HOW TO KEEP YOUR LEATHER BAG LOOKING LIKE NEW
Vintage leather bags are celebrated for their timeless style and remarkable durability. As the leather ages, it develops a unique patina that adds character and makes each bag truly one-of-a-kind.
Leather Bags
Leather bags often age beautifully as they create a patina, a process where the leather oxidizes and darkens with use, and through exposure to air and different room conditions. Many people actually prefer the patina to the original color of the bag, and patiently wait for it to take place. For your leather bag to get to this stage, it needs to be used and regularly conditioned.
Caring for Leather: Prevent Drying and Cracking with Regular Conditioning
Leather also softens over time. For this to happen, it needs regular treatments with the leather conditioner. If a bag is left for too long without care, it might dry out and start cracking. This principle is the same as with our own skin. If it isn’t moisturized enough it will eventually dry out. As the leather does not produce its own oils, it is up to us to make sure they get enough moisture. The leather is made up of small fibers that are tightly packed together. When a leather bag is left without moisture for too long, small cracks will start to appear within the fibers. This cannot be reversed, but if you’re lucky, the cracks are small and can be hidden.
Restoring and Protecting Your Leather Bag: Tips for Cracks and Stains
If you realize that your vintage leather bag has started cracking, the first thing you need to do is to wipe any dirt off your bag. Do this by using a clean cloth or a soft brush. The next step is to apply a leather conditioner to the area of the cracks. Rub it in until the cracks are less pronounced and wipe off any excess. The leather needs to absorb the treatment, so let the bag sit for a while after the treatment. The treatment will help soften the fibers, which in turn will lessen the appearance of the cracks. To prevent any cracking all together, condition the bag regularly. This process can be shocking if you do it for the first time, since the leather tends to darken, but as it absorbs the moisture, it will eventually go back to its natural shade.
Another threat to your beloved bag are stains. Stains can occur from a number of different sources. Water, oil, grease, ink or dyes. Water is all around us and there is a big risk of some accidentally getting on your bag. Dry up any excess liquid as soon as you can and let the bag air dry away from heat sources. Ink stains, while annoying to deal with, can be removed with rubbing alcohol. Do a patch test in a hidden area and see how the leather reacts, as some are treated and coated with materials that react poorly to alcohol. If the alcohol dries up as it normally does, take a cotton swab and dab it on the stain. Make sure not to rub the stain, as that could push the ink further down. To deal with oil stains, pour talcum powder or baking powder in generous amounts on the stain and let sit for 20 minutes for smaller stains, and up to 24 hours if it’s especially tough! Never try dish soap or any other cleaning agents not used for leather as these can contain harsh chemicals that can ruin your bag. Overall, if you experience the stains to be stubborn or huge, we do suggest going to your shoe repair shop or bag spa stores since they are professionals and trained to handle such cleaning.
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