How to care for leather bags? We also explain the necessary items and maintenance frequency
Leather bags are loved by many people, from formal items to casual ones that can be used every day.
In order to prevent damage to leather or accelerated deterioration, it is important to take care of and store it in the right way.
In this article, we will explain how to care for your leather bag, the tools you need, the ideal frequency of care, and how to store your leather bag to keep it in good condition.
Why is it necessary to care for your leather bag?
Leather bags require regular maintenance, as the leather can peel or crack over time.
The cause of leather peeling and cracking is the loss of moisture on the leather surface due to dryness. Natural leather is different from synthetic leather, it is real animal skin.
Therefore, just like human skin, it needs to be regularly maintained to keep it oily and moist. Doing so will also reduce the risk of peeling and cracking.
Things you need to take care of your leather bag
Here we will introduce the items needed to care for your leather bag. We will also explain how to choose the items.
Please note that any items such as cloths and brushes used for care should be clean.
If you use dirty tools to care for your bag, the dirt may transfer to the bag.
After cleaning, replace the dirty cloth and brush the bag with a dry cloth several times to remove dust.
Soft cloth or leather cloth
To clean a leather bag, you need a soft cloth or leather cloth.
These cloths and rags are used for a wide range of purposes, including wiping, applying cream, and removing dirt and dust.
We recommend using cotton for these materials, as they are highly absorbent.
If you don't have any on hand, you can use old underwear instead.
However, it is best to avoid terry cloth, as it may get caught on the zipper or metal parts of a leather bag.
If you are unsure which cloth to use, we recommend a double-sided brushed cloth, which can be used to remove dirt and add shine.
Leather brush
Leather brush is also an essential tool for caring for leather bags.
Leather brush is useful for removing dirt before applying cream.
Use it to remove dirt from the handle of a leather bag, and dust from small areas such as seams and between the grain.
Brushes are also used to spread cream and allow it to penetrate deep into the leather for finishing.
There are many types of brushes, including horsehair and boar hair, but if you are unsure, we recommend a horsehair brush, which is easy to use and can be used on any type of leather.
Leather cleaners and creams
Use a leather cleaner to remove dirt from the surface of a leather bag.
In addition, you will need a leather cream to nourish the leather.
Leather creams have the effects of adding shine and moisture, softening the leather, removing dirt, and protecting it from scratches.
BONAVENTURA sells leather care kits that come with a leather brush, cream, and leather cloth.
This convenient kit comes with all the tools you need to care for your leather bags and small leather items, and is compact enough to take with you on trips or business trips.
It's also recommended as a gift along with a leather item.
For more information about BONAVENTURA's leather care kits, please see the page below.
In addition, BONAVENTURA recommends spraying your leather products with Nano Glass Coating Spray every 3 to 4 months.
Nano Glass Coating Spray uses a special water-repellent treatment using cutting-edge nano technology to prevent water and dirt from adsorbing, making it easier to prevent damage when it gets wet in the rain.
For more information about BONAVENTURA's Nano Glass Coating Spray, please see the page below.
Basic care methods for leather bags
How should you care for your leather bag?
From here on, we will explain how to care for your leather bag in 5 steps.
1. Remove dust by wiping dry and brushing
First, use a cloth and brush to dry wipe and brush the entire leather bag.
This will not only remove dust, but will also help preserve the luster of the leather.
First, gently wipe the leather with a soft cloth to avoid scratching it.
You can easily remove dust from areas that are difficult to wipe with a cloth, such as the base of the handle, leather joints, and zipper joints, by using a brush.
This dry wiping and brushing should ideally be done every time you use your leather bag.
2. Use a cleaner to lift and wipe away dirt
Once you have removed the dust, the next step is to wipe away the dirt with a cleaner.
The handles, corners, and bottom of leather bags are particularly prone to getting dirty.
When dirt becomes noticeable, use a cleaner to lift the dirt and wipe it off.
First, put a few drops of leather cleaner onto a soft cloth and place it on the area you want to remove dirt from.
Then, gently pat the area to lift the dirt.
The key is to pat gently, as rubbing can cause the dirt to spread and the color to fade.
When the dirt has lifted off, wipe it off with another clean cloth. Finally, wipe it dry with another cloth and you're done.
3. Apply cream
If you feel that the surface of your leather bag has become dry compared to when you bought it, use cream to replenish the oil.
However, depending on the type of leather, the cream may cause discoloration, so it is recommended that you first test apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area before using it.
Once you have confirmed that the test application does not cause discoloration, apply a small amount of cream to a soft cloth and spread it thinly over the entire leather bag.
Work quickly in a circular motion to blend it in. Finally, use a brush to blend it in over the entire bag and wipe off excess oil with a dry cloth.
Please note that applying too much cream can cause stickiness and stains, so be careful about the amount you use.
BONAVENTURA recommends caring for your leather bag with nano glass coating spray once every three to four months.
Special water-repellent treatment using cutting-edge nano technology prevents water and dirt from adsorbing, making it easier to prevent damage to leather when it gets wet.
For more information about BONAVENTURA's nano glass coating spray, please see the page below.
How often and when to maintain your leather bag
The timing of caring for your leather bag will vary depending on the care you need.
The basic care you need to take is to wipe your leather bag dry and brush it after use.
Even if you don't use your leather bag often, it's important to regularly remove the dust, wipe it dry, brush it, and then let it air out.
On the other hand, if you use it frequently and your skin's oils are familiar with it, we recommend cleaning it once every six months, or at most once a month.
Also, if your leather gets wet from rain or snow, or if you accidentally get dirt on it, don't leave it as it is, but take care of it as soon as you notice it.
However, you should also be careful not to over-treat your leather.
Using too much cream or oil can actually make the leather worse, so it's enough to apply it when you feel that the surface is starting to dry.
If your leather feels moist and supple to the touch, you probably don't need to use cream.
Tips for keeping your leather bag in good condition
To keep your leather bag in good condition and use it for a long time, there are some tips on how to store and use it.
Here are three tips for keeping your leather bag in good condition.
Store it the right way
To keep your leather bag in good condition, it is important to store it the right way.
When storing a leather bag for a long period of time, empty the bag, stuff it with soft cloth or newspaper, and wrap it in non-woven fabric before storing.
Since newspaper may transfer printing ink to the interior, it is safer to wrap it in cloth before packing it.
In addition, choose a well-ventilated place out of direct sunlight when storing.
It is best to avoid using insect repellents and desiccants as much as possible, as they may cause leather bags to deteriorate or harden.
It is also recommended to store leather bags upright to prevent them from losing their shape.
Take out all the contents and give your leather bag a rest
Empty all the contents from your bag every time you use it and give your leather bag a rest for a day, which is also necessary to keep your leather bag in good condition.
Bags are easier to keep in good condition if you use them every day, rather than storing them for a long time.
However, to make it last longer, even leather bags that you use every day should be given a rest from time to time.
It is best to take out the contents every time you give your leather bag a rest, but if this is difficult, it is recommended to take out the contents and let it rest on the weekends.
Also, to prevent moisture and deformation, remove all contents and store in a non-woven fabric or similar.
Regularly care for your leather bag with cream
To keep your leather bag in good condition, it is important to regularly care for it with cream.
Even if you store it in the right way and in the right place, the leather will dry out if it is not used for a long period of time.
Regularly take out your stored leather bag and check the surface of the leather. If you feel that it is not moisturized enough, replenish it with oil with cream.
By regularly checking the condition of the leather and caring for it as necessary, it will be easier to keep it in beautiful condition.
Leather bags recommended by BONAVENTURA
If you are looking for a leather bag that you can use for a long time, we recommend BONAVENTURA leather bags, which use high-quality genuine leather from a prestigious, long-established tanner with over 150 years of history.
Here we will introduce three particularly recommended items from BONAVENTURA's leather bags.
Mia Tote Bag (MM Medium Shrink)
The medium size of the Mia Tote Bag, which is a firm favorite at BONAVENTURA.
It has ample storage space that can fit A4 size documents and a 13-inch laptop perfectly, making it suitable for a variety of occasions, such as everyday use, commuting, short trips with less luggage, and long trips.
Chiara Shoulder Bag Shrink Leather
The crescent-shaped half-moon Chiara Shoulder Bag is attractive for its compact size that makes it easy to carry like an accessory.
The sophisticated and timeless design brings out the fine leather, and can be used in a wide range of styles, from casual to formal.
Nicola Tote Bag Shrink Leather
Nicola Tote Bag is a stylish and simple bag, but the original buckle on the belt makes it stand out.
This bag has a refined shape that highlights the soft texture of the material, and can be used by both men and women.
Maintain your leather bag in a way that suits the type of leather and how often you use it
Proper care of your leather bag will enhance its luster and texture, and you will love it even more.
Referring to the methods introduced here, continue to use the care and storage methods appropriate to the type of leather and how often you use your bag, and you can keep your leather bag in good condition and long-lasting.
If you are looking for a leather item such as a leather bag that you can use for a long time, we recommend BONAVENTURA leather products, which use high-quality genuine leather from a prestigious, long-established tanner with over 150 years of history.
Why not find your favorite item on the BONAVENTURA official website?
