How to Care for a Leather Bag: Cleaning, Storing and Keeping It Looking New
A full-grain leather bag needs very little looking after. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth, keep it out of direct heat and sun, stuff it and store it in its dust bag when it is not in use, and let it dry naturally if it gets wet. That is most of it. This guide covers the rest: cleaning, marks, storage and the different finishes, plus the questions we are asked most often.
Everyday cleaning
Dust and the general grime of a handbag's life come off with a soft, dry cloth. Do this every few weeks and you will rarely need anything more. For a mark that will not shift, dampen the cloth with a little lukewarm water and a drop of mild soap, wring it almost dry, wipe the area gently and then go over it with a clean, dry cloth. Use as little water as you can and never soak the leather.
Full-grain leather is the top layer of the hide with the natural grain intact, which is why it wears in rather than wearing out. Small scuffs often fade with a rub of the thumb. A leather conditioner, used sparingly, keeps it supple, but test it first on a hidden spot such as the underside of a strap tab and leave it a day to see how the colour settles.
Inside the bag
Every bag we make is lined with an easy-clean interior, so a leaked lipstick or a burst pen is a wipe rather than a disaster. Empty the bag, wipe the lining with a damp cloth and leave it open to air. Doing this promptly is the whole secret; the stains that set are the ones left for a week.
Pen, oil and water marks
Pen marks are the most common and the most urgent. Dab, do not rub, with a barely damp cloth as soon as you notice. Rubbing spreads the ink. Oil and grease need the opposite approach: do not wet it. Blot off what you can with a dry cloth and let the leather absorb the rest over a few days, which full-grain leather usually does without a trace.
If the bag gets properly wet, take everything out, blot the outside with a towel, stuff it loosely with tissue to hold the shape, and leave it to dry at room temperature. Keep it well away from a radiator, a hairdryer or a sunny windowsill, because heat dries leather too fast and leaves it stiff. A light shower will not harm it at all.
Storing a leather bag
When a bag is not being used, empty it, stuff it loosely so the shape holds, and put it in the Pom Pom London dust bag that came with it. Keep it on a shelf rather than hanging by the strap, which stretches the strap and pulls at the fittings over time. Away from direct sunlight is the rule, because sun fades leather unevenly and a bag stored on a windowsill for a summer will show it.
Do not store leather in a sealed plastic bag or a damp cupboard. It needs to breathe. If you rotate between several bags, keep each one in its dust bag on the same shelf, so the one not in use is always put away properly.
Straps and hardware
A strap takes more wear than the bag itself, because it rubs against a coat all day. Every bag comes with two free straps of your choice, and swapping between them spreads the wear so neither gives out first. Swapping takes seconds and you can add more from the straps collection. Gold hardware keeps its shine with the same soft, dry cloth.
Suede, patent croc and leopard print
Suede is the exception to the water rule. It should never be wiped with water. Use a suede brush, working in one direction, to lift dust and raise the nap, and keep it well away from rain where you can. See the suede collection for the finishes this applies to. Patent croc and leopard print finishes are the easiest of all and simply wipe clean with a soft cloth. Plain leather in a dark colour, such as the bags in our black collection, hides the odd mark best, while tan and brown leather develops a richer colour with wear.
For the full list of finishes and what each one needs, our care guide is kept up to date. You can browse every style, in every finish, in all bags.
Common questions
Can I use baby wipes on a leather bag?
Better not. Most contain ingredients that dry leather over time. A soft cloth with a little water and mild soap is safer.
My leather bag got wet. Is it ruined?
Almost certainly not. Blot it, stuff it, let it dry naturally at room temperature and it will be fine. It is drying it by a heater that causes the damage.
How often should I condition a leather bag?
Once or twice a year is plenty for a bag in regular use. More than that and the leather can become over-soft. Always test on a hidden spot first.
Does the warranty cover wear and tear?
Every bag is covered by our 365-day warranty. If there is a fault with the bag in its first year, get in touch and we will put it right. Normal wear is a sign of a bag that is loved, and full-grain leather tends to look better for it.
Looked after this way, a full-grain leather bag will last for years. If you are choosing one now, our guide to what size crossbody bag you need is the place to begin.
