Leather ‘Spa’

Top tips for keeping your leather goods in tip-top condition.

Beauty that’s more than skin deep…

Our products are carefully handcrafted, from the finest materials, to the highest standards. Rather than use leathers with 'cover up' finishes, we choose leathers that have a natural radiance that penetrates to the core and will develop an inimitable patina with use and time. We select hides that are as ‘clean’ from blemishes as possible, while embracing that they are from animals that have lived a life. Natural markings (its ‘birth marks’ and ‘laughter lines’, as we call them) are part of the character of honest-to-goodness leather.

Like bespoke tailoring, any bag worth it’s salt has as much going on the inside, if not more, as it does on the outside. Unstitch the lining of a bag of quality and you’ll find a good ‘bone structure’ of interlinings, backers and reinforcements to add shape, support and strength where it’s needed. In the same way that you’d always hang an expensive jacket on a coat hanger, a bag will keep its good looks for years to come if you follow these simple steps:

Routine Care

Never get your leather bag excessively wet:

If it does get caught in a monsoon or dropped in a puddle, remove the contents and pack it with absorbent paper. Let leather dry naturally… do not dry on or near direct heat such as radiators, fires or Agas! Follow with our Cleanser and Moisturiser and Protector, to restore.

Be careful how you store things in your bag:

Our lining is designed to repel small spills… if one happens, quickly pull the lining inside out, remove any excess by dabbing with absorbent paper (kitchen roll is best). Do not scrub. Sponge it with a clean damp cloth avoiding contact with the leather. Remove excess with clean absorbent paper and leave to dry before tucking back inside the bag. Avoid over packing- in the long term this can stretch the leather, strain the stitching or stress the zips. Make sure sharp objects such as scissors, shoe heels or nail files are packed so not to poke into the lining or leather.

Retain its moisture content and keep it clean:

Dehydration and dirt build up are factors that aggravate creases and eventually cracking of the leather. Regularly wiping over the leather with a soft damp cloth will help preserve its suppleness and youthful good looks.

A rest is as good as a change

Just like a good suit or a pair of shoes, your bag will benefit from an occasional rest from everyday use. Give it a clean then pack it loosely with paper. Put it in its linen dust bag (never in a plastic bag) and store in a place where it won’t get crushed, and away from direct sunlight or dry heat. Keep a good moisture level. We advise keeping a small bowl of water (somewhere it won’t get spilt) close to the heat source in the area you store your leather shoes and bags. Some natural leathers may develop a white ‘bloom’ when unused for a long time. These are natural waxes and oils in the leather coming to the surface. Give the bag a good polish with a soft dry cloth to restore it to its former glory.

Repair

We all know the phrase ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ but sometimes finding an expert you trust to do a spot of nip & tuck is nigh on impossible. If, at some point down the line, your bag needs a pit-stop to get it back into service we are happy to carry out refurbishment and minor repairs for you. Please contact us at service@bowndesigns.com for more advice.

A&E

However much care we take with our possessions sometimes the worst happens. A lipstick melts, a budding engineer disassembles your ink pen, a dog gets the urge to chew. No one knows our product better than us, so please contact us first for advice. We can’t guarantee it but there might be something we can do to help.

Refurbishment

Fats and oils are sealed into the leather during the tanning process, giving the leather its supple handle and depth of colour. If your leather starts to look dry or feel stiff it is likely to be getting de-hydrated. It may sound controversial, but many so-called leather ‘nourishing’ waxes and creams actually do more damage than good. Although they superficially restore the colour and make it ‘glossy’ they contain solvents and silicones that leave a sticky residue. This sometimes gives it an unnatural, plastic-y feel but worse, actually attracts dust and dirt to the leather.

Love your bag with our Leather ‘Spa’ treatments*:

We have got together with a leather technology expert to offer you our own leather care products. All are water-based, and have been specifically formulated for use on our leathers. They have been thoroughly tried and tested to give superior results.

  • Bown Foaming Cleanser & Moisturiser – Gentle, water-based and foaming to help lift dirt without saturating the product. Use it from time to time to clean your leather goods, boosting the moisture content at the same time.
  • Bown Leather Protector – provided in a spray to ensure a light, even covering which is much better for leather than applying heavy creams. It will help protect against dirt and stains and enhance the effectiveness of the cleaning process.

Click here to view the Leather 'Spa' Kit in full detail.

What about cleaning the Metal Parts? All of our solid brass hardware has been lacquered to prevent tarnishing and should not need polishing. Surface marks can be removed by buffing with a soft dry cloth. Avoid using any metal polishes or harsh cleaners on the metal parts, which may remove the lacquer and discolour or stain the surrounding leather.

* Our advice and care products are designed for use on Bown products only. If you choose to use on other products, please test a small inconspicuous area first.