Cleans, Nourishes, Restores and Protects your leather products.

We give you a step-by-step guide to take care of different bags. Whether they are made from leather, washed canvas, waxed canvas, or both. Your bag has to last long enough to bring that return on your investment.

22 Jul
Leather and canvas product care, Travel Bags

LEATHER BAG CARE 101

Leather bags are classy and durable. But they last longer if you take proper care of them. To preserve its qualities, we advise you to take special care of your bag as incorrect methods of cleaning or maintenance can lead to permanent damage of the bag.

Below are some tips, guides and precautions for proper maintenance of your bag:

  • If your leather bag gets dirty, clean it. Make sure your hands are clean as any residue can easily transfer to the leather. Wipe the bag with a damp cloth to remove dirt or dust sitting on the surface of the bag and there after wipe it with a dry cloth.
  • Apply a thin layer or film of good leather conditioner and leave it for roughly 30 minutes, then use a dry cloth to wipe off the excess. (We recommend conditioning at least every few months or once or twice a year depending on the type of leather the bag is made of.
  • Conditioning of the bag opens up the pores of the leather and restores its shine by adding a layer of protection which prevents it from being dry and mostly maintains its look and luster. You would want to choose a cream with natural waxes as they act as a barrier against dirt and moisture.
  • For Smooth grained leathers, clean with a damp cloth and once the leather is dry, you can use a soft cloth to polish it in circular strokes with use of a high quality leather cream or conditioner.
  • For Patent leathers, clean with a soft damp cloth and then later on wipe with a clean dry cloth. Store your patent leather bag away from other leather bags to avoid color migration and discoloration.

STAINS AND SCRATCHES

Water stains

For instances such as water stains from the rain or spillage of drinks, the bag might get soggy and could lead to damage of the bag in the long run. Use a soft dry towel to blot away any moisture then allow the bag to dry in a room temperature environment. It is important you blot the moisture by only dabbing it instead of using a wiping motion which would only push the water deeper into the leather.

Ink stains

These can be really stubborn but once you are aware of the right method or leather cleaner to use, they can be quite easy to get rid of.  To remove it, apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a small area of the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. This is to spot test to see if there would be any discolorations. Once you approve that the alcohol is safe for use, apply it onto a small piece of cotton wool and wipe the stain in a circular motion until it disappears.Once dry, apply some leather conditioner over the area to restore its moisture and shine.

Scratches

If the bag gets a scratch, you would want to use leather oil by rubbing it in a circular motion as it will help lessen the intensity of the appearance of the mark created. Leather conditioner can enhance the bag with a good level of oil and wax and will prevent further harsh scratches.

Here are some of the precautions you would want to take for proper maintenance:

  • Remember to take care of stains immediately after they happen as this will prevent a chance of letting them soak into material even more. Keep pens or beauty products in separate pouches to avoid permanent stains and damage.
  • Keep your bag out of the sunshine and store it in a cool, dry place to prevent it from drying out and cracking. If stored in a moist place, you may find the bag developing mold and we would not want that, would we? Store it in a protective pouch or you could improvise by using a pillow cover to enable it to breathe as moisture would create mold. You could throw in a pouch or two of silica gel if available.
  • Avoid over stuffing your bag with heavy items as they could stretch out the leather. Purchase a bag large enough for your needs and avoid overfilling it to make it last longer.

When choosing what bag to buy, make sure to ask and consider what leather type it is and we as Qali Bags Kenya are here to offer that service to our best. Proper leather care will keep your bag looking great for years and assist in providing a smooth patina as the bag ages. Leather always looks great with time! Leave a comment below if you have any additional tips

17 Jul
Leather and canvas product care, Travel Bags

Detailed hack for caring for your canvas bag

Canvas bags are some of the trendy bags in the market. They are becoming more and more popular due to their unique rustic, vintage look and functionality. Canvas used to make bags can be either waxed canvas or washed canvas. Just like a car needs regular checks and maintenance so does your product every once in a while, after all you did spend quite an am. Your skin also needs daily care and different skin products but, don’t worry you won’t need another budget to care for your piece.

To help you maintain the look of your bag for years to come, it is important you learn how to clean and maintain a canvas the right way without damaging it. Here are some valuable tips to note when cleaning a canvas bag

  1. You would want to first empty out all pockets to remove any items within the bag. Using a soft bristled brush, clean the bag to get rid of any dirt particles that maybe on the surface of the bag. This is to limit an expansion of the dirty area or any stain(s) formed on the bag.
  2. Try plain (cold) water before using soap. Use cold water and a small amount of mild soap (not detergent: omo,sunlight, persil etc) when necessary. When not sure of your soap choose a small incospicuous area to do a quick test, if there is sudden colour change DO NOT proceed with that soap or liquid.
  3. Rinse away any soap and allow the canvas to air dry upside down. Washing it this way will clean away the dirt without breaking down the wax coating on the canvas.
  4. If you are still having difficulties removing stains from the bag, you can use a dry-cleaning stain remover. Simply apply it, let it soak and remove it with a damp cloth/towel.

However some actions are not recommended while or when you would want to clean the bag. They are a NO NO!

  • DO NOT Dry clean
  • DO NOT machine wash
  • DO NOT machine drying the bag after washing
  • DO NOT use hot or warm water for cleaning
  • DO NOT use detergent
  • DO NOT use blow dryers or tools you feel might dry the bag quicker. this is the fastest way to wear you bag

Such actions may break down the wax coating and compromise the finish and the water resistance of the bag. Some of these strong detergents contain other chemicals such as bleach which when applied to your bag may change the colour of the bag and leave you with a nasty spot.

Some extra tips on maintenance include

  • Usually after a daily use, you could use a soft bristled brush to remove any dirt that may have accumulated throughout the day.
  • If ever caught in rain and your bag is soaked, remove all items within the bag and let it air dry. Remember to stretch out the bag to prevent shrinkage and let it air dry.

It is important to remember that Qali bags uses a unique design of blending both leather and waxed canvas, this means all parts made of leather will require different leather care and should be protected at all times when cleaning the product. Having the basic fundamentals and steps on how to clean and maintain a canvas bag, feel free to look at some of our bags on our website if interested. Some of our best selling products ranges are here

http://qalibags.com/product-category/messenger-bags/

http://qalibags.com/product-category/travel-bags/

http://qalibags.com/product-category/trolley-bags/

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