Real leather purses are a great investment albeit expensive. Even though they bear a hefty price tag that can make the best of us clammy they do last for a long time, and their elegance only enhances as time progresses. Moreover, they have unmatchable quality, one that faux or synthetic leather cannot replicate, try as it might. For your leather purses to last a long time you have to take measures to protect them and care for them.
Even though leather is a durable material, it is not immune to the elements of the environment, therefore proper care is a must for your leather to last long. In this article, we will discuss how you can clean and care for your leather purses. So, hold on to your Berkins and Louis as this is going to be one heck of a cleaning spree.
Cleaning and Caring for a Leather Purse
5 Crucial Steps to Clean Leather Purses
Step 1: Remove Debris – When cleaning your purse, the first step is to remove all the items that you have inside your purse. In case your purse has a lining, turn it inside out and use a lint brush to remove all the hair, dirt, debris, etc.
Step 2: Spot Test – Keep in mind that whenever you try a new cleaner or a conditioner on your leather, you must do a spot test first. Once you have removed all the items from your purse, and have cleaned it of all the debris, the next step is wiping it clean with a leather cleaner. First of all, apply a small amount of leather cleaner to a discreet area of the leather purse to see if it will react or not. If there is no adverse reaction, you can proceed.
Step 3: Apply Cleaner – Once you have done the spot test and are satisfied with the result, take a soft, lint-free cloth, and apply a bit of leather cleaner to it. Then wipe the surface of your purse with the cloth. Make sure that you apply the cleaner to every inch of the purse. Pay extra attention to the cracks and crevices.
Step 4: Allow the Purse to Dry – Once you are done cleaning, allow your leather purse to dry naturally for a few hours. The recommended time is 24 hours.
Step 5: Apply Leather Conditioner to the Purse – The last step of cleaning a leather purse is to apply leather conditioner to it. Once your purse is dry, take a soft, clean cloth, and apply a small quantity of Whites Pearl Leather Conditioner to it. Massage the conditioner on the leather in gentle circular motions. This step will restore and rejuvenate your purse. Routine conditioning can save your purse from harsh environmental conditions and enhance its lifespan.
Removing Stains from Leather Purses
Most of the stains on your purse will come off when you wipe it with the cleaner in the third step. However, if an ink stain plagues your lovely leather purse you will have to soak up the stain first with a lint-free cloth. Once the ink is soaked up, use a mild soap and water to gently clean the stain. Keep in mind to not rub the stain as it will cause it to spread. In case it is a makeup stain that mars the surface of your leather, clean it by dabbing at the stain with a natural baby wipe.
If your purse has a grease or oil stain, use cornstarch or talcum powder to remove it. Pat in the powder and let it sit on the oily stain for at least a few hours, preferably overnight. Afterward, grab a brush and dust off the powder from your leather purse. If there is some powdery residue, you can wipe that away with a clean cloth.
Storing Leather Purses
When storing your leather purses, or other leather items, make sure not to store them in plastic bags, this is because plastic can stick to the surface of leather and can pull off the outer layer, ruining the item. Moreover, plastic also tends to trap moisture that can lead to mold, milder, and also yellowing of white leather. Therefore, instead of plastic use a dust bag or an old pillowcase to store your leather purses. They will keep your leather purses safe from the elements of the atmosphere and prevent dust from building up. To not distort the shape of your leather purses during storage, stuff them with tissue paper.
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