Once you have purchased your fabulous Italian leather handbag here is a simple guide on how to look after your beautiful bag so it remains in pristine condition, looks great and lasts for many years.

There is no need to use leather treatments on your bag unless advised by the manufacturer as these chemicals can clog the pores of the leather and shorten it's life. If your bag gets wet, whether it's patent, palmellato or vegetable tanned leather, dry off as soon as possible with a soft cloth and leave in a well ventilated area to dry naturally and away from direct heat. Small scuff marks can be treated with a small amount of neutral coloured polish as recommended by the manufacturer. Simply dab onto the scuff mark and use a soft cloth to buff off. This will not work for ink stains or pen marks. This would need to be treated by a professional leather cleaning expert.

When storing your handbag for a prolonged length of time, always use the protective cloth sack or dust bag that comes with your bag as this will allow air to circulate to avoid mildew and protect from scratches.

All items that could cause staining due to leaks such as makeup, perfume and pens should be removed and particularly any sweets as they will go mouldy. Leather is an absorbent material and all these things may cause staining. Once emptied, wipe the leather with a damp soft cloth or a commercial wipe but do not use too much water or rub excessively. Then allow to dry.

Once your bag is empty, clean and dry, stuff with tissue packing paper that the bag came with. If you have not kept this you can use paper with no transferable colours, roll into balls and lightly pack so it forms it's natural shape filling out any folds. The dustbag should be large enough to hold your bag comfortably with a large enough opening so as not to cause folding or bending which can cause un-natural creases. If you wish to use a plastic bag as a final layer, ensure that it has perforations to allow air circulation and tie loosely.

Now you are ready to store. Remember to place away from heat sources such as sunlight and radiators. You should also avoid humid areas as this can lead to mould growth. Try not squash and squeeze into a small space and do not put items on top as this will cause creasing. The easiest and best option I find is to use the draw strings or handles of the dustbag and hang. 

If like me you use 2-3 bags at a time it is not neccessary to follow all the above, but do try to empty contents, give a quick wipe, then pop into it's dustbag and hang off the floor. After all a luxury leather handbag is an investment that should last many years.