Protecting and Caring for our beloved BEs

[valkyrie360]

I'll start this thread off with my own ritual which begins right after removing my new beauty from it's packaging and gawking for a few minutes. I know that I will want to carry it right away, so I quickly whisk it up to my closet for a thorough dousing of Vectra 16 waterproofing spray http://www.vectraspray.com/order.htm from the recommended distance (not too close). I will also give a quick spray to the inside because, you never know. Now I don't know if this is the "best" choice for waterproofing, but it is the one recommended by Chanel SA's and several BV girls use it, so I figure it's up there, if not the best. After it's dry, optimally, (though sometimes I can't wait ), while laying the tags flat so they won't drip, I then put a clear coat of nail polish on the crystals to cement them in place. When that's dry, I put another coat on just for good measure! In another 8-12 hours of me doing multiple walkbys because I can't get over how beautiful she is (usually accompanied by forcing myself not to touch while the all stuff is drying) she's ready to go out into the brand new world!

I haven't done it yet, but several of you condition and have had great success with lovinmybags products. I am going to order the ProTreatment and give it a whirl. http://www.lovinmybags.com/shop.html. I would think every 6 months would be good for this, though I haven't read the product labels, so please confirm for yourselves.

Good luck and happy leathering!

[paintednightsky]

Great idea for a thread valkeyrie since this topic always pops up! :) My ritual is slightly different. I'll have to try that spray someday.
1. I use Apple Conditioner as soon as I receive the bag. I use it on the terry cloth they provide and rub it in good all over. This is the first step to make sure it's absolutely clean and conditioned. Wait an hour or more. While doing these steps, I hang the bag on a hanger with the straps in the nooks on the bathtub liner hook.

2. I use 2 coats of Wilson's TLC Spray waiting about 2 hours inbetween. I wait a long time inbetween to be super sure it's dry, plus I don't really watch my bags and usually sleep between coats lol

For clean ups I use Wilson's wipes which are so handy!!! Or I use the Apple Cleaner. I have the Apple spray but I prefer Wilson's over Apple spray. Apple is sooo much stinker compared to Wilson's and harder to control it seems. It also makes scary wet marks on bags! lol It seems to dry but I don't like looking at the wet marks which Wilson's doesn't do as much.

I do this with all my bags. I figure better safe than sorry! I don't know why some people hesitate on protecting but it is really in the bags best interest :) It doesn't make the bag loose it's smell or shine or anything at all. It looks the same as before it is sprayed. Just thought I'd add that for people afraid of spraying. I have never damaged a bag from spraying with my method.

[TropicalGal]

I just spray my bags with a waterproofing spray I picked up in a shoe store. Nothing fancy.

I'm a great believer in letting leather live and take on its character. That's what makes leather...leather!

You ladies all read my post on my Choco Take Me Away Weekender, that got drenched its first day out with no spray or care whatsoever. It dried up nicely and continues on.

On my dusty choco Stroke Me, occasionally I'll put some Cole Haan shoe cream...just to moisturize it a bit.

I'm a low maintenance gal!

[Cornflower Blue]

I'm glad you mentioned about the shoe shop waterproofing spray, because that's exactly what I do too! Sometimes I will use a neutral shoe cream as well.

I've treated scuffs before now just with ordinary shoe polish in the approximate right shade (not on a matte leather so far), and although it doesn't get rid of them completely, it does help to blend it all together.

[audball67]

I'll use either the Lovinmybags pretreatment (this was before protreatment came out - so either I'm not using enough on my bags, or I own too few bags LOL!) or the Apple Conditioner first and then finish with the Apple Protectant (one or two coats with light spraying).

The only bags I don't treat this way are my crunch leather (Tano) and my black crash IM - don't know why, but I only used the spray protectant on her....

[paintednightsky]

audball I protect my tano and black crash. I think I'm "super" overly protective of my bags lol! I was thinking though for matte leathers it'd be better to spray because of the molding of leather factor that I've heard about. I wouldn't want my bag to mold as it ages. The leather still takes on much character as it ages but it keeps a barrier. All of my bags are still quite smooshy regardless of the spray.

[kings_20]

I start by rubbing my BE's with a mink conditioning oil (on my glossy BEs). I wait for that to dry than I mist a light spray of water protectant. That's it!!

With my dark grey midi, I used a leather moisturizer all over than I misted on a light spray of protectant.

[lovebags2]

Hi Ladies,

Please forgive me if I"m repeating a past thread here, but I thought it might be useful especially for newbie's (or just for our quick reference) on your favorite way to protect, clean and/or condition your BE handbags.

What are your favorite products? Lovinmybags, Cadillac Spray etc...?

I've heard good things about Boston Leather Care. I think this is the one that Jackie uses.

As you can see, I"ve never treated any of my BE handbags, but will be getting ready to do so soon (tan weekender, overnighter)!

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[mariabdc]

What a useful thread... My choco SMM has been treated with Lovingmybags productos by her previous owner and she is holding up very well... but then i tend to babysit all my bags, so there is really no abuse on any on them...

[djfmn]

I use LMB products (lovinmybags) as I live in Minnesota where the weather is challenging in the winter months so I give my leather bags lots of TLC to protect them. I love the For Handles Only which I use when I first get the bag it prevents the oils in your hands from being absorbed onto the bag handles and making them darker in color than the rest of the bag. I also use the Pro treatment which helps protect the leather and the moisturiser. I use the cleanser every 3 months or so or as needed depending upon how often I use the bag.

[Bali_Girl]

Well - By now many of you know I tend to structure the things I do (lol!), so hopefully it's no surprise to you that I have a regime I follow with all of my bags!! I'm glad to post this as many ladies have asked me via PM what products I use and how I care for my bags.
This is a long post, so apologies in advance!!

...My regime goes like this:

Each BE bag usually arrives in its own box. I extract the beautiful black sack and take a moment to peer at my new bag through the plastic wrap... then off it comes and the lovely perfumed leather scent unique to BE bags fills the air. I take in the moment...breathing in, breathing out....ah the scent...it's intoxicating!!

Next up is the inspection: I look the bag over, thoroughly inspecting it to make sure it meets my expectation....

Off to the the work room. I treat each new arrival to a "Spa Day" after such a long and hard trip to my doorstep!

I use Lovin My Bags (LMB) products and only those products.
Here's their link: http://www.lovinmybags.com/
Why?
1. They work on the PH of the leather - Which is important in order to ensure that the underlying fibers are not damaged.
2. They are environmentally safe products
3. LMB specializes in restoration of high-end leather bags with Balenciaga being their specialty. Their leather care products are specially formulated for high-end leather handbags, which is not the same as saddle leather, boot leather, canvas, etc.
4. These products smell great! They have a natural, mild scent..like vanilla, that complements the unique BE leather scent we all love!!
5. This is a woman owned "indie" business run by Barbara Crouthamel and Gary, her husband who is a Leatherologist and responsible for the formulation and manufacture of LMB's wonderful products.

The initial Spa Day consists of:
1. Application of "Feel Soft Moisturizer" to all leather surfaces. This adds moisture to the leather and facilitates the "slouching" and "puddling" - i.e., the bags gets softer faster. Dry, then Buff.
2. Application of "For Handles Only" on rolled handles such as the I'm Yours style bags. Definitely NOT on the LM stacked handles though... The "For Handles Only" product protects the handles so they don't get permanently stained, darkened or soiled from use. Instead, they stay clean and fresh looking. Apply to the handles, use a hair dryer to Dry, then Buff.
3. Application of "Pro-Treatment" to all leather surfaces. This product is a leather protectant. It repels both water and oil. Dry, then Buff.
4. Application of "Daily Shine Restorer" only on the Glossy leathers - I use this 24 hours after "Pro-Treatment". This product returns the shine to the glossy leathers.

Ongoing Maintenance:
I clean the bags periodically as needed using the "Gentle Daily Cleanser. After using the "Gentle Daily Cleanser" I normally use the products described above again. There's also a "Deep Cleanser" product that I keep on hand in the event I get a real bad soil mark/stain.

[Tash1]

Bali.....your review made me crack up!! Woman, what are you on?? Or is it the smell of the BE leather that has completely driven you insane!! LOL!!!

Are you serious, this is what you do with all your bags??! And, honey lets face it, you have one hell of a collection!!!

[Bali_Girl]

Tash - I think I need an intervention......!!

Originally Posted by Tash1

Bali.....your review made me crack up!! Woman, what are you on?? Or is it the smell of the BE leather that has completely driven you insane!! LOL!!!

[Tash1]

You need a bloody shrink!!! (joke!)

[*suzi*]

Bali - I am so impressed with you! I am an insanely hard worker at home and on the job, but that's about all I can seem to handle. I am just a mess when it comes to the extra things like taking care of my bags. However, I did finally condition and spray my BE's last month. I feel like that is a step in the right direction. I hope some of your good practices will guilt me into being a bit better with them.