How do you care for your leather bags?

Liz

I have a nice leather handbag that is looking worse for the wear, but am unsure how to care for it. I'd love to restore the original color (light gray), as the dye is rubbed/fading. And I think I probably need to give it a regular conditioning or protecting. But I"m really clueless, and online searches are only turning up generic information.

How do you care for your bags? Do you have any products you swear by? Any special ways of cleaning or stories of what not to do?

9 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Anonymous

I use an excellent leather conditioner once a year (purchased from at a shoe repair store). That seems to do it for me. With the exception of one pair of Rockport shoes all of my leathers have kept their colors (no fading).

9 years ago

Diana

Veteran

I use my doc martens wonder balsam. It's really good at removing little scuffs and things like that, plus it adds a little water resistance.

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9 years ago

Liz

Veteran

Thanks, Diana -- that's very helpful.

Sterling, do you know if that "excellent leather conditioner" has a brand name or was it a proprietary brand your shoe place carried?

9 years ago

Anonymous

Liz -- it was something that my shoe repairman recommended. The one I currently have is called Lexol Leather Conditioner. I have used others through the years. I remember using mink oil. Mink oil was a solid and not that easy to use. Lexol is very easy to use.

I condition all my leathers at least once a year (purses, shoes). Those pieces that get used a lot more often are conditioned more often.

9 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Honestly, I barely do anything with my leather bags, but I switch out bags frequently enough that no single one of them shows too much wear very quickly, with one or two exceptions. Just like with my leather shoes, I'll use a bit of leather cleaner when things are starting to look a little grimy or scuffed. My shoes require more attention than my bags.

9 years ago

Liz

Veteran

Thank you Sterling!

Janet, I think the "buy and use more bags" approach sounds like the most fun!

9 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

I also use Lexol and it's great - I used to use it on horse tack. But be aware that it makes leather a lot softer - so if you have an item that needs to keep its structure, it might not be best. I've also used it on shoes that I want to break in.

My daily leather bag gets so badly treated. I shove it into my backpack, leave it in dusty/dirty places like my workshop... I should find my Lexol and clean it up.

9 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I use Lexol Conditioner and also Blackrock Leather n Rich. I initially bought Lexol at my Subaru dealer for my car seats, but then started buying it at my local shoe repair shop. I've bought Blackrock at my shoe repair shop and then at a saddlery shop when the shoe repair stopped carrying it. Amazon carries both. Whereas Lexol is kind of watery, Blackrock has the consistency of very soft butter and initially makes the leather darker. It's fantastic for old Coach bags. I need to condition my bags a lot since I live in a desert. I usually use Lexol and then after it's dry use the Blackrock, using it sparingly. If you use too much it will be kind of sticky for awhile, but then will eventually be absorbed.

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9 years ago

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