How to Keep Your Leather Purse Looking Brand New

A leather purse is not just a purse; it is more than accessories. It is a very essential but underrated part of our daily life. With proper maintenance, you can easily boost the longevity of your purse while keeping its charm and beauty intact. On the other hand, a leather purse needs some extra attention, as without proper maintenance, leather can lose its shine, dry out, or easily crack. If you are a leather purse lover or just casually use leather purses in your daily life, then this blog post is perfect for you; you will explore some basic yet effective tips to make your purse brand new for many years.

Properly store your leather purse

To maintain the longevity of your purse, storage plays an important role. Using a dust purse is a simple technique to keep your leather purse safe from scratches and dust. When purchasing a leather purse, ensure it comes with a protective cover. If it doesn’t, a cotton pillowcase makes an excellent alternative for keeping it safe. Moreover, you need to avoid using plastic purses during storage, as they could trap moisture, which can cause mildew and mold. To keep its proper shape intact, you could stuff your purse very lightly with soft fabric and tissue paper. Also avoid using newspaper, as its ink could transfer onto the leather. Always position your purse upright and prevent it from being squashed by other belongings, which is the perfect strategy to retain the original appearance and structure of the purse for long time.

Regularly clean your purse

Leather always needs daily cleaning. For weekly cleaning, you could use a dry, soft cloth to remove dirt and dust from the purse. On the other hand, for deeper cleaning, you may use a damp cloth and properly clean the overall surface. You need to keep your purse away from any kind of harsh chemicals, such as acetone, alcohol, or any other ammonia-based cleaner; as these can easily damage the leather surface. You can also choose leather cleaners, which are particularly made to clean leather products. One thing you need to keep in mind is that before using any new product on any leather surface, test it on a small amount of the hidden part of the purse to ensure it is not reacting adversely. To maintain the natural sheen of the purse, regular cleaning is a must, and it keeps your purse away from grime buildup.

Condition the leather

Over time, leather can easily dry out, and leather products easily become crack-prone and stiffness-prone. Leather conditioner is perfect to deal with this condition; applying the conditioner every few months keeps the overall material supple and soft for a long time. You can use it in a pea-drop amount and apply it with a cloth in a circular motion. Buff the leather with a dry cloth post-conditioning to bring back its shine and smooth appearance. You can also get help from a professional leather upkeep specialist for conditioning and deep cleaning of your purse. If your leather purse is heavily used or aged, a professional restoration service can effectively restore its original condition.

Keep the leather dry and avoid water damage

For your leather purse, water is one of the biggest threats. To safeguard your purse from any moisture, you can use leather protector spray that makes proper barriers against water or any kind of moisture. During the rainy season, try to avoid using a leather purse, or in case you get caught in the rain with your leather purse, keep it under an umbrella or inside a waterproof purse. Don't worry if your leather purse still becomes wet, dry it with a soft towel and keep it aside to dry naturally. Direct sunlight and hairdryers can severely dry out your leather purse, resulting in cracks and damage. So, avoid exposing leather to high temperatures, as it can cause cracking and deplete its natural oils.

Try to use your purse with clean hands

Frequent contact with oils, lotions, and dirt from your hands may stain your leather purse. To prevent this problem, you need to wash your hands before using your purse, particularly if you have already applied lotion and makeup to your hands. Frequent handling of your leather purse can transfer dirt and oils to its surface, so minimize unnecessary contact to keep it clean.

Be mindful of pens and makeup

Tossing uncapped pens, makeup, or perfumes into your purse can cause unwanted stains and spills. These items can create permanent stains as these products have a high chance of leakage. To prevent your leather purse from any type of spills and damage, you could use small pouches to store liquid products, cosmetics, and pens separately.

Protection against scratches

Scratches are very difficult to remove from leather, which is why it is very necessary to stay cautious during regular usage of your leather purse. Placing your purse on rough surfaces can result in unwanted scuffs and wear, so you need to handle it with precision. No direct contact of any sharp objects (keys) with your leather purses is recommended; keep jewelry away from direct contact with your purse to prevent scratches and damage to the leather surface. Using a separate compartment and a key holder for those items is very effective in preventing your purse from any marks and accidental scratches. Eventually, regular usage of the same purse is responsible for faster wear and tear. To boost the longevity of your favorite leather purse, you can switch different purses regularly. To maintain the proper condition and shape of the purse, you have to keep it in a dust purse when you are not using it.

Remove stains quickly

While spills and stains may occur, addressing them immediately can protect your purse. For oil stains, you could use baking soda or cornstarch. All you have to do is sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the affected area and let it sit a whole night, then brush it off the next day. For ink stains, gently press a cotton swab and rub alcohol onto the stain to help remove it. For watermarks, gently blot the excess water with a dry cloth and let your purse air dry naturally.

Proper maintenance of a leather purse doesn’t have to be complicated. With regular cleaning, proper storage, and a little attention to detail, you can keep your purse looking brand new for years. Handle your leather purse with love, and it will reward you with timeless elegance and durability.