In 2018, the handbag market was valued at $47 billion worldwide. With the different types of leather bags growing in value, cleaning leather bags properly is more important than ever.
Without proper bag cleaning tools and knowledge, one small spill can ruin your investment in a matter of seconds. Continue reading to learn how to care for your leather bag from leather bag storage to removing bag stains.
Cleaning Leather Bags
Cleaning leather bags properly starts with accumulating the right bag cleaning tools and utilizing the right cleaning methods.
The different types of leather have slightly different care recommendations. While the below recommendations are appropriate for most leather, we'll focus on full grain leather cleaning.
Bag Cleaning Tools
Your cleaning efforts are only as good as the bag cleaning tools you use. We recommend starting with the below essentials.
- Cleaning chemicals
- Conditioner
- Cleaning cloth
For cleaning chemicals, invest in a high-quality leather cleaning solution. One that can remove bag stains is ideal.
A soft cleaning cloth and leather conditioner also contribute to good leather bag maintenance since they help prevent and minimize damage to your bag's surface.
Cleaning Technique
When it comes to cleaning leather bags, there are different levels. The first level is routine leather bag maintenance. This can be done every other day by wiping the surface with a soft cloth.
The next level is deep cleaning, which can be done every 6 to 12 months to remove any buildup of dirt. For this process, get your leather cleaner and rub it over the surface of your bag with a soft cloth making small circles.
Once you've applied the cleaner, you can remove any excess with a damp cloth. Follow this with the leather conditioner to keep the leather smooth and hydrated. Use the same process as the leather cleaner.
Removing Bag Stains
Taking care of the different types of leather involves removing bag stains promptly. Some of the most reliable stain removers are rubbing alcohol, baking soda, or lemon juice w/ cream of tartar.
You can dab rubbing alcohol can onto the stain (do not rub) until it disappears. Baking soda can be applied with a damp cloth. Set the bag out overnight before wiping it off.
Lemon juice and cream of tartar should only be used for light-colored leather bags due to their minimal bleaching effect. Mix equal amounts of each ingredient together and apply to the stain for 30 minutes before wiping clean with a damp cloth.
Leather Bag Storage
Proper leather bag storage helps maintain your cleaning efforts. In order to properly store your leather bag, grab a storage container such as a dust bag or pillowcase. You can also use padding such as parchment paper, packing peanuts, or bubble wrap.
These materials help prevent scrapes and indents when your bag isn't in use. Your bag will keep its quality appearance until you're ready to use it again.
Get to Cleaning Leather Bags
Cleaning leather bags is an essential part of leather bag maintenance. Regardless of the types of leather or bag cleaning tools used, staying on top of the process can help keep your bag in good condition in the long term.
If you're looking for a new leather bag, check out our selection of quality leather bags.