At Kelly Wynne we want you to enjoy your leather goods for a lifetime. From the moment they are crafted, until they find their forever home. Extending the life of your Kelly Wynne product starts with everyday care to avoid unnecessary wear and tear.
- Avoid overfilling your leather handbag, wallet or accessories to maintain its original silhouette and keep it from stretching. Once a leather item is stretched it will not regain its shape back.
- Take extra care of leather items you use often. Take time to wipe away dust and spots with a soft cloth or brush. Condition once or twice a year. Shake out the liner periodically to keep the inside nice and clean.
- Scratches can detract from a flawlessly crafted piece. Take care to avoid contact with heavily embellished clothes, sharp surfaces, or sharp jewelry when you are out and about.
- Leather should be kept dry, but if it does get wet, let it dry naturally, forced heat will damage the natural material and sunlight will fade the color.
- Consider a professional cleaning once a year.
Dos and Don'ts
- Do regularly clean leather with a soft brush or cloth
- Do regularly air out leather
- Do blot away water or moisture as soon as possible
- Do dry wet leather naturally, away from artificial heat
- Do keep leather supple with a specialized leather conditioner every 3-6 months
- Do clean spots and stains with a mixture of soap flakes and warm water - spot check first.
- Do test any conditioners, cleaners, polishes or wax in a hidden spot beforehand
- Don't machine wash leather
- Don't get leather wet wherever possible
- Don't dry wet leather next to a radiator or with a hairdryer
- Don't tumble dry leather
- Don't iron leather
- Don't immerse leather in water to clean
Storing your leather appropriately is one of the easiest ways you can prevent damage and maintain a high-quality finish:
- Store leather away from direct sunlight as this can cause fading
- Store handbags in a dust bag to avoid scratches
- Avoid using plastic bags, they prevent good ventilation
- Store leather away from artificial sources of heat, e.g. radiators can cause leather to dry and crack
- Clean your bag regularly - Whether it’s new or old, as well as protecting your bag, regular cleaning is a must. For a quick wipe-down, a damp cloth is enough, but typically bags will need a more thorough clean by a professional or using specialist cleaning product every 2-3 months to keep them in top condition.
- Only use specialist leather cleaners - Never use baby wipes, vinegar or any other ‘home remedy’ for cleaning. Many of these products have chemicals and substances in them that can cause drying or color loss.
- Keep your bag in a dust bag when not in use - If your handbag came with a dust bag, use it! This will prevent the build-up of dust when it’s not in use and prevent any accidental scuffs. If you don’t have a dust bag, use a white pillowcase.
- Keep your bag stuffed - When not in use, stuff your bag with bubble wrap or even some old clothing to help keep its shape.
- Keep in mind, natural oils from the skin or oils from moisturizers can damage the leather and cause it to discolor.
- Avoid wearing a light coloured bag with new denim jeans - Dye transfer is one of the toughest stains to remove. One of the most common causes is wearing new denim jeans with a light coloured handbag. Avoid dye transfer by (you guessed it!) protecting your bag and washing new jeans before wearing them.
- Make sure the lid’s on! - Leaking pens, water bottles and even foundation not only ruin your day but can ruin your bag too! (You would not believe the amount of horror stories we have heard) When we’re in a rush, we’re all guilty of throwing everything in our bag and not checking if they’re sealed properly. Take time to put pens in a pencil case, your make-up in a bag and check your water bottle!
- Be careful where you place your bag - At home, in the car, at work, etc. Where do you keep your bag when it’s not in use? To prevent color fading and damage to the leather, try to avoid heaters and direct sunlight. Heat can cause the leather to dry, resulting in cracking. The best way to prevent drying is by cleaning and protecting your bag every 2-3 months. Leather protection cream not only protects your bag from stains but will condition the leather too.
- Use a handbag hook when dining out - aimed to keep your bag safe from wet tables and grubby floors!
Although it's tempting to leave our handbags packed with our daily essentials ready for the next day, instead take the time to empty them completely to avoid warping. Once empty, you can maintain the handbag's silhouette by gently filling it with plain, acid-free tissue paper.
If you are planning to leave your bag in storage for an extended period - until next season, for example - we recommend taking the time to wrap hardware such as zips and clasps in acid-free tissue paper to avoid them creating any unwanted imprints on your leather.
The next stage is to cover your bag, preferably in the dust bag in which it arrived with - these are cut to the right size to avoid squashing and warping. If you no longer have the original dust bag, a white cotton pillowcase can be an ideal substitute - do not use a colored fabric to avoid the color transferring.
Once covered, place your covered handbag away from direct sunlight and artificial sources of heat. Be sure to stand it on its base rather than hanging it up, as this can stretch the handles. Additionally, take care to choose a spot that is tall enough to allow the handles to stand up unimpeded. Doing otherwise can cause them to become bent or misshapen.
- Do not overfill the various pockets, compartments and card slots to maintain the silhouette.
- When carrying your item in a handbag, you can prevent scratches and imprints simply by storing your item in a separate compartment or a designated zip pocket in the lining.
- It's good practice to gently wipe or brush your items regularly to remove the daily build up of dust and dirt.
While our travel line is designed with durability and the wear and tear of travel in mind, there are a few easy steps you can take to preserve the quality and finish of your weekend bags, toiletry cases and totes. Each fabric used in the design of Kelly Wynne handbags is carefully selected for its color, texture, durability, and beauty. Please treat these fabrics with care to extend the life of your bag.
Before and after travel, when your bag is in your care, always stand it on its protective feet rather than on its side to minimize contact with the floor.
In between trips, empty your travel bag and store it in its protective bag in a spot that comfortably accommodates it without the need for folding handles or tightly packing it against any other accessories.
Bags and accessories crafted in cotton twill or canvas fabric (including jacquard) can be cleaned with warm water and mild soap on a clean cloth. Please be certain to thoroughly test an inconspicuous area prior to actual stain removal to avoid uncontrollable variations in material reaction. Never immerse your travel product in water since it will damage the leather trim and accents. This can also cause rust on the hardware.
PVC, while tough, is delicate in its own way.
- Avoid placing sharp objects inside your bag, instead opt for soft pouches to keep your items organized and protect the inside from scratches
- Wipe down your bag after each use to avoid smudges and dirt to keep your bag looking clean.
- Let your clear handbag air dry until it is completely moisture-free.
- Never put your Clear Bag or Beach Bag handbags in the washer or dryer. Avoid applying artificial heat like Hair dryers or placing close to a heater or radiator as it may melt.
- Avoid using solvents, such as acetone nail polish remover on your PVC handbag. Solvents can permanently damage the PVC and the leather accents.
- If your handbag is supplemented with leather or other material, be sure to use cleaning items that are appropriate for both materials.
- Keep your PVC handbag away from excessive heat; even leaving it in your car when it is hot outside can irreparably damage your bag.
- Finally, store your bag within a light colored cotton dust bag, as PVC has a tendency to “bond” with other materials under certain conditions over time.