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5 Tips to Care for your Leather Bag

When it comes to taking care of your things, handbags usually fall under the radar.

They are so unassumingly durable that it’s hard to imagine they would need any sort of care-taking.

But in the long run, the wear and tear will start showing if you don’t take look after your leather bag. Here are 5 simple tips to maintain the pristine quality of your handbag.

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1.

Use a pouch to hold your pens and liquids.

I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally spilled water or lotion, or a pen leaked in my bag. It's so frustrating when it happens. That's why I designed an interior pouch to go inside our medium and larger sized bags. It’s also a pain moving my essentials from one bag to another whenever I switch bags. I always seem to forget something. Putting all my essentials into a pouch helps me find them easily, and now when I switch bags, all I need to move is my wallet and my various pouches (yes, I have more than one!).

2. Stuff your bag to maintain its shape

All handbags, no matter their size, will benefit from stuffing. It's the best way for them to keep their shape over time. Especially if you won't be using them for a while. All our bags are shipped with paper stuffing. Remember to keep it after you unwrap your new bag. If you’ve already tossed it, acid-free tissue paper will do. Don’t use newspaper, the ink may stain the inside of your bag!

Bella Mini Leather Bucket Bag - Blue Perforated

Blue Perforated $372.00

Bellagio Mini Leather Backpack - Fango

Fango $367.00

Sold Out

Gio Leather Duffle Bag - Sky Blue

Sky Blue $409.00

Sold Out

Loren Large Leather Tote Bag - Black

Black $585.00

Alexandra de Curtis red small leather circle crossbody bag purse

Luna Leather Circle Crossbody Bag - Red

Red $303.00

Leather Tablet / iPad Envelope Case Cover - Grey

$208.00

1 color available

3. Keep your dust bag

Most handbags come with a dust bag – make sure you keep it and use it! Our bags all come with a dust bag, no matter the size of the bag. Dust bags will protect your bags when you’re not using them. The leather can get ruined and lose its shine from the dust in your closet, or from touching other items in your closet that could mark or stain your bag. I store all my leather bags in their dust bags to keep them looking as pristine as possible. Air them out once every two weeks to stop the growth of mold and bag rotation is key. Everyday use of your bag will wear it out, so switch things up every month.

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Did you know?

Our bags are expertly handcrafted with our signature Italian calfskin leather with custom coloured bonded suede lining. This leather is very lightweight, water-resistant and keeps its shape over time, making it durable and practical; the perfect companion for a busy lifestyle.

Shop the look

Siena Mini Leather Satchel Crossbody Bag - Pink

Pink $399.00

Brown leather belt bag crossbody with shoulder strap

3-in-1 Leather Crossbody Belt Bag Clutch - Brown

Brown $335.00

Loren Midi Leather Tote Bag - Blush Pink

Blush Pink $542.00

Bella Leather Bucket Bag - Blue Perforated

Blue Perforated $388.00

4. Store your bags on a shelf

Never, ever hang your bag in your closet. After a while this will cause the leather to stretch where it is hung from (especially if you didn’t take your things out of your bag). If you can, store them on a shelf or a chest of drawers to avoid gravity pulling them down. Yes, gravity can also affect the youthfulness of your bag, they are made of calfskin after all. Keeping them far away from your make-up, pens, and lotions will also keep them safe from accidental spills!

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5. Use the right product for the right leather

The general principle is simple: remove dirt build-up by wiping down with a cleaner made specifically for the leather in question. Every other day, give your bag a brisk sweep with a soft dry cloth—this won't take more than a few minutes, but will go miles towards preserving the appearance of your leather. Leather is permeable and can never be entirely waterproof, so avoid toting your favourite bag in bad weather. Nonetheless, there are beeswax creams which function as a barrier against water, but always do a test on a little hidden part of your bag to see the effect on your leather.

I'm not a big fan of leather cleaning products because I don't believe they actually work as well as they say. Believe me, nothing will get a pen mark off leather, no matter what it says on the box. However, suede is another matter. I would recommend buying a leather cleaning product to spray on your bag before wearing it to offer more protection against staining and water damage.