Maintenance tips

For a leather accessory

Your leather bag or wallet is as robust as it is fragile. Therefore, it is recommended to maintain them regularly to ensure their longevity. Here are 3 steps to restore your leather to its former glory:

Step 1: Clean

It is essential to start the maintenance of your leather with the cleaning step, choosing the product suitable for the material:

  • For smooth leather: using a soft, slightly damp cloth, apply Marseille soap or makeup remover in circular motions on the surface.
  • For greasy leather: clean the surface with soapy water.
  • For suede or nubuck: dust the surface with a soft brush.

Step 2: Nourish

Nourishing the leather is crucial to preserve its beauty. Over time, the material naturally develops a patina, giving it that unique character we know so well.

Regardless of the type of leather, it is important to nourish it with shoe polish or special leather moisturizing cream… or not. The moisturizing cream found in your bathroom is just as effective.

Note: to nourish patent leather, apply a drop of cooking oil to the surface and dry it immediately.

Step 3: Protect

While cleaning and nourishing the leather may seem obvious, protecting the material is also essential in the maintenance of an accessory.

Protecting leather starts with waterproofing: to avoid rain stains, choose a waterproofing product suitable for your type of leather. Also, keep it away from sunlight, heat, and sebum, as these can promote discoloration and the appearance of stains. Finally, pay special attention to the storage of your leather bag: when not in use, store your accessory in a fabric bag or a pillowcase, and keep it upright on a flat, clean surface. Be sure never to hang it, as it may become deformed.

For a canvas accessory

To clean a canvas bag, prefer hand washing rather than machine washing, which is more aggressive.

For hand washing, follow the steps below:

1. Dust off your bag by shaking it and/or using a dry cloth.

2. If there are stains, scrub the surface with a brush or a soft cloth, Marseille soap, and lukewarm water, then rinse with clear water.

3. Let your bag dry in the open air, on a flat surface. It is not recommended to hang it with clips as it may become misshapen.

For machine washing, follow the recommendations below:

- Choose a "hand wash" program.

- Remove the shoulder straps and accessories from the bag before putting it in the machine.

- Protect your bag with a mesh bag or a pillowcase.

- Use a small amount of detergent and a short cycle.

- Do not spin your accessory in the machine, as it may get damaged. Let it dry in the open air.

For a nylon accessory

Nylon is a water-resistant material. However, be careful not to use water that is too hot, as it may leave marks on the surface. Just like with canvas, it is preferable to clean your nylon bag by hand. To do this, use a "homemade" product to pre-wash your accessory; for example, mix one cup of cold water with 30 mL of dish soap. Then follow the steps below:

1. Scrub the stains on the nylon surface using your "homemade" product and a toothbrush. Make circular motions, and foam should form to eradicate the stains.

2. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

3. Dry by gently patting the nylon.

Note: if your nylon bag has leather handles, it must be washed by hand. Indeed, the handles should not be submerged in water; to clean them, gently rub them with a cotton pad soaked in makeup remover or polish.

For machine washing, follow the tips below:

- Use a "cold wash" program.

- Use very little detergent (about half the amount usually used for a machine).

- Set a normal cycle, just like for a clothing machine.

- To remove a grease stain: if it is fresh, apply talcum powder or flour to absorb it. If it is an older stain, apply slightly damp Marseille soap, let it penetrate for an hour, then scrub, rinse, and dry.

For a synthetic (or faux leather) accessory

Synthetic material bags require little maintenance. To clean your accessory, wipe it with a damp cloth mixed with a little neutral pH soap, then dry the surface with a dry cloth. Never rub your synthetic bag, as it may deteriorate.