You have just treated yourself to a magnificent FAMETHIC bag, congratulations, you have excellent taste. To enjoy it for years to come, we strongly advise you to take care of it while it is still new. Nourished and protected, it will be able to soften, take shape, and develop a beautiful patina.

Our favorite tip: well-maintained leather lasts three times longer.

Leather is a very strong organic material that develops a patina over time. Like wood, leather needs to be cleaned, nourished, and protected. When leather is well-maintained, its lifespan is tripled, and we can also repair the hand-sewn seams. 

THE NATURE OF LEATHER

Leather is tanned skin, a process carried out by a tanner. Determining the tanning method is essential before you start caring for your leather.

Skin is made up of fibers distributed across different layers. The further out you go on the skin (the epidermis), the denser and more waterproofthe fibers are. The deeper you go, towards the inside of the skin, the more stretched out and permeablethe fibers are. 

THE WATER DROP TEST

When you want to buy a leather item, first perform the water drop test. Put a little water on your finger and place it on an inconspicuous part of the leather. Then observe the leather's reaction: 

• the water stays on the surface, the leather does not stain, it is waterproofed. Your leather will be easy, or even very easy, to maintain. The patina will develop slightly to moderately quickly. This is pigmented or even coated leather.

• the water penetrates, the leather stains slightly but the water is absorbed and the stain disappears. Your leather will need normal but regular maintenance. The patina will develop quickly and look very beautiful. This is aniline or semi-aniline leather.

• the water is absorbed like a sponge, the leather darkens and the stain does not completely disappear. Your leather absolutely must be waterproofed and you will not be able to use water, soap, or wax; it is suede, nubuck (corrected full-grain), or vegetable-tanned leather with an aniline finish.

MAINTAINING NEW LEATHER

We strongly advise you to take care of your leather when it is new. Nourished and protected, it will be able to soften, take shape, and develop a beautiful patina. 

For "Supportlo" leathers only:

First, buff it once a month with the leather beauty cream.

Get a soft, light-colored cotton cloth, take a small amount of product, fold the cloth in half and rub the two parts together to spread the product, then apply it to your leather (on the grain side, of course) using gentle circular motions. Continue this on all surfaces of your item, then refine the buffing by making larger circular motions with your cloth to remove any traces and even out the application. 

You can use this cream for an extended period, as you wish. It will satin the leather, enhance the patina, and prolong the quality of your leather's tanning. 

For all new leathers, except nubucks:

Two to four times a year, nourish your leather with the leather care balm. 

Like an encaustique, it will deeply nourish your leather, preventing dryness and prolonging its suppleness. The beeswax contained in the balm will protect the seams from wear and prevent the thread from breaking. 

Warning: if you take too much wax without first spreading it on the cloth and apply it in a thick layer, the wax will stain the leather.

Also perform a preliminary test on an inconspicuous part, as this product is oily and can stain certain leathers (just like the water drop test).

To wax your leather with the leather care balm: get a soft white cotton cloth, first take a small amount of wax, spread it on the cloth. Apply the oily cloth to the leather on the grain side only, using gentle circular motions. Wax all exterior parts of the leather this way, without exception. Keep your cloth, it will serve for the other waxings. 

Over time and with the first waxings, your leather will acquire a beautiful patina (bravo, we are proud of you). You can then perform a cleaning accompanied by a waxing at least four times a year (keep up the pace, an opportunity to celebrate each new season).

MAINTAINING SUEDE AND NUBUCK

Some leathers are taken only in the dermis, so these leathers have two suede sides, this is what we call suede (you can refer back above to this fascinating image representing the skin).

There is also an in-between (between suede and full-grain leather), which we call nubuck. It is full-grain leather with a suede finish, like suede. The maintenance is then the same as for the latter.

Suede and nubucks are leathers that can be compared to sponges, they absorb everything. You absolutely must (yes, absolutely) waterproof them to avoid color transfer, discoloration, and stains.

Warning, do not use water or soap to clean these leathers, this would cause stains. (you can also refer to our little water drop test tutorial)

Suede

To clean these fibrous leathers, it is necessary to use a soft brush to remove dust and other dirt from the fibers. Brush gently and lightly and thus adapt the force of the brush to the leather. There are very hard brushes, others very soft. If the leather scratches easily, a very soft brush will be required. If the suede is dry and stiff like some shoes, you can then use a harder brush, made of brass and boar bristles.

If the leather is stained or the dirt is embedded, get a natural rubber (a crepe), which you can use like an eraser.

If and only if it is a resistant, thick and dry cow leather (typically like shoe leather), you can perform a little waxing. To do this, take a little wax with a cloth, tap the brush on the impregnated cloth, then brush the leather with a soft and quick motion.

Warning, the more the leather stains, the less wax you apply. Waxing it this way allows to flatten the fibers, to glaze it. Glazing it, yes yes.

Mandatory step after cleaning the leather: waterproof it. Always waterproof it at the end of the maintenance. Always (always). To do this, you can use a waterproofing spray whose instructions for use will be specified on the bottle. Since this step gives off a strong odor, it is preferable to wait until the next day to use your item. 

Cleaning the inside of an unlined bag

You can brush the leather, and if necessary, you can turn the bag over to allow it to be completely dusted. 

Nubuck

It is not necessary to brush the nubuck, you can simply get a crepe to clean it.

When you buy a nubuck, know that it is previously waterproofed. Also, when the leather starts to stain, it is time to renew the waterproofing. Go, go, go.

Before this step, you can take the opportunity to clean it. No brush is necessary, they would be too abrasive, use the crepe directly with which you will come to erase all dirty or stained areas. Very school-like but oh so useful.

Then, get a very soft cotton, like a chamois skin, with which you will buff the leather to patina it. This will allow to remove traces of gum and fingers. Then proceed to the waterproofing (always).

There is a basic principle: if suede and nubucks get dirty, they must be waterproofed. It is systematic.

Remember to maintain and waterproof your leathers between two to four times a year (this depends on use). It is important to perform the maintenance in the first two or three years; beyond this period, the leather is patinated and therefore, much less fragile. But is it really necessary to remind our favorite tip, that well-maintained leather lasts three times longer? No, you are now accustomed to the art of pampering leather!

 

 

MAINTAINING PATINATED LEATHER 

Over time and with the first waxings, your leather will acquire a beautiful patina (bravo, we are proud of you). You can then perform a cleaning necessarily accompanied by a waxing four times a year (keep up the pace, an opportunity to celebrate each new season).

Cleaning

Know that you can clean your leather, perfectly, clean it. To do this, moisten a new foam sponge with clear water (remember to wring it out), apply Marseille soap on it, spread the soap on the sponge and make it well lather. Clean your leather by making circular motions with your sponge. Warning, you must not soak the leather, it is the foam that will clean your leather, only the foam. If you do not have Marseille soap, you can use black soap or an ecological and neutral dish soap.

Let the leather dry. Repeat the process as many times as necessary. Do not confuse patina with dirt: patina is the natural color of leather, slightly more pronounced in heavily used areas, while dirt is grey or even black.

For very localized stains, such as the legendary pen mark, for example, use a natural rubber eraser to lift everything embedded in the leather and its fibers.

Warning: if your leather is very dirty or stained, do not clean it aggressively; use the same method. When drying between cleanings, simply place absorbent paper on the leather and then place a book on top. The absorbent paper will draw the dirt to the surface, making it easier to clean.

Waxing

After cleaning, the leather must be waxed. Every cleaning must be followed by waxing. If you do not have waxing products on hand, do not clean your leather; wait.

To wax your clean leather, proceed in the same way as with new leather, repeating the process as many times as necessary until it regains its suppleness and patina. Finally, generously apply raw beeswax to the hand-sewn seams, then buff the seams with your waxing cloth to spread the beeswax.

In case of an accident 

If a liquid is spilled on the leather, absorb it as quickly as possible. Quickly, quickly, quickly—a napkin, a paper towel! Do not wait for the leather to absorb it. Then proceed with the standard cleaning process as many times as necessary.

Leather can withstand almost any product (acetone, white spirit, etc.). You can remove nail polish or acrylic paint stains, but always test the product on an inconspicuous area first. If the leather discolors when using the cleaning product, return to the gentle Marseille soap method.

You can also use the cleaning method to remove unpleasant odors (as mentioned in the introduction, leather ninja).

*We work with high-quality full-grain leather and use hand-sewing techniques to create durable bags that truly stand the test of time, with seams that can be repaired if they wear out (unlike machine-sewn seams). This does not entitle you to any contractual warranty from Faméthic; simply know that well-maintained leather lasts three times longer and makes seam repair easier.

 

Waxing cleans the surface, nourishes the leather fibers, and waterproofs the grain. It is what gives leather the patina we love so much.