From journals to handbags, purses, and wallets, your leather goods no doubt cost a pretty penny and you’re invested in keeping them for the rest of your life. Well, the good news is that this is perfectly possible!
Everyday Care
You’ll need to put time in every day to keep your leather items in top knick.
Leather is skin, so it stretches. Minimise this kind of damage by avoiding putting too much in your handbag, purse, or wallet. This will help maintain their original silhouettes.
Take extra care with the products you use most frequently and wipe away dust and spots with a soft cloth or brush as and when you see them. Scratches can seriously detract from even the most flawlessly crafted piece so try to avoid contact with chunky jewellery, heavily embellished clothing, and sharp surfaces when you’re out and about.
Wet leather will require extra care so keep an eye on the weather forecast and remember your umbrella. Air your goods out frequently as well so you can get rid of unwanted odour.
Store Your Goods Safely
Proper storage is the easiest way to prevent leather damage and maintain a high-quality finish. Always store your products away from direct sunlight so they don’t fade and remember that fabulous handbag you got after your big eSports betting Australia win? Put it in a dust bag so it doesn’t get scratched! Try not to use plastic bags for anything though, as they make good ventilation impossible.
And keep your stuff away from artificial sources of heat because these will make your leather dry and crack.
Heavy Handbags Are a No-no
As tempting as it may be to ensure that you’ve got everything you could possibly need every time you leave the house, don’t do it!
Pack only the bare essentials and make sure you empty your handbag out every time you get home, so it keeps its original shape. If you’re not using it for a little while, take the time to fill it with acid-free, plain tissue paper and wrap hardware like clasps and zips in the same so that they don’t create unwanted imprints in the fabric.
Then you should cover your handbag, preferably in the dust bag it arrived in, since these are cut to the right size to avoid warping and squashing. If you don’t have the dust bag anymore, a white cotton pillowcase is a good substitute, but remember that coloured fabrics may transfer onto the leather.
When it’s covered, put it out of direct sunlight and away from artificial sources of heat, standing it on its base rather than hanging it up by its handles, which can stretch it. Additionally, choose a spot with enough space so that the handles can stay up without impediment so that they don’t get bent out of shape.
And, since you’re taking so much care at home, why not extend this attention to detail to your other environments? Invest in a good hook to keep things close to hand and off rough floors and dirty surfaces.
