Renovating and Caring for Leather Goods

A leather handbag, a wallet, a belt or a school satchel lives to the rhythm of our days: put down on the floor, tucked under an arm, opened and closed dozens of times. The leather of leather goods wears, gets dirty, scratches and dries out much faster than you might think.

Yet when well cared for, it lasts for years and even gains character. All it takes is the right care at the right time: a gentle clean, a little nourishment, some protection, and a repair when a snag appears.

This page helps you identify what your item needs and points you towards the right method and products.

Choose the right care for your leather goods

Bags, wallets, belts: leather goods that get a lot of use

Leather goods cover all the small and large leather items of everyday life: handbags, tote bags, satchels, messenger bags, briefcases, school satchels, wallets, card holders, belts, gloves, luggage and cases. They all have one thing in common: they are handled constantly. Hands leave their sebum on them, corners rub against clothing and seats, handles wear at the fold, and rain marks the leather.

The result: dulling leather, stains that set in, corners that turn white and a material that eventually stiffens. The good news is that most of these flaws can be dealt with yourself, at home, with a few well-chosen products.

Cleaning a leather bag or wallet

All care starts with cleaning. For a bag that is looked after regularly, glycerine soap gently removes dust and everyday marks, without drying out or discolouring. For leather goods that are rarely cleaned or for a real stain, the more powerful SOFOLK stain remover takes over.

The method, how to treat ink, grease or make-up marks, and the precautions to take are detailed on our page about cleaning leather goods.

Nourishing and protecting leather every day

Clean leather needs to be nourished to stay supple, then protected to last. Nourishing oil gives it back its natural oils; protective wax or silky varnish then lay down a film that shields its grain and colour from rubbing; the waterproofing protector makes water and liquids bead up.

Wax or varnish, oil or no oil, depending on the type of leather: all the rules are gathered on our page dedicated to caring for leather goods.

Repairing a scratch, a snag or a worn corner

A cut on the flap of a bag, a scratch on a wallet, a frayed corner or a crack at the fold of a handle: this surface damage can be repaired without a seamstress. Cicacuir bonds cuts and snags back together while remaining invisible, and Repacuir fills scratches, cracks and small missing areas before recolouring.

The step-by-step procedure can be found on our page on repairing leather goods.

The right care for your leather

• Smooth or grained leather: it accepts all types of care, from cleaning to protection.
• Fine lambskin, especially in a dark colour: oil is not recommended, as it disperses poorly and leaves a dark stain.
• Suede and nubuck: no oil or wax, which mark the nap; gentle cleaning and waterproofing protector only.
• Faux leather: it can be cleaned with glycerine soap or stain remover, but it cannot be nourished: oil and wax are of no use to it.

Your jackets need the same attention: find them in our section on renovating leather jackets. For your shoes, see renovating leather shoes.

Why choose Sofolk?

For more than 30 years, Sofolk has designed and made leather renovation and care products in France, near Bordeaux. These are the same treatments we use on sofas, club chairs and car seats, adapted here to smaller and often more precious items.

Unsure about the material of your bag or which product to use? Send us a photo: we will reply by message, by telephone or on the forum.

Frequently asked questions

How do I care for a leather handbag?

Dust it regularly, clean it with glycerine soap when it dulls, nourish it with oil at least once a year if it is smooth leather, then protect it with a wax or varnish and, if it often goes out in the rain, with a waterproofing protector.

How do I clean a stained leather bag?

Use the foam stain remover, after testing on a hidden area, and wipe with a microfibre cloth. Clean the whole panel rather than just the stain, to avoid a ring forming as it dries.

Can a damaged leather wallet or bag be repaired?

Yes, for surface damage: cuts, snags, scratches, cracks and worn corners can be repaired with Cicacuir and Repacuir. Repacuir must then be recoloured for the repair to become invisible. A broken seam or a torn-off handle, on the other hand, is a job for a leather craftsman.

Should you nourish the leather of a handbag?

Yes, if it is smooth or grained leather: nourishing oil restores its suppleness and stops it cracking at the folds. It is not recommended on dark lambskin, suede and nubuck, and is of no use on faux leather.

Wax or varnish: which should you choose to protect leather goods?

One or the other, never both. Wax enhances patinated and vintage leathers, with a satin feel, but needs renewing more often. Silky varnish withstands rubbing better, protects against UV and allows the colour to be touched up over it if needed.