Fine leather goods have become increasingly popular in the fashion industry. Runway models are wearing more leather belts, bracelets, and backpacks than ever before, and big name fashion designers such as Versace, Fendi, and Gucci have been pushing leather tote bags for women. As a fashion conscious consumer, you may find yourself buying more and more leather products. These items are durable, but expensive, so it is important to understand how to properly clean them. If you are finding that your leather accessories are wearing down, you have come to the right place. Read on to learn how to care for your leather goods.

Easy Ways to Care for Your Leather Products

1. Read your labels.

You may actually be wearing more leather than you think! In fact, wearing four leather products at any given time is the average for consumers. Plus, leather goods are becoming more and more popular, so you may find that the fashionable items you are buying consist of additional leather accents. It is also important to know what type of leather each product you are wearing consists of. There are different care instructions depending on the thickness of your leather. For example, tote bags for women tend contain thicker leather since they are meant to be more durable in order to carry all your necessary belongings. This type of leather also tends to be of the highest quality, which means it is more vulnerable to spills, stains, and scratches. Understanding the type and quality of leather you are dealing with is crucial to the care process.

2. Leave the leather alone with eating out.

Everyone enjoys a nice greasy, oily, fast food meal every once in a while, but this can do damage to your leather goods. Make sure you thoroughly clean your hands before handling your leather accessories to avoid soiling due to grease and oil. Cleaning your products every six months, or more often, is crucial to protect your items from soiling and water spotting. Items most susceptible to this type of damage include leather belts, tote bags for women, and leather satchels for men. Keep your napkin placed over your belt during the meal to prevent any spillage, and stay away from your purse or bag by placing it on the floor near your feet or on the back of your chair where food cannot reach. Remember to take out your phone or any other item you need during the meal before it starts.

3. Do not dry it out.

Your leather products are in a constant equilibrium with the surrounding environment. This means that if your house is humid, your products will be more moist, and if it is dry, your products will be more dry. The issue with leather goods is that they can become desiccated when exposed to low humidity levels, below 40%, for long periods of time, meaning they lose their moisture and become dry and cracked, irreversibly changing the fibrous structure of the fabric. For example, tote bags for women may be left at the top of a closet for months on end if other purses are being used more often, or if the bag is out of season. If the closet space is too dry, the leather totes could be ruined forever! Try to measure the humidity levels of the areas you are planning to store your leather products, and keep dehumidifiers away.

If you found these tips helpful, consider reading the labels of your leather products and changing your habits to keep them clean. We all know that items like tote bags for women, leather messenger bags, and mens satchels are expensive, so keeping them spotless is key to staying on budget. Just remember to leave your leather alone when eating and keep your leather in a humid environment. Enjoy your leather products and treat them well, so you can stay the fashion conscious consumer you truly are!