How to clean a leather bag? Care guide

Maintenance, stain removal, scratches… We have the answer to all your problems!
Our leathers are "naked" and unlike the majority of leathers on the market, they are not covered with a plasticized or resinous layer of paint.
This means that your beautiful leather bag will develop a patina and become even more beautiful! (We don't know about you, but we say yes!)
This also means that in the event of a stain, there is no plasticized surface to act as a barrier. Stop! Don't even think about it! We advise against using waterproofing sprays. Although they are initially designed to protect the leather, their effectiveness is very limited over time, they change the feel of the leather, and an uneven application can have the opposite effect and permanently stain your leather bag. On top of all that, they are harmful to your health (endocrine disruptors and nanoparticles) and to the environment.

But don't worry, beautiful non-plasticized leather is easy to clean when you know how to go about it.

And we're sharing all our secrets with you!

Wine or coffee stain
Stubborn stain
Grease stain
Scratched or scuffed leather
Care for aged leather
Last-resort solution

How do you remove a wine or coffee stain from leather?

If we told you that just water could be enough, would you believe us? And yet... you should!

In the event of a stain, the best solution is to act immediately, so head to the nearest sink and adjust the temperature to get lukewarm water (neither hot nor cold).
Then we go for it, you shouldn't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
Finally, let it air dry. Do not place it on a heat source such as a radiator or hair dryer.

You will be surprised by the result!

How to remove a stubborn stain from leather?

Did cleaning with water not work? Don't panic!
Read through all the steps carefully before you begin cleaning. It will require a bit of dexterity and patience.

Get our care kit. You will need the special leather sponge included in it.
Stretch the leather well so that the sponge passes over it effectively. You can do this on your ironing board, just as you would with a shirt.
Slightly dampen the sponge.
Make a single back-and-forth motion without scrubbing, applying barely any pressure, to the area to be cleaned. Let it dry to see the color and gauge the next swipe of the sponge.
If necessary, repeat the process a second or even a third time.

NB: Be extremely careful; although it may not look like it, the sponge is slightly abrasive. This means you need to find the right balance to remove the stain without fading the color of the bag.

Goodbye greasy stain on my leather bag

A grease, food, or other stain can happen quickly. To get rid of it, you will need Terre de Sommières.
This fine clay is renowned for its ultra-absorbent properties.

For greater effectiveness, start by ‘reactivating’ the fat by warming it slightly with a hairdryer.
Then, cover the stain with a mound of Terre de Sommières.
Leave to rest like this for at least 72 hours without touching.
To remove the Terre de Sommières, blow and dust off.
Ta-da!

I scratched my leather bag

You’re going to say we’re repeating ourselves, but once again our care kit is going to save your life! Inside, you’ll find a sheepskin mitt. The warmth and gentle friction of the wool will buff the leather and significantly diminish the scratch or scuff on your leather bag or wallet.

1. Using the fleece side, make small, gentle circles over the scratch/scuff.

2. Then make increasingly larger circles while applying more and more pressure.

NB: sheepskin softens scratches by developing a patina. Remember to treat the entire surface to avoid uneven patinas.

How do you maintain distressed leather?

Leather is a living material that needs to be nourished regularly.

Start with a discreet and inconspicuous area (for example, under the bag).
Apply nourishing leather milk using a soft cloth, such as a chamois.
Once the surface is dry and the leather has fully absorbed the milk, buff the leather with the sheepskin included in the leather care kit.

NB: this operation should only be performed after a few years, once the leather has truly aged. This procedure will nourish it, restore the vibrancy of the colors, and soften it.
Please note, the cream is very nourishing! It will darken the color and make the leather shiny. You will lose the velvety finish.

The last-resort solution

If none of the above solutions have managed to clean your leather bag, or if it has become heavily stained or deeply soiled, the last-resort solution is to put it in the washing machine.
Please note, this final method will significantly fade stains and dirt, but it will also give your product a more vintage and worn look.

Run your bag on a short cycle (ideally 15-20 min, 30 min MAXIMUM), at 30 degrees, with a spin cycle. Do not add detergent or fabric softener; the wash must be done with water only.
Before drying your bag, stuff it with cloths and towels so that it dries in the correct shape. Do this carefully, as your bag will retain any creases it may form while drying.
Then, air-dry your bag (do not use a radiator or hair dryer).
Once completely dry, apply nourishing lotion with a soft chamois cloth over the entire surface to soften the leather, which will have stiffened in the machine.
Once the leather has finished absorbing the milk, buff it using the sheepskin.
If necessary, repeat the polishing process.