Leather Handbags and Shoes- caring for them

When it comes to leather handbags and shoes, the care given to them has to be different from that given to rubber or suede items. The reason is that leather wears tend to react very easily to the variations in temperature especially in temperate regions like Africa ( of which Nigeria is a part of). Not only is heat the enemy of leather items, water is too; so preventive measures to make sure that leather doesn't get wet is a must.

There are a number of water and stain repellant products on the market and treating your goods before using them is a great first step. Bear in mind that this won't make them 100% waterproof though, so try not to use your leather goods in wet conditions!  

Leather in general is quite porous, and it will loose moisture through evaporation. However, constant absorption and loss of moisture can create a wear and tear of the leather.

Leather is a natural material, and like all natural materials, it has its vulnerabilities. When exposed to high levels of moisture, leather can absorb it, leading to the growth of mould and mildew. Over time, this not only causes an unpleasant smell but can also lead to permanent discolouration or cracking.

Humidity doesn't just affect the surface of your bag - it seeps into the fibres, weakening the structure and shortening the bag's lifespan. That's why it's crucial to protect your leather bags from humidity, especially if you live in an area with frequent damp conditions. The last thing you want is to see your favourite leather pieces slowly deteriorate due to something as simple as improper storage.

Tips to preserving leather shoes:

i. Keep them away from direct sunlight Leather fades faster when exposed to sunlight. If it is kept out of direct sunlight, it will fade naturally over time. Sunlight can lead to drying and cracking. Ideal places to store leather footwear are darker places with some humidity, with slight ventilation to avoid formation of mildew.

ii. Avoid keeping socks in shoes: Shoes wear off faster if socks are kept inside the shoes as they leave a pungent smell leading to bad odour that transpires into the socks worn with the shoes.

iii. Don’t store shoes in plastic/grocery bags: Leather shoes need some ventilation. Air should be able to pass through leather. For this, shoes should never be stored in plastic or grocery bags. Use bags made of breathable fabric and pillow cases to store the shoes.

iv. Do not wear the same pair daily: Leather shoes need time to dry up naturally as they have a tendency to soak water from your feet. Wearing the same pair everyday will not help the shoe to dry up leading to a faster wear down.

v. Use shoe tree: Keeping shoe tree in the shoe would enable it to maintain its shape, reduce creases and also to soak in excess moisture and odour. After taking your shoes off, always get a pair of shoe trees in as soon as possible. This is because the leather interior has been absorbing your sweat for an entire day and will start rotting if not dried quickly. Quality shoe trees made of porous cedarwood will absorb this moisture and also fill your shoe to dry in the correct shape. This prevents lining rot and creases from destroying the leather.

vi. Cleaning is important: Regular cleaning, polishing and conditioning play an important role in taking care of leather shoes. You should clean, polish and condition your leather pieces regularly with high quality cleaners and sprays to increase its lifespan. Always clean your leather shoes with a soft cloth before applying special shoe cream on the soft leather handcrafted products.

vii. Stay away from water: Don’t put water on your leather products, especially hand-painted products.

When Your Shoes Get Wet

Water and salt are two of the most common reasons for leather wear and tear. They breakdown the essential oils in leather, causing the fibres to go brittle and weak. If you happen to spill beverages or get your shoe caught in the rain, it is essential to treat it sooner rather than later.

Things you’ll need: 

• Old Newspaper, 

• Shoe Trees, 

• Silica Beads, 

• Cotton Rags, 

• Horsehair Brush, 

• Leather Conditioner, 

• Cream Polish, 

• Wax Polish, 

• Water

1. Dry out excess water using newspapers:

As soon as possible, use old news paper to wipe down your shoe and stuff it into the interior to soak up all excess droplets of water. Leave it there for about an hour. NEVER, at any point in time, attempt to dry your shoes by placing near a heat source, blowdrying, or placing it in direct sunlight. This will cause the essential oils in the leather to dry up as well and weaken the leather upper.

2. Dry the leather upper using a shoe tree

After the newspaper has done its job, throw it away and insert shoe trees made from unfinished cedar along with some silica beads. This is to dehumidify the interior of the shoe and further absorb the moisture that has been taken up by the leather. Doing so will prevent the leather fibres from weakening and also prevent lining rot. Again, never place your shoes near a heat source in an attempt to dry it faster as this will just ruin the leather upper and cause it to crack easily.

3. Treat the leather

Lastly, we’ll want to replenish all the lost oils by giving the shoe leather a good conditioning, as well as rebuild its water resistance.

Long-term Storage

If you’re planning to keep your shoes for later wear, or display them as part of a collection, a few simple habits can prevent their breakdown over time.

Things you’ll need: 

•Shoe Trees, 

•Dessicant bags,

•Shoe box, 

•Conditioner

1. Treat the leather

Do this by Conditioning to Waterproofing it.

2. Store in Shoe Trees

Leather shrinks if unworn for extended periods. If you are going to be storing these shoes for more than a month, insert and leave shoe trees in them – the spring loaded componenets will help maintain the size of your shoes so they still fit when you don them again.

3. Keep them dry and dust-free

It is essential to remove moisture from the shoes. Apart from shoe trees, you can consider adding silica gel bags into the shoes to prevent mildew from growing. Keep the shoes in a shoe box to prevent dust buildup.

4. Condition occasionally

Every few months, take the shoes out for a liberal application of leather conditioner to keep the leather supple. If you are not going to wear them, you’ll not need to polish or spiff up its looks.

Here's how you can create the perfect environment for your leather bags:

✓Cool, Dry Location: Leather bags should always be stored in a cool, dry place. Avoid rooms that experience high humidity levels, as moisture can lead to mould and mildew forming on the leather. Ideal storage areas include well-ventilated wardrobes or closets.

✓Avoid Direct Sunlight: Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause the leather to dry out, fade, or crack. Ensure that your leather bags are kept away from windows or areas where sunlight directly hits the storage space.

✓Keep Away from Heat Sources: Heat can be just as damaging as moisture. Attics, basements, or garages are often prone to fluctuating temperatures, which can dry out or warp leather. Avoid placing bags near radiators, heaters, or any appliance that generates heat.

✓Use a Dehumidifier: If your home or storage space is prone to humidity, a dehumidifier is a great investment. It helps control moisture levels and ensures that the environment remains dry, especially during the damp winter months.

✓Ventilation is Key: Storing leather in a tightly sealed or confined space can trap humidity, which encourages mould growth. Make sure the area is well-ventilated so that air can circulate freely around the bags. Wardrobes with louvred doors or storage units with breathable fabric covers are excellent options.

In conclusion, leather bags shouldn't be placed on the bare ground or if you must, place something heat-proof (like a carton or a planck of wood) before keeping your bag on it. Also if you live in a duplex or a top flat, don't keep it at the topmost layer of your wadrobe. Why? In the heat of the afternoon, the room temperature increases and this is starting from the roof down to the floor.  So you can imagine what that does to your wears (this applies to both shoes and bags).

The safest place, therefore will be somewhere in the middle, close to a window or any other source of ventilation (but away from the sunlight).

Also don't go stacking your leather shoes up in an enclosure. This can damage them as a result of friction between the fabrics. If you have them more than your wardrobe can take, simply get bags made of breathable fabric and pillow cases to store the shoes, wrap them up at most as a pair and allow them breathe. You can thank me later😉.

To buy quality, durable and affordable leather handbags and shoes, check out my page on Instagram @glamchic.collections and on facebook @GlamChic-Designers Collections. You can also send me a direct message on Whatsapp on 08165267653/07017200392.

Cheers.