How To Care For Your Leather Handbag

We love leather, for the natural wear marks earned with time and the natural patina brought by thousands of touches. We also believe that age=beauty. Our quality leather handbags are meant to be loved every day and simply get better with use and wear. While our handbags and wallets are made to last and will age gracefully on their own, they do need protection and nourishment. We have been at leather craft for nearly 30 years. Here are a few of our tips for keeping your leather products looking great for years to come.

1. It starts with PROTECTION:
We always recommend that you treat your leather goods with a stain and rain repellent spray. A product like this won't prevent all of life's stories from showing on your bag, but it may protect your bag from the daily grind...rain, grit on the train floor or the occasional coffee spill. We have developed a Suede & Leather Protector that works as a barrier against rain and stains without changing the natural grain and color of your leather. Our spray is made with natural ingredients and is safe for use on our Nubuck Hide, Suede Hide, Vintage Hide, Vachetta Hide, Velvet Hide and Men's Heritage Hide bags, as well as most other leather handbags and shoes. Follow the directions on the product and always test on a small area before spraying your entire bag.

Keep your leather products looking great for years to come with leather cream and spray
Keep your leather products looking great for years to come with leather cream and spray

Spray 4-6" from the surface in sweeping crisscross patterns to coat evenly.

2. Keep It CLEAN:
Life happens, so marks on your leather goods are to be expected. But don’t worry, our leather spot clean cleaner is here to keep your leather clean and help remove marks from everyday wear. Use this spray to remove dirt and buildup on leather and prepare certain leathers to be nourished with our leather cream. Please note, this cleaner is meant to remove dirt marks from use and wear, but not set-in stains such as pen or oils. Our cleaner is made with natural ingredients and can be used on our vintage hide, matte vintage hide, vachetta hide, velvet hide and artisan hide.

Keep your leather products looking great for years to come with leather cream and spray
Keep your leather products looking great for years to come with leather cream and spray

3. We all need NOURISHMENT:
We tell everyone who asks that the best care for their Hobo leather goods, is everyday use and wear. The beauty of all quality leather hides is that they are actually conditioned by the oils in our skin and made softer and more beautiful by thousands of touches. Over time, any marks and scratches that occur {because, that's life!) blend beautifully into the leather and become the badges that tell our stories. Of course, a good quality leather cream can nourish your leather and restore shine and softness. We have developed a leather cream that contains all-natural ingredients and is made in the USA. This cream is recommended for use on our Vintage hide and Vachetta hide handbags and wallets only. This is because it is a rich, nourishing conditioner for leather and these hides respond best to it. It is not recommended for use on nubuck or suede.

Keep your leather products looking great for years to come with leather cream and spray
Keep your leather products looking great for years to come with leather cream and spray

Use a soft, dry cloth to apply a thin coat. Work into the leather in small, circular motions.



Read about frequently asked leather care questions

How do I remove an ink stain from my leather purse?

Ink stains in leather are tricky business. If you rub too hard, you may remove the natural dye from the leather's surface. Rubbing a leather cream into the whole bag will help to restore the color and shine and help diminish the ink mark. Over time, the mark will begin to fade and become part of the unique character of your bag.

How do I remove scratches from my leather goods?

Applying a leather cream to your leather product will help restore shine, diminish scratches and even out color. We recommend applying a leather cream every month or so.

What do I do if my leather gets rained on?

Gently wipe off any standing water and allow it to dry naturally. Do NOT apply unnatural heat, like a blow dryer. For a jacket, hang it on a wide, padded hanger. For bags or shoes, stuff them with crumpled newspaper to help hold their shape. Once completely dry, apply leather cream to restore shine and softness to leather. Always protect your leather goods before you get caught in the rain.