Purchasing a new leather bag is only the first step of your journey. To maintain the buttery-soft feel and develop a beautiful patina, you’ll need to learn how to care for your leather bag. Drawing on 40 years of experience, we’ll guide you through the necessary care steps to take care of your leather bag so that it can last a lifetime through all of the daily wear & tear, travel plans, and more.

Read on for our top leather care tips for bags.

There are various types of leather, each with unique attributes and specific care instructions. Before you begin any maintenance care, you must know which type of leather you’re working with.

At Latico, we use full-grain leather, the highest-quality leather. It’s durable, resilient, and features the complete, unaltered hide – blemishes and all. Because it’s made from the outermost layer of the hide, and is minimally processed, each bag has its own unique patterns & imperfections that contribute to its one-of-a-kind character.

Top-grain and genuine leather are the other two most common types of leather used to make handbags. Top-grain is similar to full-grain, but the surface has been sanded to remove imperfections, giving it a more uniform appearance. The other main type is genuine leather. And contrary to what the name suggests, it is not the highest-quality leather. These materials have been buffed & polished to create a uniform look.

Each of these types require different care techniques – let’s explore each of these further in depth.

Your leather bag will accumulate dust, dirt, and other surface debris with use. But you don’t want the dirt, grime, and oils to build up, or they’ll shorten the lifespan of your accessory.

Start by dusting your leather bag regularly with a soft, dry cloth. This simple habit can prevent dirt particles from embedding into the leather's pores. If your bag has a lining, ensure to empty and shake it out regularly to prevent crumbs or dust from accumulating. And whenever your bag isn’t slung around your shoulder, we recommend storing your bag in a dust cloth bag. That’s why most Latico leather bags come with a free anti-dust bag to protect it from extreme heat, humidity, and direct sunlight.

In the event that your bag does manage to collect dust, gently wipe it away with a soft, dry cloth. Even if you’re storing it in the dust cloth bag, this simple habit can ensure that dirt particles don’t make their way into the leather pores.

From coffee splashes on your hands-free crossbody bag to rain water on your everyday tote, there’s bound to be an accident along the way.

When this happens, you need to clean it as soon as possible. Use a soft cloth or paper towel to wipe off any excess debris, then wipe the area down with a barely damp cloth to remove any surface dirt.

In addition to stains, it’s important to clean your bag regularly. There are different solutions & techniques recommended for each type of leather, let’s explore those here:

• Full-Grain – Use a damp cloth or paper towel to clean your Latico bag to avoid stripping the natural oils. A heavy cleaner can damage & discolor the bag, ruining the aging process.
  
  

• Top-Grain – If you opt for a lower-quality, top-grain leather, you may be able to use a cleaner to remove stains. Make sure to choose one that’s free of alcohol & other harsh chemicals though, as this will be the least likely to damage the leather.

• Genuine – Genuine leather isn’t technically “real” leather; it’s a blend of multiple leather products. If you decide to clean it with anything but a damp cloth, choose a pH-balanced cleaner that isn’t excessively soapy or oily. Our Latico bags are made from full-grain leather (the highest quality), which don’t require any kind of cleaner.

Full-grain leathers like Latico products don’t require regular conditioning, but other top-grain & genuine leathers might, depending on the quality. It nourishes the leather, replenishes the natural oils, and prevents it from drying out and cracking.

First, you'll need to choose the right leather conditioner. For top-grain leather bags, use a conditioner that doesn’t have any waxes, silicones, or petroleum distillates. These ingredients may temporarily improve sheen, but they may also clog the pores, limiting the bag’s breathability. For genuine leather, lower-quality conditioners are sufficient, as the protective layer limits the conditioner’s penetrative abilities. A lighter, non-oily conditioner will provide some level of conditioning without leaving a greasy residue or damaging the material.

And for sustainable full-grain leathers, like those from Latico, we recommend brushing over the area with just your fingertips – the natural oil on your hands doubles as a natural conditioner. The bags contain oils & waxes that can move & melt when exposed to higher temperatures, similar to melting candle wax. Simply rub into the scrape with your fingertips and the warmth of your hands combined with the oils will slowly activate the natural leathers in the bag to melt the imperfection away.

If you choose to use a leather conditioner, we recommend spot testing on an inconspicuous spot before applying to the whole bag. Apply conditioner sparingly and evenly, letting it absorb into the material, then wipe off any excess with a clean cloth.

Go ahead and take your leather bag with you on every adventure, late night out and trip to new cities. Every bump, wear, and crease can be taken care of and make your bag that much more unique to you!

If you still have questions about how to care for your leather bag, our team would be happy to help out! Check out our FAQ page to answer even more of your questions or reach out to us directly via email at info@laticoleathers.com!