What’s involved with cleaning Vachetta leather?
Vachetta leather, adorning many luxury handbags, exudes sophistication with its natural, untreated look. However, maintaining the pristine condition of vachetta leather requires a specialist approach to cleaning. In this comprehensive guide, we'll unravel the secrets of caring for your vachetta leather handbag, ensuring it remains a timeless piece in your collection.
Understanding Vachetta Leather:
Before delving into the cleaning process, let's understand vachetta leather. This type of leather is untreated, meaning it lacks the protective coatings found on other leathers. It develops a patina over time, showcasing its unique character, it changes colour and gains different hues. Vachetta or Vachette as some call it, comes from a calf or sometimes a cow but only particular parts of the body are used. However, its susceptibility to stains and scratches necessitates a gentle touch during cleaning.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Ensure you have the following items ready for the cleaning process:
- Mild Leather Cleaner: An aniline leather cleaner is the best option for untreated leathers.
- Soft Cloths: Bamboo pads, Bamboo cloths or cotton cloths work best to prevent scratches.
- Distilled Water: Avoid tap water to prevent mineral deposits on the leather.
- Soft Bristle Brush: A toothbrush or a dedicated leather brush for gentle scrubbing.
- Leather Conditioner: Essential for restoring moisture after cleaning, a protection cream / leather food.
Step 2: Pre-Cleaning Inspection
Examine your vachetta leather handbag for stains, spots, or areas in need of attention. Identify any specific stains to tailor your cleaning approach accordingly.
Step 3: Dusting and Brushing
Begin by gently brushing off any loose dirt or dust with a soft bristle brush. This step prevents scratching during the cleaning process.
Step 4: Testing in an Inconspicuous Spot
Before applying any cleaner, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the handbag to ensure compatibility and avoid unexpected discoloration.
Step 5: Cleaning the Leather
- A light clean: For a light clean, apply some distilled water to a cloth and then spray on some leather cleaner to the cloth and gently wipe over the areas to be cleaned, this avoids any possibility of creating issues when carrying out a slight clean as there is no need for full strength leather cleaner. The distilled water prevents mineral deposits on the leather from happening.
- A full clean: Dampen a soft cloth with a mild leather cleaner. Gently wipe down the vachetta leather, paying extra attention to areas with stains or spots. You can spray the gentle leather cleaner into a soft bristle brush and brush in one direction only to help lift stain and grime from the leather.
Step 6: Addressing Stains
For stubborn stains:
- Ink Stains: Dab with alcohol cleaner mixed with distilled water using a cotton swab.
- Water Stains: Evenly dampen the entire surface to avoid water spots.
- Oil Stains: Blot with talcum powder, then brush off, then clean with aniline leather cleaner mixed with distilled water.
Step 7: Drying Properly
Allow your vachetta leather handbag to air-dry naturally. Avoid using heat sources, as they can cause the leather to stain and dry out quickly, do not place near heat or place in a box while drying.
Step 8: Conditioning
Once dry, apply a small amount of leather conditioner using a clean, soft cloth. This step is crucial for replenishing natural oils and maintaining the leather's suppleness.
Step 9: Protecting Against Future Stains
Consider applying a leather protector or water repellent to shield your vachetta leather handbag from future stains.
Step 10: Storing with Care
When not in use, store your vachetta leather handbag in a dust bag or pillowcase to protect it from dust and light exposure, make sure it’s a pure white cloth, not a coloured cloth, also never place your handbag away within 72 hours of cleaning.