How To Clean Italian Leather

Italian leather is famous for its durability and unprecedented quality, however, its longevity still depends on your maintenance habits. To help you take better care of your handmade bags and accessories, here is a comprehensive guide on how to clean Italian leather. With these simple caring and storing Do’s and Don’ts, you can keep your luxury bag in pristine condition and extend the lifespan of your investment.

Disclaimer: The leather care information we provide in this blog post should be used only as a guide and at the customer’s own discretion.

Leather quality

At I Medici, all our products are manufactured with vegetable tanned leather made in Italy, which is considered the best leather material in the fashion industry. Bear in mind that the possible imperfections found on the surface aren’t a defect but unique characteristics that are typical for this type of hide. Italian leather maintenance is best done with preventive care - avoiding any potential damage and proper storage. Furthermore, never leave your bags, purses, belts, shoes, and other accessories directly exposed to the sun because it will cause the surface color to fade.

How to deal with water?

Water most commonly from rain can stain some leather bags, especially if they are smooth and shiny or have suede leather finishes. The key to dealing with potential water hazards is ensuring that your leather stays dry as much as possible. Even if it gets wet, just make sure that you pat it dry. Do not rub it! Additionally, you can leave the bag in a well-ventilated area to dry off naturally without exposing it directly to sunlight. Bear in mind that a hairdryer can cause damage to the leather so avoid using heat to tackle this issue. If the bag gets completely drenched, it can leave a permanent mark on vegetable tanned leather so make sure to pat it dry instantly and allow it to dry naturally to reduce any further damage.

How to store your Italian leather bag?

Proper storage is an important aspect of Italian leather maintenance. When you are not using your bag, place inside it some non-transferable tissue paper or color paper to keep it in its natural shape. Newspapers are not a good idea because the printing ink may leave a stain on the lining or the surface. Each compartment inside the bag should also be lightly filled with some tissue paper, as it will prevent the leather from stretching and losing its original shape.

The storage location is also a vital part of the whole how to clean Italian leather process. Never place your bag inside a humid or damp environment as it can harm the material and even cause mildew. If you really want to prevent any scratches or damage and allow the leather product to breathe, store it in a dust bag or pillowcase for that extra protection.

How to keep Italian leather spick and span?

Ladies, if you carry your makeup with you all the time, make sure that you store it in a makeup bag before placing it inside your Italian handbag. Lipsticks, ink, and other cosmetic oil-based products can stain the lining or leather, which can pose a challenge even for professional cleaners. When cleaning the bag, make sure it is empty of all its content first. Keep things clean and dust-free using a soft, non-abrasive cloth and once again - don’t rub! Gentle sweeps only.

How to care about suede material?

Suede is a treatment applied to leather to produce this characteristic napped finish. The French term “gants au Suède” literally translates “gloves from Sweden”, which are typically made from the hide’s underside. It is beautiful, soft to the touch, and very delicate compared to Italian leather. That is why it is highly recommendable not to combine dark colored clothing with light colored suede as the rubbing action can leave a stain mark on the surface. Instead, opt for light-colored clothing, such as cream, beige, and white.

In the case of SOS…

It is always better to bring your stained Italian leather bag to a professional cleaner rather than to do it yourself. If you, however, still prefer to do the cleaning yourself, do it at your own discretion. Please be diligent when reading product instructions and always test the cleaning product somewhere discreetly before applying it on the crucial area. Note that some chemicals are harmful to leather or can be absorbed inside the pores, which will certainly shorten the lifespan of your one-of-a-kind craft.

Hope you have enjoyed our simple guidelines on how to clean Italian leather! Check out our online collection of various authentic Italian designs or read more from our blog section if you are interested to learn more about Italian leather and all its perks.