How to care for a leather bag with wax (step by step)

A bag doesn't last because of what it costs. It lasts because of how you care for it. And caring for leather is no science —really—, but there's one gesture that changes everything: nourishing it with wax. Here's how we do it at Labienhecha.

Why you need to nourish the leather

Vegetable-tanned leather is exactly that: natural and alive. With use and time it can dry out a little, just like our own skin. Wax gives it back its nourishment, protects it and brings out that lovely little shine it had on day one. It doesn't disguise it: it keeps it alive.

Which wax to use

We recommend natural beeswax —which, at last, we have at Labienhecha—. It's natural and gets along wonderfully with our vegetable-tanned leathers (though it also works on a thousand other leathers and materials), which take it without any problem both outside and inside. If you use another one, make sure it's neutral and made for leather; avoid harsh products or ones with solvents (and no, we don't recommend supermarket moisturisers...)

How often

It's not an everyday thing. Doing it a couple of times a year (or whenever you notice the leather looking dull) is enough. Less, but better: with care too.

How to apply it, step by step

1. A little product on a soft cloth (or directly, carefully).
2. Always work in circles, on the outside, no rush. For me, caring for leather is exactly that: a calm little moment.
3. Even it out well, including the corners, which is where it shows most.
4. Let it rest for a while so the leather absorbs it (we even leave it overnight)
5. And that's it. Store it in its place and relax.

And if it has a mark?

Don't panic or scrub roughly with water. On our fuller-bodied leathers, take a microfibre or cotton cloth—something that lets you rub gently in circles— and apply the wax, then gradually remove the excess. I promise the bag will look as good as new. And on the water-repellent ones, even easier: they clean inside and out without drama.

Can I apply wax on all Labienhecha bags?

Yes, but with a few things to keep in mind:

Natural leather with a finish: we're talking about the colors red, turquoise and night blue (gloss finish) and taupe brown and black (matte finish): apply it without fear both outside and inside

Natural leather with no finish: we're talking about wine, natural, terracotta, baby blue and classic black, plus the 3 colors of La Inesperada in brown, dark green and lavender grey: they all accept wax inside and out. Black takes wax perfectly with no problem, but with the other colors you should know that applying the wax will deepen the leather's tone; you'll notice a strong impact at first that, once it absorbs, eases off a little.

These colors terracotta, wine, baby blue and natural are the most natural ones and the ones that will show the most signs of use, marks and history.

We recommend using the wax when we want to unify the leather, even out the color, etc. For example: if your terracotta backpack got rained on, it's highly likely that, once dry - remember, naturally, without putting it in the sun or near a heater - it will show signs. If you want to unify it, you'll have to apply wax over the WHOLE surface.

Soft water-repellent leather: these are the colors of La Ventana de Primavera (lemon yellow, Mauve, Jade, Blush and the two eggplants): this leather is bombproof. They accept rough cleaning and wax inside and out.

Rigid water-repellent leather: these are all the colors of our structured bags like Rafaelas, Paquita, Pepa, Bernardita, Ninas, Origamis, Ramonas...here you can apply without fear too. The bag will thank you for it :)

The 5 care habits that extend your bag's life

• Nourish with wax a couple of times a year.
• Away from direct sun and heat sources.
• Wipe off dust daily with a cotton cloth
• Vacuum the inside, lined or not (especially backpacks and bags with the raw underside visible inside, the unlined ones)
• Store it stuffed and in its fabric bag, never in plastic.
• Faced with a mark, remove it dry. Don't rub with water carelessly.
• If it's natural leather, let it build patina. It's not wear, it's history. And it's the beauty of this leather.
• If you have a real drama, ask us: leather is a noble, grateful material. If it's picked up damp, mould, got scratched or similar, there are alternatives and options.

What we DON'T recommend:

• Using body moisturisers or oils
• Using brushes on the outside (you can use one on the inner raw side if it's got dirty)
  
• Of course, never put it in the washing machine
• Cleaning products like ammonia or similar

Keep learning about your leather

• Types of leather for bags: the complete guide
• Does leather get ruined by water? The test

See our bags →

Caring for what you have is also a way of consuming better. A well-made bag doesn't get thrown away: it gets cared for.