How to Preserve Leather Handbags

Keep your leather handbag in mint condition.

Preserving a leather handbag is all about prevention. The more you take care of your bag before it becomes damaged in any way, the more likely it will live on long past it's gone out of style. And if you manage to keep the bag in good condition for 20 years, it will likely come back in style. Follow simple steps of preventative care to ensure your purse stays in mint condition long enough to become a classic.

Things You'll Need

• Purse
• Wool or silk dust bag
• Leather protectant spray
• Leather soap
• Clean rag

Instructions

1. Spray your purse with a leather protectant before you ever use it. Buy protectant from the purse seller or from a drug store. Lay out newspaper, spray the entire outside of the purse and let it dry overnight.

2. Monitor the weight of the purse's contents. Many large leather bags are larger than the weight capacity that the straps are designed to hold; just because the bag can fit your laptop doesn't mean you should carry it in the bag. Don't overweigh the bag, and don't hang it by the straps when you aren't using it.

3. Pay close attention to hardware like zippers, buckles and buttons. When you see thread unraveling or leather being worn away, bring the bag to a leather repairman at once. Small, early, preventative fixes will save money in the long run and help you avoid expensive repairs like zipper replacement or bag reconstruction.

4. Avoid placing your bag on the floor at restaurants, stores or elsewhere. Placing your bag on the table is the best choice, but if you must keep your purse near, use the back of your chair or carry a tabletop purse hook.

5. Store your bag in a cool, dry place inside of in the silk or wool dust bag provided when you purchased your purse. Dry air and dust won't damage the bag over time.

6. Clean any stains or spots immediately with soft leather soap if permitted by your purse's care instructions. Early treatment is key to removing potentially permanent stains.

7. Wash your hands when handling the bag. Grease and sweat from your hands or body can rub off onto the leather and darken the strap.

Tips & Warnings

• Use pens with caps and always replace them before tossing them into your bag. Even click pens can leak and stain the lining of your purse. Sometimes the stains can seep through the lining onto the leather.

• Keep makeup in small makeup bags within your bag to ensure no leaking or spilling can stain the bag's lining.

• Weatherproofing a leather bag is not always enough to prevent water stains from ruining expensive leather. Bring a plastic bag with you to protect your leather purse in the event that you're caught without an umbrella in a downpour.

References

• Leather Goods Connection: Leather Care
• Jarnagin Co.: Leather Preservation