| A quality leather handbag is an expensive and long | | | | The most common protein stain that your handbag |
| term investment. You will be quite proud of your new | | | | may encounter is blood. Blood spreads rapidly, so even |
| handbag and want to protect it as much as possible. | | | | a paper cut can cause a significant stain. Fortunately, |
| Nonetheless, accidents happen and sooner or later you | | | | blood stains are reasonably responsive to treatment, |
| will find yourself with a stain on your bag. | | | | particularly if you catch them before they dry. First, |
| The key to treating any stain is timing. The sooner you | | | | wipe off all liquid with a clean cloth, then wash carefully |
| catch the spill, the more likely it is that you will be able | | | | with a mild soap and water solution. Allow your |
| to fully remove the accompanying stain. Many | | | | handbag to air dry and condition thoroughly. |
| blemishes can be treated with a mild soap, such as | | | | Water spots are caused on handbags by uneven |
| dish washing liquid or hand soap that is mixed with | | | | wetting and drying. In this case, it is best to re-wet the |
| water. It is generally recommended to try this method | | | | spot and the rest of the bag panel down to a seam. |
| first, especially on stains of unknown origin. Commercial | | | | Do not over-wet the area; allowing the entire area to |
| leather soap can be used instead. Always rub in the | | | | become damp will cause a more even drying pattern. |
| direction of the leather grain and be careful not to rub | | | | Allow the handbag to air dry, then condition with a |
| so hard that you grind the stain further into the leather. | | | | leather conditioner. |
| After any cleaning, be sure to rinse thoroughly but | | | | Ink stains on a quality leather handbag are extremely |
| carefully, follow up with an air dry and then condition | | | | difficult to treat, particularly once they have dried. |
| the handbag with a leather conditioner. | | | | Some leather owners have had success with |
| When using soap and water on your quality leather | | | | hairspray, followed by rinsing and conditioning. Be sure |
| handbag, remember that an area that has been wet | | | | to try this one in an inconspicuous spot first, as ink |
| will likely dry slightly darker than the surrounding | | | | stains can easily be worsened by home treatment. If |
| material. Therefore, care should be taken to avoid | | | | you have any doubts, consult a professional. |
| over-wetting the handbag and it is better to dampen | | | | Treat grease stains on your handbag immediately by |
| the entire bag so that it will dry uniformly. | | | | using large quantities of corn starch or talcum powder. |
| All methods, including soap and water, should be tested | | | | This will pull out the oil, but may leave the residue |
| on an inconspicuous part of the handbag before | | | | behind. Be sure to remove any liquid first with a clean |
| treatment. If you have any doubt about your ability to | | | | cloth and leave the corn starch or powder on the stain |
| successfully treat a stain, it is highly recommended that | | | | for at least four hours. |
| you contact a certified leather specialist for | | | | A quality leather handbag will come into contact with |
| professional advice about your quality leather handbag. | | | | many different materials and will probably develop a |
| Home treatments can be used for a variety of stains. | | | | stain. Home treatments can help you minimize damage, |
| Common stain types include: protein (particularly blood), | | | | but never be afraid to call in the services of a |
| water, ink and grease. After any treatment, be sure to | | | | professional if needed. Your handbag was a major |
| rinse the area carefully with plain water. Use a damp | | | | investment and it is well worth spending the money |
| sponge and pat it thoroughly, as this is much better for | | | | necessary to maintain it. |
| the handbag than immersion. | | | | |