It happens to everyone at some point: you're caught out by a rain shower and your beautiful leather bag is soaked. Or you spill a glass of water over your bag. Don't panic. With the right approach you can prevent water damage and save your bag.
This article is part of our complete guide to caring for a leather bag.
Why is water harmful to leather?
Leather is a natural material with a porous structure. When water soaks into the leather, it displaces the natural oils that keep the leather supple. Once the leather then dries, those oils don't automatically take their place again. The result: stiff, dry leather that can shrink, discolour or even crack.
With vegetable-tanned leather, such as we use at Beocca, this effect is stronger than with chrome-tanned leather. Vegetable-tanned leather is naturally more water-absorbent. But with the right steps after it gets wet, there's nothing to worry about.
What should you do? Step by step
Step 1: Dab up the water
Immediately grab a soft, clean cloth or towel and gently dab up the water. Don't rub. Rubbing pushes the water deeper into the leather and can damage the surface. Dab, dab, dab.
Step 2: Empty your bag
Take everything out of your bag. Check whether the inside is wet too. If the lining is damp, leave the bag open so the inside can dry as well.
Step 3: Fill the bag
Loosely stuff your bag with newspaper, tissue paper or kitchen roll. This absorbs moisture from the inside and helps the bag keep its shape while drying. Replace the paper after a few hours if it's soaked through.
Step 4: Let it dry slowly
Set your bag on a clean towel in a spot with good air circulation, at room temperature. This is the most important thing of all:
- Never place it by a radiator or heater
- Never dry it with a hairdryer
- Never place it in direct sunlight
- Never put it in the tumble dryer
Heat makes leather shrink, crack and lose its shape. Patience is the key here. Depending on how wet your bag has got, it can take 24 to 48 hours for the leather to dry completely.
Step 5: Nourish the leather
Once the leather is completely dry (and not before), apply a layer of leather balm or leather grease. This restores the lost oils and makes the leather supple again. Apply it with a soft cloth in circular motions and let it soak in.
Read more about the right products in our article on the best leather grease and leather balm.
Water stains on leather
Sometimes water leaves unsightly stains on leather, especially on light-coloured, vegetable-tanned leather. The stains are often darker than the surrounding leather.
How to remove water stains
- Lightly and evenly dampen the entire surface of the leather section with a clean, damp cloth. This sounds counterintuitive, but by dampening the whole surface evenly, you prevent edges from forming.
- Let the leather dry evenly at room temperature.
- Then treat it with leather balm.
In most cases this makes the water stain disappear completely. For stubborn stains you can repeat the process.
How do you prevent water damage?
- Preventive greasing: Applying leather grease or leather balm regularly makes the leather more water-resistant. The grease creates a protective layer.
- Water-repellent spray: A good spray based on beeswax or fluorine-free waterproofing agents can offer extra protection. Always test on an inconspicuous spot first.
- Be prepared: Rain in the forecast? Take an umbrella or choose a different bag for that day.
Frequently asked questions
Can my leather bag cope with a bit of rain?
Yes, a short shower is no disaster. Dab up the water and let the bag dry. Problems only arise if the leather stays wet for a long time without the right care.
Is my bag ruined if it's soaked through?
In most cases, no. Follow the steps above and your bag will come through it fine. Only if the leather was already dried out or damaged before it got wet can permanent damage occur.
Can I make leather waterproof?
Fully waterproof, no, but water-resistant, yes. Greasing it regularly and possibly applying a waterproofing spray help enormously.
Beocca bags and water
Our bags made from Italian full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather are robust, but not waterproof. We recommend treating your Beocca bag regularly with a good leather balm. That way you build up a natural protective layer that makes the leather more water-resistant.
From the Lua shoulder bag to the Finn backpack: with the right care, a rain shower is no problem at all.
Summary
A wet leather bag is no disaster, but it does call for the right approach: dab up the water, let it dry slowly at room temperature and then nourish the leather with leather balm. Never use heat sources to speed up the process. With these steps, your leather bag will survive every rain shower.
