HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR LEATHER BAGS

Bags to me is like icing on the cake for any look. Wear something casual (denim, basic tee & sneakers) and you look casual. Wear a solid leather bag with that look and your look becomes instantly elevated.

While bags can instantly elevate a look, I have to say that I do not have a wide range of them. I have a minimal collection but I am happy with them. Not sure if this is vain but I do care for my bags like they mean something to me. In this post, I will share some of the ways I take care of my leather bags with you……

Please have in mind that this post is focused only on caring for the LEATHER bags.

In the video below however, I shared TIPS on choosing the best leather handbags, please do have a look. Also I featured other handbags made out of other fabrics 

How to Care For Your Leather Handbags…….

TIP NUMBER ONE :::  ENSURE TO KEEP BAG DRY AT ALL TIMES

To get longevity from your leather bags, it is very important to ensure that they are kept dry at all times.

Even though we can’t control nature and can’t determine when it is going to rain, ensure to air dry your bag if you are lucky enough to enjoy natures showers of blessings (rain). So ensure to air dry your bag if it ever gets damp.

Never dry your bag by a radiator/heater. Heat will stretch your leather bag and heat can also cause your leather bags to crack.

You can use spray protectant to prevent penetration of water on your leather goods.  Always read your leather manual before spraying anything on your leather handbags especially the luxury / designer ones.

TIP NUMBER TWO ::: STORE THEM PROPERLY

I am not sure if I am the only one who has a bag I call the “knock about”. The “knock about” bag is simply the bag I grab and go whether running errands or working, it is always my go to bag. Do you have any bags like that?

Aside your go to or your knock about bag you leave by the hall way for easy access. It is important to store your bags with soft tissue paper or stuffing.

Whenever you buy a new bag especially high end bags, they stuff the inside with soft tissue papers. They do that so the bag can keep its natural shape while transporting them and they leave the tissue in also for storage.

When storing your bags, stuff those soft tissues in your bag to keep its original shape, always leave the silica gel that came with your bag in it when storing and then put your bag in its original dust bag and place your bag in the space your have provided for it.

Silica gel will help prevent the build up of mould on your bag. Mould is a type of fungi known to grow on wet surfaces like leather.

Follow the above storage guidelines and your bag will come out new every time you reach for it/them.

The coloured mini bag above is about 5 years old and every time I wear it, it looks like new.

TIP NUMBER THREE ::: KEEP AWAY FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT

Leather has the natural tendency to change colour especially as they get older. Obviously coloured leather is more susceptible/likely to change colour easily than the classic black leather so ensure to keep your bags away from direct sunlight.

When you keep your bag too close to where there is direct sunlight, your bag is likely to change its natural colour quicker than the natural colour changing process of the leather.

TIP NUMBER FOUR :::  CLEANING & CONDITIONING

Cleaning your bag is another way to care for your bag. Cleaning your bag is not too different from having a shower. Once you feel like you need a wash, you have a wash. Your bag also needs cleaning but never with soap and water.

Only wipe your leather handbags with soft dry cloth. You do not need water, alcohol, vinegar, abrasives and anything that could scratch the surface of your leather.

Some bags you can clean with damp clothes like some Louis Vuitton Damier but never use damp clothes on your leather goods especially luxury goods you have worked really hard to acquire.

You can also condition your bag with conditioning oil like neatsfoot oil. Use a little on a dry cloth and rub it all over your leather bag, leave it for about 10-15 minutes and air dry. Never dry your bag close to any kind of heat.

Conditioning your bag will help you retain the shine of your leather bag. You can do this as often as you need to.

TIPS for caring for any kinds of leather is the same whether the leather is real or faux. The bag I have in the picture below is made from faux leather and it is in a very good condition. It is the bag I gravitate towards the most for work. It keeps all my essentials and it is super stylish.

Just like any other thing, it is not really how much you pay for a particular thing, it is how well you care for the thing. I got the bag for 59.99 euros from Zara and I have worn it so many times I can’t even count.

Those are my TIPS for caring for your leather handbags. I hope you find them helpful. Please let me know in the comments below.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I am always very happy to see you.

Wishing you a fantastic day filled with lots of beautiful bags.

Much Love, Mojisola

Featured bags in order of appearance

Blue Leather Tote ::: Sophie Hulme (high end) //

Orange Leather Mini Bag ::: DKNY (high end)

Black ::: is Zara(high street)

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