Less is more, and what we mean by that. A practical guide to keeping your bag well, in five small habits.
We are, on the whole, not in favor of doing very much to leather. The most common mistake we see is not neglect — leather is more forgiving than people think — but over-care: too much oil, too much polish, too much rubbing of the surface with the wrong cloth. The leather wants to be left alone, mostly. What follows is what we recommend, and nothing more.
One — let it dry slowly
If your bag is wet, do not put it on a radiator and do not blow it with a hairdryer. Heat dries leather unevenly and makes it stiff. Set it on a soft cloth in a room with normal air, and let it dry overnight. By morning it will be itself again. If it is very wet, stuff it lightly with paper to keep its shape, and change the paper after a few hours.
Two — wipe with a soft, dry cloth
Most of what your bag needs, day to day, is a soft, dry cloth. A few seconds at the end of the week, around the corners and on the back, will keep it well. Do not press hard. The leather will thank you for the small attention.
"If you would not do it to your skin, do not do it to your bag."
Three — condition once a year, not more
Once a year — once — apply a small amount of a neutral leather balm. We use a beeswax-based one we make ourselves; you can also use a good cream conditioner. The trick is restraint. A pea-sized amount on a soft cloth, worked gently into the surface, will do for a small bag. Wipe off the excess.
Do not use mink oil, neatsfoot oil, or anything called "saddle soap." These were designed for harder, thicker leathers and will darken your bag unevenly.
Four — store it like a coat
A bag in a closet should hang or sit upright, not folded or crushed. Put a few sheets of acid-free tissue inside to keep its shape, but do not stuff it full. Avoid plastic bags, which trap moisture. The dust bag we send with each piece is the right home for it when you are not carrying it.
Five — bring it back to us
For anything else — a deep clean, a re-oiled handle, a new strap, a worn hinge — bring it home. We repair our bags for life, for the people who own them. Send a note to repair@nuve.studio and we will arrange the rest.
