Q. Dear Jordan,
Since you are pretty much my go-to DIY guru, it is for this reason I am writing to you today. I recently bought what was a gorgeous Steve Madden satchel purse, but I cannot find a product that will condition this bag. I’ve tried mink oil, Coach’s brand of leather conditioner, I even spot-tested some Lubriderm on it and so far nothing works.
I am at a loss, and my bag is not so slowly losing its gorgeous [finish] thanks to this unbearable heat. Do you have any suggestions on how I can keep my bag looking new? Is there any product that you use or know of that you think might help?
Thanks a million!
Stephanie
A. Hey Stephanie!
Shoot, I wish I had a miracle product to tell you about…but honestly, I always just treat my leather products (like the Foley & Corinna bag pictured above) with Aldo’s leather spray pre-wearing, and then allow them to get worn over time because I actually like the look of broken-in leather more. To me, as long as you keep the handles and hardware in good condition (or replace the handles as they wear out), you’re OK.
I’m not really certain what you mean when you say that nothing “works” – are the products you’re trying just not making much of a difference? You’re not going to see a huge change when you apply conditioner – the point is more to keep it from breaking down over time in an unsightly way (cracking, scratches, etc), sort of like how applying moisturizer to your face is a good idea in the long-run, but not an instant miracle-worker. Leather will soften up and get more “rustic” looking regardless of what you do, so your goal should be just to keep it supple, not perfect.
You said that the summertime is causing more of an issue – could it be that the products you’re putting on your body (sunscreen, moisturizer, etc) are depositing oils onto the surface of your bag? If that’s the case, try tying a pretty, light scarf to the bag and using it as a barrier between the leather and anywhere it might be rubbing against your bare skin.
Basic leather care tips:
– Clean off smudges and dirt with a damp cloth and condition it (as you’re doing – just make sure you’re using a product specifically for leather)
– Waterproof the piece with a leather-specific product, and let it air-dry if it gets rained on
– Store it in an upright position, not crushed into a corner (wrinkles and such will set in over time)
I hope that helps!
J
