How to care for your leather bag

Full-grain leather is built to last a lifetime. With a little attention, your bag will only get better with the years — softer to the touch, richer in colour, and unmistakably yours.

01Everyday handling

Leather lives. Oils from your hands, sunlight, and the simple act of carrying it all contribute to the patina that makes a well-loved bag distinct. Don’t treat it as something fragile — treat it as something that will age alongside you.

Empty the bag at the end of the day so it keeps its shape.
Avoid placing it on the floor in wet or dirty conditions.
Rotate between bags if you can — leather benefits from a day to rest.

02Cleaning

For day-to-day dust and light marks, a soft, dry cloth is all you need. Wipe in long, gentle strokes following the natural grain.

For something more stubborn, dampen a clean cotton cloth with lukewarm water, wring it out thoroughly, and wipe the affected area. Let the leather air dry away from direct heat.

A note on soap. Most household cleaners are too harsh for full-grain leather. If you feel a deeper clean is needed, use a dedicated leather cleaner sparingly, and always test on an inconspicuous spot first.

03Conditioning

Leather, like skin, can dry out over time. A light conditioning once or twice a year is usually enough — more often if your bag sees heavy use or lives in a dry climate.

Apply a small amount of neutral leather conditioner to a soft cloth.
Work it into the leather in small circular motions.
Leave for a few minutes, then buff gently with a clean dry cloth.

Less is more. Over-conditioning can darken the leather and leave a tacky finish.

04Rain and water

A few raindrops won’t harm your bag — in fact, water marks fade as the leather dries and is handled. If your bag becomes thoroughly wet:

Blot (don’t rub) excess water with a soft towel.
Loosely fill the bag with paper to hold its shape.
Let it dry slowly at room temperature, away from radiators or sunlight.
Once fully dry, condition lightly to restore moisture.

05Storage

When your bag is not in use, store it somewhere cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. Stuff it loosely with acid-free tissue or a soft cloth to help it keep its silhouette, and place it inside the cotton dust bag it arrived in.

Avoid plastic covers — leather needs to breathe. Sealed plastic can trap moisture and lead to mildew over time.

06Scratches and patina

Small scratches are part of the character of full-grain leather. Most surface marks can be softened simply by rubbing them gently with a clean fingertip — the natural oils from your skin will blend them into the surrounding leather.

Over the months and years, the bag’s colour will deepen and the surface will develop a soft sheen. This patina is not wear; it is the leather’s record of being used and loved.

At a glance

Do

Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth.
Condition once or twice a year.
Store in the dust bag, stuffed loosely.
Let wet leather dry naturally.
Embrace the patina.

Don’t

Use household soaps, alcohol, or wet wipes.
Dry near radiators, hairdryers, or in the sun.
Store in plastic.
Overload the bag beyond its natural shape.
Worry about every little mark.