Home dust removal and basic care can address some minor problems when the material is known and stable. However, two bags that look similar online may differ in leather, finish, colour, age and previous treatment. A method that worked for someone else may not suit your item. Videos may also leave out changes in colour, feel and durability that become apparent after drying.

Stop before attempting treatment in these six situations

  1. The material is sensitive, such as aniline leather, vegetable-tanned leather, suede, patent leather, pearlescent leather or a specialist coating.
  2. Light-coloured leather has extensive denim staining, dark dye transfer or colour that has penetrated the surface.
  3. The surface is tacky, blistered, peeling, cracked or powdery, or colour comes off when wiped.
  4. The item has been recoloured, restored or glued, or treated with unknown products.
  5. The item has significant financial or sentimental value and visible trial-and-error marks would be unacceptable.
  6. You cannot tell whether the problem is a stain, colour loss, ageing or chemical damage.

Do not keep adding products

If the first product has no effect, adding another, increasing the concentration or rubbing harder can make the cause much harder to identify. A local stain may become a combination of damaged original colour, altered finish and visible differences around the treated area.

If you have already started

Keep the names of the products used, the treatment times and photographs of the process. Do not force-dry the item with hot air. Allow it to stabilise with natural ventilation. Photograph the whole item, the affected area, the surface under side lighting and the cloth or other material used for wiping. Give a full account of what you have done when seeking advice.

Warning signs during treatment

Stop if the cloth picks up obvious colour, an area suddenly darkens or turns whitish, the sheen disappears, the surface becomes tacky or stiff, the grain flattens, an unusual odour develops, or a clear colour boundary appears around the treated area.

If the material is uncertain or these changes have already appeared, send photographs to REBIRTH for a care assessment. Customers in mainland China can enquire about in-store service or sending an item by SF Express. Before examining the item in person, we can assess the likely risks but cannot promise a specific degree of restoration.