Cleaning & caring for leather bags: 7 tips for beautiful leather!
Leather has many positive properties that make it one of the most popular materials for good reason. It is robust, has a unique feel and is also beautiful to look at. Despite its durability, it can show one or two signs of aging over the years, which are a thorn in the side of many of us in terms of appearance. Because with the wrong care, it can quickly become stained, cracked or greasy.
Leather bags in particular, which have to withstand the stresses and strains of everyday life, should be kept under control when it comes to care. If this is forgotten, the leather suffers and punishes us with irreversible blemishes that can no longer be repaired. The following tips will help you to protect your leather bags from a tragic end like this. Even old models can be brought back to life with one or two household remedies.
Tip 1: Waterproofing leather bags: Better more often than once a lot!
Even if new leather bags have already been professionally impregnated by the manufacturer, you must renew this protection regularly. For this we recommend that you use aImpregnation spraythat is free of synthetic ingredients and aerosols. Alternatively, you can also use anatural leather lotion with pearling effectAlways apply the protective layer over the entire surface and in thin layers. Repeat this process every three months, or even every other month if you wear it frequently. This way, your leather bag is completely protected from stains and moisture and you don't have to worry about your favorite piece being damaged by everyday influences.
Of course, conventional products also offer protection against dirt and moisture. However, they clog the pores and minimize the breathability of the leather. This has a negative effect on the appearance of the material and, to be honest, products like these are not really environmentally friendly either.
Tip 2: Clean the inside of your leather bag: More important than you think!
Over time, not only does an infinite amount of odds and ends accumulate in the infinite depths of a handbag. Dust, lint and crumbs can also be found in it if you occasionally turn the inside out. It is therefore not really surprising that the bag can sometimes smell unpleasant because of this. This is exactly why you should clean bags from the inside before cleaning them on the outside. This works by either shaking them out thoroughly or using a vacuum cleaner. You can then wipe them down with a damp sponge or cloth. A sustainable textile cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar is best for this.
Tip 3: Cleaning leather bags: Regularity is the order of the day!
To ensure your leather bags have a long life, you should regularly remove dust residues. A damp cloth is sufficient for this. Would you like asustainable leather cleaner, make sure that no soap residue is left on the material. Otherwise, you could cause stains that should be avoided. You can avoid this risk by following up with a damp cloth.
Stubborn stains are best treated with a leather cleaner based on vegetable surfactants. Please make sure that you always work from the outside in and then remove all residues with distilled water.
Tip 4: Caring for leather bags: Sustainable leather care provides the leather with everything it needs!
Treat your bag to a regular pampering program. The care you use depends on the type of leather. Good tip:Sustainable leather care productsare designed to be versatile and suitable for different types of leather. Another advantage: They not only give your leather bag the right care that can penetrate deep into the material. They also remove light dirt and at the same time protect it from external influences.
Tip 5: Protect your leather bag from UV light and heat: Better safe than sorry!
Natural leather can be irreversibly damaged by too much sunlight. Therefore, do not expose it to high UV rays. Of course, you can also take your favorite bag out of the closet in the summer and take it for a walk as a practical accessory. Make sure that you do not leave it in the blazing sun or even take it to the beach. Salt water is not exactly the right element for leather either.
The same applies to heat. Never put your leather bag on the radiator. Excessive sunlight is not the only thing that causes unsightly damage to the natural material. Heat also causes the material to dry out and become brittle. That's why you should never put your valuable item on the radiator to dry, as the leather would deform. This would also result in water marks and a change in the feel. Stuff your bag with crumpled newspaper and let it air dry. Then nothing can happen.
Tip 6: Clean leather first, then care for it!
If you don't want your leather bag to become greasy after a while, you should always clean it first and then care for it. If the leather is not cleaned of all dirt in the first step, the following will happen: The dirt remains in the pores and is practically trapped by the care product. The result is hard and shiny leather that is reminiscent of bacon rind. So remember: clean first and then care for it!
Tip 7: Avoid chemical cleaning products!
Conventional cleaning agents often contain harmful ingredients that have a negative effect on the structure of the natural material. They often clog the pores, which means that the material can no longer breathe and the necessary care cannot penetrate into the lowest layers of the material. The result: the leather becomes brittle, changes its shape and its pleasant feel is also gone.
Instead, we recommend that you opt forsustainable leather care productsBecause natural ingredients such as beeswax, sugar acid, wool wax and vegetable surfactants remove dirt, provide your leather with sufficient moisture and protect it from external influences.