8 Hacks To Care For Your Leather Bags So They Last A Lifetime
Here are how you should clean, maintain and store these beloved totes
Whether it is a luxury investment or a high-street find, leather bags are well-loved by many. Made with supple leather, these totes are sturdy workhorses that look beautiful and can last a long time - with the proper care of course.
Ahead, we share with you eight tips to care for your leather bags so they last longer, ranging from simple lifestyle changes to methods of maintaining the integrity of the material.
Don’t throw away the dust bag that usually comes with your leather bag. They’re meant for protecting your bags, especially when you’re not using them. This will help your bags maintain their lustre and of course, keep out dust and dirt.
Many bags lose their shape when they’ve not been used for a long time. Keep yours in shape by stuffing it with paper, preferably of the acid-free variety.
If you’re carrying around makeup or skincare products, it’s best to store them in a separate pouch. This will prevent any spillage or stains.
Given our city’s humid climate, our bags tend to become mouldy after a period of time. A dehumidifier from Thirsty Hippo or Golden Rooster can help prevent this, and they're inexpensive too.
A common error that many make is to hang your bags on hooks that are conveniently located. If your bag is heavy, this can cause wear and tear to the straps. It is best to keep them on a shelf on its body.
As alcohol can cause damage to leather, the absence of it in baby shampoos makes it a great product to condition your bags with.
What you’ll need: 1 tbsp of baby shampoo, 4 cups of water, 2 drops of clear vinegar.
To prepare: Mix all three ingredients well. Dampen a dry, clean cloth with the mixture, and use it to wipe the surface of the leather bag. Let it air dry before storing.
In general, oils are great compounds to keep your leather goodies moisturised. However, experts recommend using essential oils over cooking oils (such as olive oil) as the latter could cause damage over time.
What you’ll need: Any essential oil except mint. Lemon is preferred for that fresh after fragrance.
To prepare: Dampen a dry, clean cloth. Add 10 drops of essential oil onto the cloth. Massage it on your leather bag.
Often found in lip balms, beeswax is great for cleaning leather while preventing it from cracking.
What you’ll need: ½ part beeswax, 2 tbps of cocoa butter, ¼ cup of almond oil.
To prepare: Melt beeswax and cocoa butter in a pan over medium heat. Stir the mixture constantly to prevent burning. Add the almond oil once the above two mixtures are melted. Cool the mixture once everything is mixed together. Once it’s safe to touch, use a dry, clean cloth and apply some of the mixture onto your leather bag.
Text: Janice Sim, Additional text: Sean Tham/Her World
This post was last updated on June 2, 2023.