Just don’t blame me if it doesn’t turn out well! But for reals, I don’t think people need to be so scared of vachetta. My bag seems to be mostly dry now and looks fine! LV is resilient! That said, I wouldn’t do this if your goal is to remove vachetta stains. I can still see water marks and some stains on my bag now that it’s mostly dry. There are less risky ways to get the same result I think. I only did this because I’m a major germophobe and also because I was curious.
My LV washing experiment
- Thread starter muddledmint
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As a fellow germaphobe, this thread was awesome to see and I commend your efforts. The bag looks incredible!! I'm really happy that this bag can now be carried free of worries about what it might have picked up in its past lives.
That is good to know about the smell! Because now that it is mostly dry, despite my best efforts, I can still smell it if I stick my nose in. This is my first preloved vintage lv so I had no idea. I bought this bag just for this experiment knowing that I would be ok if it was destroyed in the end. So far, I’m pleased with the results. I’ll update tomorrow with more photos.
Adding to say, I hope someone will tell me for my peace of mind that all that brown water is just dye?? Because I still want to vom when I think about it.
I wish I had seen a picture of the brown water- there is something so satisfying about cleaning something and seeing the dirt - I’m weird I guess - or have been cleaning things way too long
Wow! I too have been fascinated by this thread. What stands out for me is how blimin tough these bags are! I can honestly say I'm not sure I have one bag in my closet that would get through something like this without being completely ruined, let alone look BETTER afterwards!!
I'm still trying to decide on my next high end purchase. I was going to go for another Chanel but now I am thinking I want an LV. Loads of people carry them where I live so I'm always thinking something different but this thread has really impressed me with their toughness!
I'm still trying to decide on my next high end purchase. I was going to go for another Chanel but now I am thinking I want an LV. Loads of people carry them where I live so I'm always thinking something different but this thread has really impressed me with their toughness!
Does it mean you dont use/recommend any conditioner/cleaner on vachetta? Just asking because I know that you know alot about Louis
I’ve seen your posts everywhere in this forum haha.
I post too much.Does it mean you dont use/recommend any conditioner/cleaner on vachetta? Just asking because I know that you know alot about Louis
When the bag is newer (let’s say the first ten years), I recommend not applying any product to the leather. It slowly develops a patina from use, which is the beauty of this untreated cowhide.
Vintage bags sometimes require a leather moisturizer, depending on the condition of the vachetta. I keep that for old bags only.
These are the things that LV craftsmen recommend. I’m old school but it’s worked great for me.
I post too much.
When the bag is newer (let’s say the first ten years), I recommend not applying any product to the leather. It slowly develops a patina from use, which is the beauty of this untreated cowhide.
Vintage bags sometimes require a leather moisturizer, depending on the condition of the vachetta. I keep that for old bags only.
These are the things that LV craftsmen recommend. I’m old school but it’s worked great for me.
And if you get caught in the rain, would you recommend wiping the new vachetta with alcohol free wet wipes? What’s the first aid?
Just wipe it dry with a soft cloth immediately.And if you get caught in the rain, would you recommend wiping the new vachetta with alcohol free wet wipes? What’s the first aid?
Ok here’s a sneak peek. I’m waiting to take full pics tomorrow when I can get photos with similar lighting to the before pics. It survived!