The Case to Leave Alone

[sdkitty]

I guess companies don’t want to risk their customers coming back with ruined bags, complaining that “you told me it was ok to clean it with ___!”

Some even have their own branded products that they recommend, but they can be hit or miss too. Like coach cleaner/conditioner. I once bought a store brand shoe conditioner along with boots (can’t remember the name, it was in Italy), and it ruined the boots.

I’m now wary about applying anything to my bags except Cadillac, but the funny thing is that I’ve actually been doing a lot of research into car detailing products because I’ve been pondering what to use on old lv coated canvas. The coating is some type of plastic (pvc or pu), so I wonder if this is where a car product might actually do some good? Most car leather conditioners are actually formulated for leather AND vinyl/rubber because car seat leather is coated with a type of plastic, and they can be used on most car interior plastics as well to prevent cracking and fading. I’ve read about people using armor all in bags, but armor all is actually scorned by car detailers nowadays and there are much better rated products available now.

most people here will say never use Magic Eraser but someone used it on an LV bag (vachetta handles I think) with good results

 

[CrackBerryCream]

Thank you for sharing this! I'm also a firm believer of leaving new bags alone. There is this person on Instagram who always sprayed every new purchase (bags, shoes) immediately with waterproofing sprays. Showing it in her stories and then pouring water over the items to show how well it works... also someone who frequently sells her bags that she doesn't use enough. It always made me cringe.

 

[Mirus’ Dream]

As you know I would in favour of leaving until really needed.

I have Chanel bags (lamb or calf - no caviar). I literally just wipe the lamb over with a microfibre cloth before and after using.

Do you dampen the microfiber cloth?

 

[papertiger]

Do you dampen the microfiber cloth?

There's no need with a microfibre. The fibres are so fine and fluffy they act like a very fine brush and dust/dry dirt just sticks to the cloth. If you dampen, the dust and dirt will just stay mostly on the surface of the bag and smear all over.

In fact, on boots and shoes. If there are mud splatters, wait until the mud is 100% dry before brushing. It's about whisking the particles away and building the resistance of the leather (which is why shoes are shined - shiny means clean and resistant).

 

[leechiyong]

I feel compelled to add that there is one thing with this method that needs to be done, which is to use the bag. Natural oils won't develop otherwise and it just becomes rife for permanent damage that way. I've seen too many bags ruined that were "only used twice in three years."

 

[880]

Agree with @leechiyong. I use my bags. I don’t touch lambskin, and I don’t think it’s all that delicate either. Lambskin IMO only gets more lustrous, softer, and glowing as it ages. I send heritage leather to professional spa such as a third party professional like @docride. I also use H Spa, as needed. None of my bags have ever been rejected by H Spa, but if one wishes to be absolutely positive that H spa will accept uour bag, the majority of TPF opinions strongly urge using H SpA exclusively.