Care of your Hayden Harnett

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by melvel

Ladies I need help. I have an Inka in Chalk, and the color from a black top transferred to the back of the bag, and I've never been able to make it pristine white again! I've tried Magic Eraser, art eraser, Apple cleaner...all to no avail. I love this bag to bits, but I can't use it that often because I cringe everytime I see the now faint stains. What's the best way to clean this? I live outside the U.S., so i would really appreciate products that I can order online.

Mel, Please read post #11 in this thread. Since you have already damaged the leather and Chalk has an underlying blue-grey base, you may have removed most of the the black stain along with some of the leather surface, revealing the base color. I believe Apple cleaner may contain conditioners that sealed your fate. That is why I recommend Lexol pH to clean, followed by non-oily conditioner. I don't hold out much hope for correction of mistakes like yours and wish I had a time machine for you.
Start over with Lexol cleanser, then ~
Chalk can be touched up with plain old fashioned nurse's white (not shiny) shoe polish followed by a buffing to cover residual faint smudges.
Alternately, a little pure zinc oxide mixed with water to make a thin paste can be rubbed in by hand.
I would not ordinarily suggest this, but now that you've scratched the bag with that Mr Clean.....and
IF you are not attached to the MATTE quality of Chalk, a real polish might help by filling in the abrasions, smoothing it like makeup. You will have a slightly glowing finish, but can layer the white (or zinc oxide) under a Meltonian white polish topcoat. This has a secondary advantage of being resistant to future staining.
*just google lexol and meltonian to find these for sale on the net.

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by temo

Stormy, do you think this would be "cleanable"? (Looks a little scary - denim transfer on white leather!) http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...lenotsupported

Tem, you know I don't believe in buying someone else's trouble !
You could do as I explained to Mel,
Lexol cleanser to start and go from there as needed.

{please let this be the last denim transfer question !!!}

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by fleurdelis816

Hey all! Just want to add my thanks to Stormy for all the wonderful advice and tips!! I noticed while reading through this thread that Stormy says the main thing to keep in mind is WHAT TYPE of leather your bag is and that will determine how to care for it. I saw some posts referring to this leather or that leather...but no one post (or few posts) that listed all the types we might be dealing with and specifically how to care for each. Did I miss it? If so, could someone please link me to it or point me there? If not, would a post of that be possible? And if this doesn't make sense, let me know and I'll clarify!

You are obviously psychic !
I had written a question at the bottom of my last post on the 8th then deleted before posting... The question was:

Would you all like me to make a reference thread of HH leathers ?

The information is all here in the subforum, but scattered according to bag style and year. I think searches would reveal what you are looking for, for example a 'gaza' search will take you to many posts about the washed lamb, or 'lagoon' will tell you she's nakkie. Likewise Mercer-washed, etc.
So, Yes, you made sense and I totally get what you are asking for. Thank you for understanding the core care concept !
Because HH uses so many different leathers and changes them on the same styles, we could use a Master list now.
For now, try searching by your style or color name, and I'll work on a Master list as I have time available. I have previously covered all the leather types, so you can search by those specific terms in the whole subforum (glazed, vegtan, metallic, naked, distressed, patent ,pearlized etc) as well. In this thread, I discuss pertinent properties of the particular leathers as questions arise to help explain optimal care for a given situation
A complete Leather Cross Reference is a big project, which is why I had decided to wait for a request. We'd have to compile each of the color names by leather type, and cross it to the style and seasons .It would help if good close-up photos could be provided.
Like I said, the trick is knowing your leather.

Again, for your appreciation !

[mlinky]

^^^^ Wow stormy, that would be fantastic! Thanks for taking it on!!

[fleurdelis816]

Originally Posted by Stormy Heart

You are obviously psychic ! I had written a question at the bottom of my last post on the 8th then deleted before posting... The question was: Would you all like me to make a reference thread of HH leathers ?

Haha! That's too funny, Stormy! I like to think of myself as a bit psychic, but I doubt it. Thank you for working on a thread of this magnitude! We ALL will appreciate so much I am sure. Meanwhile, I'll keep searching this thread. But SO much for all the knowledge that you share with us! I'm so glad I found this place and this forum

[temo]

Stormy, that would be so wonderful!! You're the best!
(Any purse lover needs all the info they can get on leather and leather care!)

[hokka]

Originally Posted by Yatri

I'm not sure what chemicals you are referring to (I used the plain eraser). Unless you are talking about the apple care cleaner?

yatri,
i believe the mr. clean magic eraser (plain and otherwise) contains /is made of chemicals/other stuff, which will soak into the leather and damage it in the long run. at least, i think that's what stormy meant.

[mlinky]

I'm sure Stormy already knows this, but we Hotties need to be more careful about exactly what product we are talking about. Back in the day, we used to call the white art erasers, "magic erasers." http://www.dickblick.com/products/sa...ic-rub-eraser/ Mine is by Staedtler Mars. http://www.staedtler.com/Mars_plastic_gb.Staedtler Then Mr. Clean came up with that cleaning pad that is called a "magic eraser." http://www.mrclean.com/en_US/products/eraser.shtml

I believe that the white art eraser can be used carefully on leather. The Mr. Clean is very bad for leather.

[stylin' mom]

Hi...new hh addict...i need help with my new bag...it has a light brown leather (I think it's called luggage, not too sure), and it already has a grease stain on it...you know, when your hands have residual lotion or something...NOT super greasy, but it has a print now in a couple of parts...what do I do?????

[vintagehope]

Hi everyone! I'm popping in here for the first time, because I just purchased my first HH bag! It's a Cordovan Tharpe in brand-new condition. I've read through the thread and am planning on ordering some Wilson's TLC protectant spray and also the conditioner for down the line, but I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of leather the Cord Tharpe might be? I don't believe it's a nude leather, but it doesn't seem treated with much to me. Then again, I'm a total leather newbie. I hope to make this bag last many many years, so I want to be sure I prep and treat it right!

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by stylin' mom

Hi...new hh addict...i need help with my new bag...it has a light brown leather (I think it's called luggage, not too sure), and it already has a grease stain on it...you know, when your hands have residual lotion or something...NOT super greasy, but it has a print now in a couple of parts...what do I do?????

Luggage is one of the Mercer-Washed Leathers (naked) so......
I have good news and bad news for you. First, it will absorb oils readily. so normal oil removal methods are useless. Second, (here's the good part) Washed leathers were born in water and CAN BE WASHED ! I have described the process previously in this thread but the short version is; Use a vegetable based SOAP - keep a damp edge- rinse well with clear water dampened cloths - blot well- - air dry.
Luggage will get a slight patina (darken a little) over time, blending normal wear marks into it's natural variations of color, so you may want to leave it alone and just enjoy the bag. What style do you have ?
and last but not least ~ to our corner of the world !
l

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by vintagehope

Hi everyone! I'm popping in here for the first time, because I just purchased my first HH bag! It's a Cordovan Tharpe in brand-new condition. I've read through the thread and am planning on ordering some Wilson's TLC protectant spray and also the conditioner for down the line, but I was wondering if anyone knew what kind of leather the Cord Tharpe might be? I don't believe it's a nude leather, but it doesn't seem treated with much to me. Then again, I'm a total leather newbie. I hope to make this bag last many many years, so I want to be sure I prep and treat it right!

Another HH !!!
I am so happy to see our new Hautties checking in here !

Cordovan is not a nudie, it's a full grain leather. You're right, it is not 'finished' (top-coated). Cordovan is tanned with plenty of natural wax, so has an inherent protection. If you search the thread, you'll see where we first discovered marks rub right out of cordovan ! It is the best leather HH has used since the original Saddle and Olive. You can spray with Wilsons if you like, but I did not treat any of my Cordovans and they are fine. A little TLC once in a while should be plenty. That bag will outlive you.

[stylin' mom]

Hi Stormy!...I have been told that you're the woman with all the answers!!! Thanks for the info...I have a mercer clutch with the handle and strap that is luggage, while the rest is a canvas material...no throwing it in the washer, right??...so, what is vegetable based soap?...sorry, but I may sound stupid, but I just don't want to make the wrong move and ruin it...this will clean it, but will it take away the oil stain, or am I doomed forever? Do I need to treat it, or just let it be?...

so when you say leave it alone...I may not want to stress about it and let it age naturally? let the oil stains happen? sorry if I sound like a crazy person, I realize that this oil thing will happen again, and again...nothing to protect it from this, right?

thanks for dealing with paranoia....until then, I will search for that posting that you mentioned...which member was it to?

thanks so much for all your help!

stylin' mom

[vintagehope]

Originally Posted by Stormy Heart

Another HH !!! I am so happy to see our new Hautties checking in here ! Cordovan is not a nudie, it's a full grain leather. You're right, it is not 'finished' (top-coated). Cordovan is tanned with plenty of natural wax, so has an inherent protection. If you search the thread, you'll see where we first discovered marks rub right out of cordovan ! It is the best leather HH has used since the original Saddle and Olive. You can spray with Wilsons if you like, but I did not treat any of my Cordovans and they are fine. A little TLC once in a while should be plenty. That bag will outlive you.

Thanks so much for the warm welcome!! I really appreciate your advice. Even more excited to break out the bag now. Woohoo!

[Stormy Heart]

Originally Posted by stylin' mom

Hi Stormy!...I have been told that you're the woman with all the answers!!! Thanks for the info...I have a mercer clutch with the handle and strap that is luggage, while the rest is a canvas material...no throwing it in the washer, right??...so, what is vegetable based soap? *...sorry, but I may sound stupid, but I just don't want to make the wrong move and ruin it...this will clean it, but will it take away the oil stain, or am I doomed forever? Do I need to treat it, or just let it be?... so when you say leave it alone...I may not want to stress about it and let it age naturally? let the oil stains happen? sorry if I sound like a crazy person, I realize that this oil thing will happen again, and again...nothing to protect it from this, right? thanks so much for all your help! stylin' mom

*Any vegetable based soap ( DrBonner's, Neutrogena, Pears) is fine for light cleaning of leather if you don't have Lexol cleanser handy.
NO detergent type cleaners!
You have a gorgeous bag and spot cleaning by hand will work on the cloth part and the trim. I have never seen really good pictures of it, would you post for me the inside and close ups of the bag , please ?
Is it the washed twill of Gaza or a linen ? I think because of it's structure and hardware, it is not a machine-washable candidate.
For now, give the whole thing a good spray protector,
If you always use hand lotion, yes, it will happen until the whole handle has evenly darkened. (You will not be able to remove the oil stain) Since you expect a lot of hand lotion marks, cleaning up every time is impractical.
Relax, Luggage is a casual leather!
If you want an alternative to constant cleaning, you can condition the leather with a lotion to darken and even out the spots and hasten the patina.You will lose the delicate color but gain some ease of mind regarding spots. In fact, an oily leather conditioner applied sparingly to small areas at a time with your fingertips, then wiped down with clean soft cloths, could be your best bet. (It's a way to pre-oil stain the leather evenly) Just understand that this method WILL CHANGE the color to a saddle brown and be careful not to get any on the natural linen/canvas.
Post some pictures before you make a move, OK ? As I said before, you can just spray it and let your handprints be part of your bag. Keeping the white clean is more of a challenge,
As a precaution, make sure your hand lotions are not mineral oil based.
I hope this helps....
BTW, you heard right, I have washed Mercer leather in my machine,,,