Leather accessories and shoes of good quality have the advantage of lasting a long time. It is a product that you will use frequently and for a number of years and is normal to get dirty and will need cleaning.

How to clean leather is one of the most common questions that is asked when selling leather shoes. In general the answer is the same no matter what accessory is going to cleaned but we wanted to make a special mention for shoes and very clear leathers. There is no exact formula that works for all types of leathers.

For example suede should be treated differently than normal leather. So if you are not entirely sure what type of leather you are dealing with, we recommend that you always start the process in a not so visible corner, and thus, if you make a mistake it will not be catastrophic.

How to clean a leather bag in 3 steps

1. Clean the bag from the inside out. Empty all the content and then apply the cleaning solution inside the bag with a soft cloth.  Mix two glasses of water with two drops of colourless delicate hand soap. When you have finished with the interior, begin to clean the exterior, remember to use a damp cloth.  One does not want excess water in your leather bag or purse.
2. Use a dry cloth to remove any excess water. Let the bag dry as long as necessary. Never use dryers or direct sunlight.
3. Once your leather accessory is completely dry, proceed to apply the protective cream. They sell specific products for leather, we recommend that you use these as they are more effective and really make a difference in keeping the leather of your bag soft and protected. Use a circular motion and always remember to be gentle when cleaning or nourishing your bag, do not apply too much pressure. Pay special attention to the areas that suffer the most such as the handle, the corners or where your bag has the most friction. And voila! Bag clean and ready and to !!

the same can be applied to any leather accessory that needs cleaning. Belts, wallets, purses and shoes.

How often do I have to clean my bag?

This will depend on how often you use it. Remember, when you are not using your handbag, store it in a cotton bag. However, if you use your bag on a daily basis we recommend that you treat the leather once every three months.  It may sound like repeated advice but prevention is always better than cure. If your bag is always nourished and protected with the specific leather cream, it will rarely get dirty.

Another tip that we recommend is that you do not use your leather products right after you have put on hand cream, this has the potential of causing grease stains.

How to clean leather in 5 steps

The process to clean shoes is very similar to that of bags, we only need to add two extra steps.

1. Before starting, if your shoes have laces, take them out. This not only allows you to clean each corner of your shoe better, but also prevents the laces from staining.  Run a fine shoe brush to remove any excess dirt that might be on the shoe but also on the sole so that no paste is generated when you apply the damp cloth with soap.
2. This is the same step as cleaning your handbag, the step with cleaning your item with soap. Follow the same advice, don't use too much water. If possible, clean the insole and wash the laces separately.
3. Remove excess soap and carefully dry the shoes and allow to air dry.
4. Use a colourless shoe cream or shoe colour and apply in circular motions across the entire surface of the leather. This will protect it from future stains, nourish it and improve its colour. If the seams are of a different colour and you use a coloured cream, be very careful.
5. Let the cream dry for a few minutes and then with a new clean, dry cloth, polish the shoe to give it a shine and remove any excess cream left.

How to clean white leather

White leather bags need more care and cleaning than darker coloured ones. Cleaning brown or black leather can be done every few months, but not the case with light leather. However, prevention is always key. Try wiping it dry and soft once a week to prevent dust and grease from accumulating in your white leather bag.

Never use bleach, vinegar, or baby wipes. Use the same products that you use for your other bags. You should only do the cleaning more frequently to avoid staining or yellowing.