Aftercare

Welcome

You are holding your new vintage designer bag from Treasures. So that your new treasure brings you joy for a long time to come, we have prepared this complete guide to caring for vintage bags, available to every Treasures Prague client. In it you will learn how to care for, clean and protect vintage pieces, how to extend their life for as long as possible, and a few more tips and know-how we have gathered over the years.

Vintage bags have something that new pieces simply don't. They are authentic pieces of history and craftsmanship that tell their own story. Every scuff, little scratch and patina on the leather is a trace of time and a reminder that the piece has been worn and loved. These pieces have a unique style that represents a particular era of the fashion house in whose workshop they were made. We know our clients choose vintage bags not only for their beauty and exclusivity, but also for the story they carry – and we want you to enjoy them for as long as possible.

How to store your bag

• Store your bags in a cotton dust bag to protect them from dust and dirt. No spare dust bag? A white pillowcase works perfectly.
• Keep your bags in a dark, dry and clean place. Make sure they are out of direct sunlight, as sunlight will damage the colour over time. Avoid damp environments too – if necessary, place moisture-absorbing sachets inside the bag. Humidity and heat lead to mould, which is almost impossible to remove from leather. Only use moisture absorbers in a humid environment, as under normal conditions they can dry out the leather. Keep bags away from heat sources such as radiators and hair dryers.
• Store bags upright on a flat surface. Never hang them on hooks or stands. If the bag has top handles, make sure the handle does not rest on the body of the bag. If you store the bag in a box, leave the lid open so air can circulate.
• Stuff the inside with suitable filling. Avoid bubble wrap and other plastic fillers. Never use newspaper, as the ink can transfer onto the lining. If in doubt, light-coloured cotton fabric or white tissue paper works beautifully.
• Avoid storing bags together with other items that could scratch, dent or otherwise damage them. Keep bags apart from each other to minimise friction.
• Store detachable straps separately so they keep their shape and don't leave imprints on the bag. Wrap chain straps in fabric and place them outside the bag if possible, or inside the bag, so they don't leave marks on the leather (it may seem like a detail at first, but we have seen many unnecessary imprints caused by careless storage, so this really is worth watching – the leather is quite soft). Take special care with the chains on Chanel Flap bags. Wrap any metal hardware (zips, clasps, …) that touches the surface of the bag in the same way.

How to clean your bag

• As soon as you notice a stain, remove it as quickly as possible. The longer a stain settles into the fabric or leather, the harder it is to remove.
• Always gently dab stains, never rub them. Rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper into the material.
• Grease stains, ink and make-up should not be treated at home – take the bag straight to a professional. Water and ordinary cleaners won't remove them; they will only smear and set them.
• For leather, use a damp (not wet) soft microfibre cloth. Work carefully – it is better to start with a drier cloth and add water and cleaner as needed.
• Only use a cleaner made specifically for leather. Always test any new product on a small, hidden area first. After cleaning, wipe the bag with a dry cloth to remove any excess cleaner.
• After cleaning, nourish the leather with a conditioner. Just like our skin, leather needs hydration to stay supple and not dry out. Apply the conditioner with a microfibre cloth.
• You can also use a special protective spray or leather waterproofing, which helps protect against stains and extends the life of the bag. Test the spray on a tiny area first to see how it affects the colour or surface, and only then use it on the whole bag.
• Never use cleaning products containing alcohol, acetone or other solvents, which could discolour and dry out the leather.
• Never put your bag in the washing machine and never soak it completely while cleaning.

Hardware, zips and clasps

The hardware on most bags from fashion houses (Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, YSL…) is gold-plated or metal-plated. Plating is only a thin layer, and after years of wear it is often thinner still.

• For everyday care, a dry, soft microfibre cloth is enough – it removes fingerprints and dust without damaging the plating.
• If you want to clean the hardware more thoroughly, use only a gentle cleaner made for gold-plated jewellery (free of abrasives and ammonia). Apply it to the cloth, never directly onto the hardware, and wipe gently without pressure.
• Caution: ordinary metal cleaners and polishes (for silver, brass or stainless steel) and polishing cloths with paste do not belong on plated hardware. They contain fine abrasives that gradually wear the plating away and expose the metal underneath – and this damage cannot be undone.
• Protect the surrounding leather while cleaning – jewellery cleaner must not touch it, as it could discolour or dry it out. You can cover the leather around the hardware with a piece of paper or fabric.
• If the hardware is visibly worn or tarnished, turn to a professional – on some pieces the hardware can be re-plated.

How often?

Less is often more. Vintage leather doesn't need regular "scrubbing" – above all it needs gentle handling and attention when something happens.

For dyed bags and delicate lambskin (e.g. Chanel lambskin) this applies twice over: as little intervention as possible, and always test a product on a hidden area first.

Care by material

How to wear your bag safely

• Like any organic material, leather needs time to rest, breathe and recover after everyday use. After each use, consider emptying the bag and removing any loose dirt and dust from the leather and metal parts with a dry, lint-free cloth.
• Protect the leather from oils, perfumes and products containing alcohol – stains from them will damage the bag permanently. Avoid rubbing the leather against dark (jeans!), textured or embellished clothing. Be careful with sharp objects such as keys, pens or scissors to avoid scratching the leather. Make sure water bottles, cosmetics and other liquids are tightly closed to prevent stains. An organiser is always a good choice and reliably protects the lining.
• Don't put your bag on the floor. Get a portable bag hook for the table instead. It helps ensure your bag isn't exposed to dirt, shards, liquids or people who might trip over or step on it.
• Although it can be tricky at times, don't overfill your bag with heavy or bulky items, so it keeps its shape and the handles don't start to tear.
• Protect your bag from rain, as water can leave stains and blisters on leather (take special care with vachetta leather on Louis Vuitton!). If it does get wet, never dry it near a radiator, or the leather may crack. If larger water stains or other marks appear, have it professionally cleaned and restored.
• Rotate your bags regularly – it extends the life of all of them.

Finally, it must be said that being overly cautious and afraid to take a more expensive bag out in case it gets damaged isn't a healthy approach either.

Bags are made to be worn – so don't be afraid to wear them and let them fulfil their purpose.

For a dose of courage, remember Jane Birkin, who carried her Birkin literally everywhere – stuffed to bursting, hung with charms and beads – and that is exactly how it became an icon. And if your bag gets worn and battered over time, don't be sad. You can always tell yourself that from now on you're not wearing a battered bag, but carrying it in the chic style of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who wear their scuffed, comfortably "broken-in" bags with complete nonchalance.

Repairs

Even with the most careful wear, it is completely normal for a piece to develop signs of use – scratches, marks, scuffs, patina, colour wear and dirt appear – it simply ages.

If your piece needs a restoration, refresh or any other repair, entrust it to a specialised leather service. Not sure who to turn to? Write to us – we'll be happy to advise.

Caring for a dyed bag

At Treasures you will regularly find bags whose original colour we have deliberately had changed.

We have bags re-dyed simply to bring sought-after models to the market at an accessible price in the most wanted colour, which in almost all cases is black. There are other reasons we dye pieces black, too – besides high demand, black leather pieces are the easiest to maintain and repair, and they look new and fresh for a long time. The biggest advantage, however, is usually the price, which can be up to half of what the piece would cost if it had been black from the factory. Black pieces are usually the most expensive, and a re-dyed piece can be a wonderful, more accessible alternative, sought after especially by Chanel lovers.

If your piece from Treasures has been re-dyed, we will always tell you in advance so you can take this into account when wearing and caring for it.

Caring for a dyed bag is generally the same as for any other leather bag (see the instructions earlier in this guide), but these rules need to be followed consistently and with extra care.

• Avoid contact with water, heat, humidity and sharp or rough objects that could scratch the surface (watch out for plaster and walls when wearing it!). Take particular care of the corners, as they are the most prone to scuffing.
• During the first months of wear, or in damp conditions or contact with water, the colour may rub off onto light clothing. We therefore recommend not wearing the bag with light clothing at first – especially white, beige or delicate fabrics.
• Under no circumstances may the dyed surface come into contact with acetone or alcohol.
• If the interior is also dyed, do not stuff it with bubble wrap or other plastic materials for storage. Use cotton instead. Store the bag in a cotton dust bag without close contact with glass, plastic surfaces or another dyed bag.
• Clean the bag carefully with a soft, damp microfibre cloth; do not use hard brushes. Never use products containing acetone, alcohol/spirits or solvents.

What if I scuff the colour somewhere?

Nothing to worry about. Black is the easiest colour to repair, and you can fix small scuffs yourself. That is exactly why we developed our own Treasures Leather Marker – a marker for re-colouring scuffed corners, edges and scratches on leather.

Treasures Leather Marker →

You'll always have it at hand at home and can easily do small touch-ups yourself. If you don't feel confident, or the bag needs a bigger refresh after a few months or years of wear, take it to a professional – or get in touch with us and we'll be happy to advise.

Need advice?

If you're not sure how to care for your piece, or something appears on your bag that you don't know how to handle, write to us – we'll gladly advise and, if needed, recommend a trusted repair service.