When you buy new shoes, you think about purchasing "care products" at the same time, but when you buy a bag, you don't think about care items—if you've just realized this, we'd like to suggest "bag care." We learned various care techniques from Makoto Saito of R&D Co., Ltd., which handles the shoe care brand M.MOWBRAY .

Basic care instructions

The importance of leather care becomes clear when you think of it in terms of how it's treated for human skin.

Saito: Lately, we've been getting more and more inquiries from customers who have purchased new bags about how to care for the leather.

This is according to Makoto Saito of R&D Co., Ltd., which handles the shoe care brand M.MOWBRAY . We asked Mr. Saito about leather bag care techniques.

"Leather care is often compared to 'skincare.' Just like human skin, leather will dry out if left untreated. When it dries out, the surface hardens and becomes more prone to problems. Basic skincare, such as washing your face and then applying moisture and nutrients, is becoming quite widespread among men, so I think the procedure will be easy to understand. Proper care will enhance the inherent beauty of the leather, so I hope you'll make it a habit."

Ikezawa: Because of my job, I often find myself looking at men's business bags on the train during my commute, and I frequently see bags with dry, cracked leather. It's strange, isn't it, since both shoes and bags are made of leather? Can I assume that bag care is the same as shoe care?


Saito : Yes, I think the procedure of brushing the entire surface to remove dust and dirt, then removing dirt with a remover, nourishing it with cream, and finally applying a waterproofing spray is a familiar one.
Ikezawa Leather's care is often compared to "skincare," isn't it?
Saito: That's right. Just like human skin, leather will dry out if you don't take care of it. When it dries out, the surface hardens and becomes more prone to problems.
Ikezawa: Basic skincare, which involves washing your face and then applying moisture and nutrients, has become quite widespread among men, so I think the procedure will be easy for them to understand.
Saito: If you take good care of your leather, its natural charm will increase. I hope you'll make leather care a regular habit so that it ages beautifully.

Bags, wallets, and business card holders all require care.

Saito : "First, to care for your bag, prepare a horsehair brush and cream. There are various types of brushes, such as those made from horse, pig, or goat hair, but basically, horsehair is fine. Horsehair has fine, dense bristles that are soft yet have just the right amount of elasticity, making it suitable for removing dust from the texture of leather and the gaps between stitching threads. Pig bristles are hard and have gaps between them, making them suitable for cleaning dirt from the edges and soles of shoes."

Saito Cream is M. MOWBRAY's Cream Essential. It's the brand's signature natural lotion for leather, providing moisturizing properties and a moderate shine, so it nourishes the leather while removing dirt.
I'm worried that the color of the Ikezawa leather might fade...
The residue is simply a combination of the leather's natural oils and dyes, not the dye itself. However, some hand-dyed or post-dyed leathers are delicate, so be sure to check the care instructions when purchasing.
Ikezawa: Just like with shoes, it's important to first test the cream on an inconspicuous area. Is a horsehair brush best?
Saito: There are many types of brushes made from horse, pig, and goat hair, but horsehair is fine. It can be used on suede, but for suede, I recommend using a rubber brush like the ones used for shoes and a suede-specific conditioning spray.
Ikezawa: Also, for cordovan leather, please use the special cream "Cordovan Cream Renovator." In addition to color restoration, nourishment, and polishing of cordovan, it can also be used for color restoration and polishing of glass leather. It can also be used on bridle leather. Apply a thin layer and brush to bring out the shine.

A moisturizing cream that enhances the texture of leather without adding shine.

You'll also want to have a "delicate cream" on hand for moisturizing. It contains a lot of moisture and less oil, so it helps to preserve the leather's natural texture while keeping the shine subdued. Although it doesn't contain any cleaning agents, gently applying the cream to the surface of the leather will also help to wipe away surface dirt.

The frequency of maintenance depends on how often you use your bag, but if you use it every day, once a month is recommended. Proper maintenance will help preserve the texture of the leather, resulting in a beautiful aged look.

Troubleshooting Guide

Can fingerprints and other stains be removed?

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The surface of a bag can get quite dirty without you even realizing it. The edges can become black with fingerprints, or stains can appear without you noticing. It's common knowledge to use a cleaner to remove dirt from shoes, but we've been introduced to a cleaner that can also be used to remove dirt from bags.

"At M. MOWBRAY, we use stain-cleansing water. It removes old cream oils and other residue from the surface of the leather, improving breathability. After that, apply cream to nourish it. The purpose of removing dirt from leather is to remove dirt that is clogged in the pores. To use a human skincare analogy, it's like removing makeup and returning to a bare state. Just as you apply cream to the leather of new shoes before wearing them for the first time, the same applies to bags. Since there is time between the time the product is made and when it reaches the customer's hands, think of the leather not as bare, but more like sensitive skin. Basic care such as brushing and applying cream before use is all you need. It can also be used on the white stains (salt) that seep out of shoes and bags after they get wet in the rain."

I want to take extra care to prevent water damage in addition to the basic care.

We just heard about your experience with getting wet in the rain, and it's important to take care of your leather goods beforehand to protect them from the rain. Natural cowhide leather has areas that are more susceptible to water absorption than others, and when it gets wet, the boundary between these areas tends to become uneven. Applying cream beforehand to prepare the leather and then spraying it with a waterproof (water-repellent) spray will make it less susceptible to damage.

"I recommend M. MOWBRAY's spray-type leather conditioner, Nappa Care Soft Leather Nourishing and Waterproofing (Water-Repellent) Spray. This spray contains waterproofing (water-repellent) ingredients, so simply spraying it all over will provide both leather care and waterproofing (water-repellent) effects. It dries quickly, so you can use it before going out."

Another product, Protector Alpha Large All-Purpose Water-Repellent and Stain-Resistant Spray, is useful not only for preventing water damage but also for caring for items after they get wet in the rain. This spray can be used on a wide range of materials, including leather and fabric. It protects against rain, snow, dust, dirt, oil, and other stains, providing both waterproofing (water-repellent) and stain-resistant effects. It can be used on shoes and bags, and even umbrellas during heavy rain.

*All prices include tax.

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Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building B1F = Bags
03-3352-1111 (main representative)
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