How do you care for your Louis Vuitton?
A common question that is often followed by common mistakes. We are going to educate you on popular home remedies to keep your classic Louis Vuitton bag fresh. Please be aware though that in this post we'll only cover the care of Vachetta leather and the PVC Canvas. So this guide does not apply to the Epu, Vernis or other exotic material bags from Louis Vuitton.
Are Louis Vuitton bags not made out of leather?
Louis Vuitton bags are usually not made out of leather completely.. The Canvas material (usually Monogram or Damier) is for example not made out of leather but a plastic covered cotton material. The handles and straps on these bags is usually made out of unprotected cow leather(Vachetta) that is very sensitive:
- It absorbs all liquids that can leave dark stains on the leather
- Sebum (skin oil) can cause the color of the leather to change over time.
- Sunlight and common dirt affect the color
All this process is by design from the producer. The Vachetta leather on the Louis Vuitton bags is supposed to age over time and darken in a beautiful way.
It's possible though that the leather on your bag ends up with an uneven color and in that case we have a possible solution for you*. Although it's impossible to get the leather to it's original condition, it is possible clean and to even out the dark spots. Doing that might slightly darken other parts of the leather to even out any spots.
How to clean Vachetta leather?
It's done with wet wipes! You simply clean the leather carefully with oil-, alcohol- and scent-free wet wipes in a circular motion - or by using a water damp cloth. It's very important to clean the leather evenly and don't but sole focus on the stains. We are talking about very light cleaning with breaks between rounds.
Hér má sjá blett á handfangi töskunnar áður en hann er þrifinn
Hér er búið að nudda blettinn með vatnsblautri tusku.
Handfang töskunnar eftir þrif.
What to watch out for?
- If the leather (Vachetta) has a matte look it's likely that it's been cleaned recently. Repeated cleaning with short breaks are really bad for the leather and can cause dryness.
- Don't focus on one part of the leather when you are cleaning it. Go evenly over all of the leather with a wet wipe and take 15 minute breaks between rounds.
- We don't recommend this method for leather in very bad condition or leather that is very dry, it can make things worse.
- If you plan on using specific leather care products make sure first they don't contain silicone or petroleum. And begin by trying it on a small hidden section of the leather before coating the entire bag.
How to clean the Canvas material?
They main material found on Louis Vuitton bags is called Canvas and is usually in the LV Monogram or other popular patterns(like Damier). This part of the bag is made out of a PVC coated material so usually very easy to handle. Please be aware though that some Louis Vuitton bag brands are made out of leather entirely.
You can use a mild soap water(very little soap) and a cloth to clean the Canvas. Rub any stains or other dirt out with a soft toothbrush if needed.
What to watch out for?
- Don't coat the Canvas with leather care products! This is a common mistake and important to remember that usually it's not leather.
- Refrain from using strong cleaners. The Canvas part of the bag is made out of a PVC coated (plastic) material and should not need any harsh cleaners.
Common advice!
Of course the best way to prevent damages on your Louis Vuitton bag to to take good care of it. Here are a few extra tips to care for your bag that might be helpful.
- Where and how you store your bags?
We always recommend keeping your Louis Vuitton in it's original dust bag(or something similar) and hanging. We don't recommend keeping your bag folded for longer periods. If the bag is kept in sunlight it will get discolored and dry up. It's also forbidden to store your Vachetta leather in plastic bags, it needs to breathe! - Where do you put your bag down?
Vachetta leather is a completely untreated cow leather. We don't recommend that our customers put their bags down on the floor, ground or the greasy kitchen table. - What materials bleed their color?
It's a common problem that color from other materials bleeds onto the leather or the Canvas, although more commonly if the bag is a light color. The highest risk comes from denim. So if you own a light colored bag, don't rub it up against your denim jacket or store it next to your denim pants! This also applies to bags made out of Epi or Vernis leather. - Preemptive care
It's best to get a professional to treat(Silicone, Lanolin and petroleum free only!) the Vachetta leather to prevent it from getting water stains.
Handfang á Louis Vuitton tösku fyrir þrif
Sama handfang eftir þrif með vatnsblautum klút
*Attikk recommends being very careful and takes no responsibility on your usage of these methods.