Here's how to store your leather bag!
Hello!
He is the musician for HushTug.
Have you ever taken out your bag after a long time and found it moldy and out of shape?
If leather products are stored improperly, they can deteriorate.
It would be a shock to take out your beloved bag after a long time and find that it has unexpected damage.
So, this time we will introduce you to "How to store leather bags".
Read this article to learn the correct storage methods and use your favorite bag for a longer period of time!
Common damage and its causes
Leather peeling and mold
Moisture is the enemy of leather products.
If leather is stored for a long period of time with moisture in the air penetrating into the leather, it can cause damage such as peeling and stickiness.
The longer it is stored, the more bacteria will grow and mold may form.
Discoloration, fading
Direct exposure to sunlight can cause discoloration and fading.
This is because the ultraviolet rays in sunlight break down the dye.
It's not a problem if you store it for a short period of time, such as when you're outside, but artificial sources such as fluorescent lights also contain ultraviolet rays, so you need to be careful about the light when storing it.
Wrinkles and deformation
If you store your bag without putting anything in it for a long period of time, it may become wrinkled or lose its shape.
Also, if the handle of the bag remains glued to the main body, the handle may leave marks on the surface of the bag.
Daily storage method
There are different ways to store leather bags depending on how long you plan to store them.
First, I will tell you the key points on how to store a leather bag that you use on a daily basis.
Let it rest when you're not using it
How do you store the bags you use every day for work and on holiday?
Especially with work bags, I always leave my belongings in them because I'll be using them again.
I think many people think this way.
Leaving luggage inside the bag will put stress on certain areas and cause the bag to lose its shape.
Therefore, on days when you are not using your bag, such as on holidays, you can prevent it from losing its shape by removing your belongings.
Also, if you put newspapers or soft towels inside
- moisture
- insect
- odor
It can also be used as a countermeasure against the following:
However, I think it would be quite a hassle to put newspaper in every holiday, so it might be best to only put it in when humidity is a concern or you feel it is bothersome.
Instead, on days off when you're not going out, take out your belongings and give your precious bag a rest!
That alone will help prevent it from losing its shape.
When storing for more than one month
Items that are only used on special occasions such as weddings, funerals, or items that are used according to the season are often stored for long periods of time.
The most important thing to do is to protect these items from dryness and moisture.
The storage procedure consists of three steps:
- Oil Maintenance
- Put a towel or newspaper in your bag
- Store the bag in a soft cloth bag
First, remove all the contents, clean off any dirt around it, and perform some oil maintenance.
Also, to prevent your bag from losing its shape, place a towel or newspaper inside the bag, then store it in a soft cloth bag to keep it from getting dusty!
In order to store items properly for long periods of time, there are some items you need to prepare, so we will introduce them in order.
What you need to store
Here are some things you need to store leather products for the long term.
If there is something you haven't prepared yet, please use this as a reference.
1. Horsehair brush
Use it to remove dust and dirt from leather.
When you use the bag regularly, dust is likely to accumulate, especially in areas where the leather overlaps and at the bottom of the bag, so be sure to brush it to keep it clean!
→ Check out the horsehair brushes on Amazon
2. Maintenance oil
Oil maintenance is primarily intended to replenish moisture and oil.
When storing for a long period of time, we recommend oil maintenance as the product is prone to drying out.
At HushTug we recommend mink oil, but any leather maintenance cream will do!
3. Cloth (for dry wiping)
A dry wiping cloth used as the finishing touch when performing oil maintenance.
Use a cloth to wipe off excess oil that comes out when applying oil. Excess oil can cause dirt and mold, so be sure to wipe it off thoroughly!
As long as the material is cotton, you can use an old T-shirt as a substitute.
4. Towels/newspapers to put inside
It is used to prevent deformation and mold during long-term storage.
Newspaper not only absorbs moisture but also has an odor-preventing effect, so it's recommended!
If you are worried about the color transferring to the lining, you can wrap it in a cloth to prevent this.
5. Hotei
It helps protect it from dust and dirt during storage.
This can be the cloth that comes with the leather product when you buy it. If you have thrown it away, you can use any breathable fabric instead.
Please note that you should avoid using plastic storage bags.
Poor ventilation can trap moisture and lead to mold.
Next, we will introduce the steps to store leather products for a long period of time.
Store your bag in the correct way and protect it!
Step 1. Oil maintenance
First, remove all the contents and clean off any dirt around it, then perform oil maintenance.
We have videos that clearly explain how to use the brush and apply the oil, so please take a look.
We have also provided a detailed introduction in the article, so please refer to that as well.
→ Oil maintenance during the dry seasonStep 2. Put in newspapers and towels
After oil maintenance, place rolled up newspaper or towels inside the bag to prevent moisture and loss of shape.
Also, if you are storing it for more than a month, be sure to replace the newspapers and towels inside regularly.
During the rainy season, when humidity is higher than usual, it is a good idea to change the filter once every 1-2 weeks.
Also, when using insect repellent to ward off insects, we recommend placing it around the leather item rather than putting it directly inside it.
Step 3. Store in a bag in a well-ventilated place
Finally, store the bag in a soft cloth storage bag.
The ideal storage location is a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight, away from high temperatures and humidity.
Also, the best way to store it is vertically so that it doesn't lose its shape.
If your bag has a leather handle like a belt, avoid hanging it as the leather may stretch if stored for a long period of time.
Try to store it upright whenever possible!
For bags that cannot stand on their own, it is effective to store them by creating partitions.
There is also something called a bag storage stand, so please take a look.
Finally
This time we have introduced how to store leather bags. What did you think?
To ensure that you can use your precious leather bag for a long time, be sure to check the bag you are currently storing.
Also, even if you use your leather bag regularly, giving the bag a rest periodically will reduce the strain on the leather.
I hope this will be helpful to you so that you can use your precious leather bag for a long time!
Thank you for reading to the end this time as well.
HushTug