Leather Aftercare
AFTERCARE
Our leathers are sourced from the best tanneries in the world. We use only premium grade leather which are chosen for their unique characteristics, beauty and quality. Our suppliers adhere to strict production and environmental impact codes.
We are highly selective and the result is a product that will last a lifetime.
Treated well your leather products should last a lifetime - Our leather age gently over time, colors naturally change and darken and each piece develops a distinct and unique character. Here are a few tips to keep you items looking at their best...
Color Transfer - We suggest rubbing with a clean dry cloth to check periodically - you can treat the leather with a neutral leather cream if the color transfer persists. Also be careful not to let pigment from dark colored clothing (such as denim) transfer to your bag during prolonged contact.
Breaking-in period - Leather is a natural product and after the tanning process some pieces may be slightly stiff to start with. The leather straps will soften up after a few weeks depending frequency of use. Occasionally treat with a leather conditioner to maintain suppleness.
Stretching - Do not overfill a bag. Leather stretches out, but not back and it will never really return to its original state. If you stretch a leather bag when wet or very humid, it will move even faster. Carry just the right amount and this takes care of itself.
Cleaning - Just use a damp cloth. Don't use any soaps or foreign substances. Fresh stains such as spilled liquids or food should be cleaned up immediately. Keep cosmetic products and pens in pouches inside the bag to avoid leaks.
Weather - Try not to expose your product to extreme weather conditions, sun and rain in particular as direct heat or sunlight over prolonged periods may cause the leather to crack and color to fade unevenly.
If leather gets too wet, dry it slowly. Speed drying leather changes its chemical structure, and you end up with stiff crinkle cut chaos. So aim for room temperature drying with gentle air rather than direct heater time with a hair-dryer. And keep it in the shape you want it to end up, as leather will remember the shape it was when wet.
Conditioning - Regular conditioning will prevent the leather from drying out and keep it supple, particularly if it has been exposed to long periods of hot sun or dampness. Always apply product to the cloth first rather than directly onto the leather and always test a small discrete area such as the base first.
Marks and scratches - Natural finish leathers - rub with a little pressure from your finger which replaces the natural oils. Ink marks, grease and oil stains are usually not removable and should be left alone or taken a professional cleaner.
Hardware - Nickel plated items will just need buffing up occasionally with a dry cloth. Brass and copper plated items can be polished with a metal cleaner. Mask off the leather areas around the fittings as metal cleaner will cause permanent damage.
Storage - Keep the dust bag your product came in for storage. To prevent mildew, never use a plastic bag and store in a cool, dry place with air flow. If storing for a long period, undo strap buckles, fill with stuffing (such as bubble wrap) to help keep shape and prevent wrinkles and cracks.