How to care for a leather bag? We explain the tools to use, how often to care for it, and points to be careful of
Proper care of your leather bag will not only keep it beautiful and shiny, but it will also stay soft and supple for a long time.
When caring for a leather bag, it is important to follow the procedure and use tools that will not damage the leather.
In this article, we will explain how to care for a leather bag and the tools to use. We will also look at the precautions to take when caring for it and how to store a leather bag.
Why is it necessary to care for a leather bag?
Proper care is essential to keep your leather bag in beautiful condition and use it for a long time.
Leather products, including leather bags, are made from natural materials made from tanned animal skins.
If you continue to use your leather bag without caring for it, it will dry out and lose its flexibility, and may crack or tear.
Once leather is damaged, it is difficult to repair it, so it is important to take proper care of it to prevent it from drying out and keep it moisturized.
Regularly caring for your leather bag will increase its shine and deepen the color. It will also maintain its durability, so you can use it for a long time.
Timing and frequency of caring for leather bags
You should care for your leather bag when you feel that the leather has become dry.
When leather becomes dry, it loses its flexibility, becomes hard, and becomes flaky. If you lightly fold the leather and then return it to its original position and the crease remains, this is a sign that it is dry.
You also need to care for your leather bag if it gets wet from rain or other reasons. If you leave it as is, the wet parts will stain.
The recommended frequency for cleaning is once every 1 to 3 months. If you use your bag every day, once a month, and if you use your bag less frequently, such as on weekends, once every 3 months.
Regular cleaning can also help prevent stains that can form when your bag gets wet, so don't forget to do it.
Things you need to take care of your leather bag
When caring for your leather bag, you need to use something that properly oils the leather without damaging it.
The following are the items you need to care for your leather bag.
Leather brushes
Leather brushes come in a variety of types, including horsehair, hoghair, and goathair, and each has different bristle hardness and uses.
If you're looking after a leather bag, we recommend a horsehair brush.
Horsehair is soft and thin, so it can polish leather without damaging it, and it is also useful for removing fine dust and dirt that accumulates in seams.
Leather maintenance cream or oil
When caring for a leather bag, you need a leather maintenance cream or oil.
Maintenance cream has features such as increasing water repellency and stain resistance. On the other hand, there are many maintenance oils that are excellent for leather preservation, restoring the leather's oil content.
However, the properties of maintenance creams and oils vary greatly depending on the product, so choose one that gives a glossy finish or a matte finish, etc., based on your preference.
In addition, creams and oils that spread easily are less likely to become uneven when applied to leather, so they are recommended for those who are not used to caring for leather.
Sponge or cloth
A sponge or cloth is used to spread the maintenance cream or oil applied to the leather. It is important to choose one with a soft texture so as not to damage the leather.
Sponges are often included with maintenance creams and oils, but if you want to prepare one separately, we recommend a sponge designed specifically for applying creams.
As for the cloth, you can use a scrap of an old T-shirt as long as it is 100% cotton.
Dry wiping cloth
The dry wiping cloth is used to wipe down the bag as the finishing touch to maintenance.
For the dry wiping cloth, we recommend a soft cloth that is 100% cotton.
There are also cloths made specifically for leather that can be used to apply maintenance creams and oils and then dry wipe down the leather as a finishing touch.
How to care for your leather bag
How should you care for a leather bag?
Here we will introduce how to care for a leather bag.
1. Remove dust from the surface with a leather brush
First, use a leather brush to remove dust from the surface of the bag. The key is to gently brush the bag over the surface without rubbing it too hard.
Brush the bag, paying attention to areas where dust tends to accumulate, such as seams.
If dust remains on the bag, the application of maintenance cream and other products that will follow will not work properly. It is important to pay close attention to every detail.
2. Apply maintenance cream or oil
Once you have dusted off the bag, apply leather maintenance cream or oil to a sponge or cloth and apply a thin layer to the leather surface.
Applying too much maintenance cream or oil can cause stains, so apply it carefully, in small amounts.
When you touch the bag with dry hands, it is ready when it feels moist.
Leave it for a while to let the surface dry, and the maintenance cream or oil will penetrate into the leather.
3. Wipe with a dry cloth
Apply the maintenance cream or oil, wait for a while, then wipe with a dry cloth to finish. Wipe the entire surface gently and carefully.
For larger bags like Boston bags, we recommend applying maintenance cream or oil and wiping with a dry cloth in small areas, finishing up bit by bit.
This prevents missed spots in the application of maintenance cream or oil, and allows you to wipe down the bag thoroughly.
Precautions for caring for leather bags
There are a few points to keep in mind when caring for a leather bag.
To properly care for your leather bag, pay attention to the following points.
Use clean maintenance products
When caring for a leather bag, it is important to use clean maintenance products.
If the brush, sponge used to apply maintenance cream, or cloth used for drying is dirty, the leather will become dirty when caring for it.
After using leather care products, you must thoroughly remove any dirt and store the product in a clean state.
The method of removing maintenance cream from the cloth varies depending on the product, so you need to check.
Use an appropriate amount of maintenance cream or oil
When applying maintenance cream or oil to leather, be careful not to apply too much.
Applying too much can damage the leather, making it feel and look bad. It can also cause mold to grow and stains.
When using a maintenance cream, we recommend that you apply it to an inconspicuous part of the bag before spreading it all over.
By testing it on an inconspicuous part, you can check whether it will stain or fade.
If it gets wet, dry it immediately
As mentioned above, if your leather bag gets wet, it needs to be cared for.
However, you must first wipe off the moisture with a towel or handkerchief and dry it completely in a well-ventilated place.
If you leave it wet or clean it when it's not dry, it may cause mold or stains.
Also, even if your leather bag gets wet, do not dry it with hot air from a hair dryer or other device. This is because applying hot air to leather can cause it to shrink and harden.
When drying, hang it in the shade in a well-ventilated area.
How to store leather bags
To use your leather bag for a long time, you need to pay attention to how you store it as well as how you take care of it.
When storing your leather bag, it is recommended to store it in a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight. Moisture can cause mold, so choose a place that can keep humidity low.
If you store the bag in a place with poor ventilation, such as a closet, take it out of the closet once a month even if you are not using the bag and place it in a well-ventilated place.
Also, to prevent the bag from losing its shape, it is best to store it hanging on a hanger or S-hook.
If you store it on a shelf, putting red bean paste (stuffing) in the bag while it is upright will help prevent the bag from losing its shape.
Properly care for your leather bag and use it for a long time
Many people buy leather products, including leather bags, with the expectation that they will be used for a long time.
Leather products can be used for a long time in beautiful condition if they are cared for regularly. It is important to follow the steps and precautions we have introduced and take care of your bag in the right way.
However, even if you take good care of your bag yourself, you may need to have it repaired by a professional.
To use your favorite bag for a long time, it is reassuring to have a product that offers after-sales service that accepts repairs.
BONAVENTURA, which handles products made with high-quality genuine leather from a prestigious, long-established tanner with over 150 years of history, offers a service called "Lifetime Warranty."
If you have any problems or issues, you can contact us through the official website, so you can use the bag with peace of mind.
BONAVENTURA leather bags are also characterized by their sophisticated design and wide range of colors.
Why not find your favorite item on the BONAVENTURA official website?