How to Maintain Leather Bags and Keep Them Looking New

by Albert Varkki updated 10-29-2024

One of the biggest fears for anyone investing in a premium quality leather bag, is that they want it to last for a long time.

Maintain leather and keep it looking new

This makes sense right? As if you're spending a good amount of money on something you want it to be worth it, and give you the length of use that matches the price you paid. It's also nice to not have to bother replacing things too often, so maintaining your bag to keep it looking nice is a must. So here we have our top 5 ways to keep your leather bags looking brand new.

1. Start Right - Protect Your Bag Straight Away

One of the biggest mistakes people make is to only start protecting their bag when it shows its first sign of wear. This isn't the best way to avoid weathering, and you should start protecting your bag as soon as you get it. By using something like leather protection cream regularly from when you receive your bag, it can help to add a protective layer to the leather and ensure that it keeps looking great and avoids damage over time.

2. Regular Cleaning

For day to day cleaninig, a simple wipe with a damp cloth can remove plenty of issues, however it is well worth investing in a professional cleaning of a well used bag every 2-4 months, to ensure your bag remains in great condition. This is especially true if you wear your bag to work, as the daily use will have an increased impact of the wear of the bag. This applies to all business bags too, especially those that travel with you, such as briefcases or laptop bags.

3. Stuff It!

No that's not an insult, it's a great idea to stuff your bag full of bubble wrap or old clothes to keep its shape when not in use. This helps to keep your bag from flopping down and becoming weak over time, keeping it looking smart and new.

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4. Stop The Dust

Dust bags can be a great way to stop a build up of dirt and dust in the hard to reach parts of your bag. If you don't have a dust bag you can use old pillow cases.

5. Let The Strap Do The Work

The oils in skin can degrade the handles of your leather bag, and so you should avoid spending long periods holding the handles directly. That's why many of the leather bags we stock (such as messenger bags) have shoulder straps, which can be used whilst on the go to avoid overusing the handles.

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Author: Albert Varkki

Albert Varkki is the co-founder of Von Baer. He understands leather products as a consumer, supplier, and a manufacturer, helping you with the inside knowledge you need, to choose the perfect leather product for you.

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