less likely to be attracted to cotton. That being said, we have used tissue paper, and the bag has been fine. Stuffing the bag will preserve the shape of the bag and keep it from flattening out while being stored.
A good tip from a leather specialist has to do with removing grease or blood stains from your handbag. The specialist said to grind a piece of blackboard chalk into a fine powder, and apply the powder to the stain. Leave it there for 24 hours. It should absorb the stain.
Also, be aware of anything “leaking” in your handbag, such as perfume or hand lotion. I use a waterproof cosmetic pouch for this very purpose. It keeps me organized and it protects my bag.
Be attentive to metal chain handles when storing your bag. Just tuck the chain into the bag for safekeeping. You don’t want the chain to be embedded into the leather and leave its impression behind on the leather for all posterity.
Many people, particularly handbag collectors, are challenged when it comes to storing their handbags. Handbags require space and organization, making them accessible and easily reachable. We share the same challenge. Take heart, we are working it out for you and for ourselves, and a practical solution will soon appear in another article in this web site.
Meanwhile, your valuable investment of a beautiful designer handbag is worthy of proper care. You will be carrying and enjoying your bag for many years to come, even when the style of it is deemed “vintage”. There’s nothing wrong with a vintage accessory. I feel privileged to have a collection of vintage jewelry, handbags, and belts. My bags are perennially pleasurable and wearable. Keep them in great condition and they will serve you well! Joan
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