8 Ways to Care for Leather Bags to Prevent Mold

Desiring an item isn’t enough by just buying it. Regular maintenance is also necessary to prevent it from getting damaged. For instance, when desiring a leather bag, it’s essential to understand how to care for leather bags to prevent mold, of course.

Bags made from leather are known for their quality. Unfortunately, if you live in a tropical area, leather is more susceptible to damage. For example, it can be affected by mold, dust, and even peeling. To avoid such damage, pay attention to how to care for leather bags to prevent mold.

Caring for leather bags to prevent mold is not a casual matter. A small mistake can lead to them becoming moldy. Things to consider include storage, the contents of the bag, and so on.

Moisture Absorption
Using moisture-absorbing agents for leather bags is highly effective in preventing mold, especially when there’s no storage place with a normal temperature. However, occasionally, expose the bag to sunlight briefly. Just a little bit and for a short time, as leather bags can peel if exposed too much.

You can also hang the bag outdoors to keep it dry. In addition to storing the bag in a place with good air circulation, it’s equally important to let the bag stay outside of storage. Hang the bag outdoors for a few hours during the daytime to keep it dry.

Drying
Drying a leather bag is crucial, especially after unexpected situations like exposure to rain, spilled drinks, or splashes of water. This is a necessary step in caring for leather bags to prevent mold.

To start the process, use a dry cloth. It’s best to avoid using tissue paper, as it can stick to the bag. Wipe along the grain of the leather material. You can also use a towel by gently patting it.

Patting to clean is safer than rubbing, as it prevents any damage to the leather grain. For cleaning stubborn stains, like oil, never use water. Water can cause the leather to peel, so avoid it.

Anti-Mold Lotion
It turns out that regular cleaning alone isn’t enough. You should also apply anti-mold lotion to the bag. This lotion can be applied after the cleaning process is complete. It’s important to do this after hanging it outside or sun-drying it. One crucial thing not to forget is to use anti-mold lotion after cleaning it, and then store the bag in a place with the right temperature.

Good Air Circulation
Proper air circulation significantly impacts the quality of your leather bag. Mold is more likely to grow in closed and humid environments. Caring for a leather bag to prevent mold demands that the owner be sensitive to its storage conditions. Good air circulation means it’s not humid, and this will make it less susceptible to mold.

Don’t let it become damaged after spending a significant amount on it. Instead of using it infrequently, it’s actually better to use it more often. Leather bags that are rarely used are more prone to peeling. Also, ensure that your bag’s storage location is at a normal room temperature.

Avoid Sunlight
It’s a given that leather bags should be kept away from direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause the color of the leather bag to fade. Furthermore, the texture of the leather bag can become more prone to cracking.

This precaution is also necessary when the bag is wet or damp. It’s better to store the bag in a cool and dry place. If it’s wet, pat it dry with a towel to speed up the drying process. This is also a part of caring for a leather bag to prevent mold.

Don’t Stack Them
To avoid damaging the leather bag, refrain from stacking them. Stacking leather bags can be especially damaging, especially if the items on top are heavy. Leather bags also need to breathe. When the pores of the leather bag are covered, it can’t breathe, which may lead to mold growth.

Check the Bag’s Contents
Inspecting the contents of the leather bag is an important step. Caring for a leather bag to prevent mold also requires attentiveness. This is to anticipate any items that might trigger damage, such as mold. For example, items made of plastic.

Leather bags that come into contact with plastic materials can promote mold growth. Plastic can absorb color dyes from the leather material and create stains resembling mold. To ensure the longevity of your leather bag, it’s advisable to regularly check its contents.

Baking Powder
Leather bags can also develop unpleasant odors, especially if they have been stored and unused for an extended period. Caring for a leather bag to prevent mold should also involve preventing unpleasant odors, but not by spraying perfume, rather by using baking powder.

Place a bowl of baking powder inside the leather bag. Ensure that the leather bag is already protected by a dust bag or pillowcase. Then leave it for 24 hours, and the baking powder will absorb the unpleasant odor.

Source : https://www.liputan6.com