How to look after a leather bag

Wipe the bag with a soft, dry cotton or microfibre cloth to take off dust and the oils from your hands. That is most of the work. Pay attention to the corners, the handles and the base, where dirt collects first.

Leather is skin, and it slowly dries out. A leather conditioner or balm keeps it supple and helps stop cracks at the folds. Use a small amount on a cloth, work it in with circular movements, leave it for a few minutes and buff off the rest. Always test on a hidden spot first – some products darken leather slightly. Smooth leather only; suede and nubuck are below.

Baby wipes, make-up wipes, alcohol, washing-up liquid, household sprays and hair dryers. They strip the leather's oils or dry it too fast, and the damage usually shows weeks later as dull patches or cracks.

This is the one we see most. Sun cream and after-sun leave greasy marks, and sea water leaves white salt lines. Wipe them off the same day with a cloth that is only slightly damp, then dry with a dry cloth. Shake sand out of the seams and the zip. Don't leave the bag in direct sun on a sunbed or behind a car windscreen – heat fades the colour and dries the leather.

Blot the water with a dry towel; don't rub. Fill the bag with plain, uncoloured paper so it keeps its shape, and let it dry slowly at room temperature. Never next to a radiator, heater or in the sun. Once it's completely dry, a little conditioner brings back the softness.

Oil or grease: blot, don't rub. A light dusting of cornflour or talc left overnight can draw out fresh oil; brush it off in the morning.

Ink, wine or dye: don't experiment. Home remedies often spread the stain. Bring it to a professional.

Denim: dark jeans can rub blue onto light leather. Wipe early; old transfer is much harder to remove.

Stuff the bag lightly with paper so it doesn't crease, and keep it in a cotton dust bag – not plastic, which traps moisture. Stand it upright on a shelf rather than hanging it by the straps for months. Keep it somewhere dry and airy; in a humid summer a sachet of silica gel inside helps. If you see white or green spots of mould, wipe them off outdoors with a dry cloth and let the bag air. If they come back, ask a professional.

Wipe buckles, clasps and zips with a dry cloth. Perfume, hand cream and hand sanitiser are hard on both metal and leather, so let them dry before you pick up your bag. A zip that sticks usually just needs cleaning – don't force it.

Use a suede brush, always in one direction, and a suede eraser for small marks. Keep water away. A protector spray made for suede, applied before first use, helps a lot. No conditioners or creams.

Let them rest a day between wears, use shoe trees to hold the shape, and treat them with a cream in the matching colour now and then. Wet shoes: paper inside, room temperature, no heater.

Torn stitching, a broken strap or handle, a zip that won't close, worn corners, faded colour or a stain you're unsure about: that's what our Care & Repair service is for. We repair bags, shoes, watches, clothing and sunglasses, and within Alanya and Antalya we can collect from your hotel or home and bring it back once it's ready (for a service fee). If you bought your bag from us, check your guarantee card first – leather, zips and hardware are covered for life.