It happens to everyone sometimes: you’re caught in a rain shower and your beautiful leather bag is soaked. Or you spill a glass of water on 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 penetrates the leather, it displaces the natural oils that keep the leather supple. When the leather subsequently dries, those oils do not automatically return to their original place. The result: stiff, dry leather that can shrink, discolor, or even crack.
With vegetable-tanned leather, such as the leather we use at Beocca, this effect is stronger than with chrome-tanned leather. Vegetable-tanned leather naturally absorbs more water. But with the right care after it gets wet, there is no need to worry.
What should you do? Step by step
Step 1: Blot up the water
Immediately take a soft, clean cloth or towel and gently blot up the water. Do not rub. Rubbing pushes the water deeper into the leather and can damage the surface. Blot, blot, blot.
Step 2: Empty your bag
Take everything out of your bag. Check whether the inside is wet as well. If the lining is damp, leave the bag open so the inside can dry too.
Step 3: Fill the bag
Loosely stuff your bag with newspapers, tissue paper, or paper towels. This absorbs moisture from the inside and helps the bag retain its shape while drying. Replace the paper after a few hours if it is soaked through.
Step 4: Let it dry slowly
Place your bag on a clean towel in a well-ventilated area at room temperature. This is the most important thing:
- Never place it near a radiator or heater
- Never dry it with a hair dryer
- Never place it in direct sunlight
- Never put it in the tumble dryer
Heat causes leather to shrink, crack, and lose its shape. Patience is key here. Depending on how wet your bag has become, it can take 24 to 48 hours for the leather to dry completely.
Step 5: Condition the leather
Once the leather is completely dry (and not before), apply a layer of leather balm or leather grease. This replenishes the lost oils and makes the leather supple again. Apply it with a soft cloth using circular motions and let it absorb.
Learn more about the right products in our article about the best leather grease and leather balm.
Water stains on leather
Sometimes water leaves unsightly stains on leather, especially on light-colored, 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 may sound contradictory, but evenly dampening the entire surface prevents edges from forming.
- Let the leather dry evenly at room temperature.
- Then treat it with leather balm.
In most cases, this will completely remove the water stain. For stubborn stains, you can repeat the process.
How can you prevent water damage?
- Condition regularly: 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 additional protection. Always test it on an inconspicuous area first.
- Be prepared: Rain in the forecast? Bring an umbrella or choose a different bag that day.
Frequently asked questions
Can my leather bag handle a little rain?
Yes, a brief shower is not a disaster. Blot up the water and let the bag dry. Problems only arise when the leather remains wet for an extended period without proper care.
Is my bag ruined if it is soaked through?
In most cases, no. Follow the steps above and your bag should come through just fine. Permanent damage can occur only if the leather was already dried out or damaged before it got wet.
Can I make leather waterproof?
Not completely waterproof, but you can make it water-resistant. Regular conditioning and, if necessary, applying a waterproofing spray can help enormously.
Beocca bags and water
Our bags made from Italian full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather are robust, but not waterproof. We recommend regularly applying a good leather balm to your Beocca bag. This builds 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 not a disaster, but it does require the right approach: blot up the water, let it dry slowly at room temperature, and then condition the leather with leather balm. Never use heat sources to speed up the process. With these steps, your leather bag can survive any rain shower.
