Whether you're an occasional or an everyday adventurer, your backpack is your faithful companion. It's important to pamper it to ensure its longevity and appearance.
So let's take a look at how to care for your backpack, whether it's made of leather, canvas or other materials.
1. Regularly clean
The first step in caring for your bag is regular cleaning. For most leather bags, a soft, slightly damp cloth is all you need to remove dirt and dust. From time to time, use a cleaner specially formulated for leather. Apply it with a clean cloth, using gentle circular movements. Apply a leather balm or cream to nourish the material and keep it supple. This prevents the leather from drying out and cracking.A little extra for vegan leather and imitation leather bags : use a leather conditioner adapted to these materials to nourish the material.
For canvas bags, we recommend brushing with a soft brush or cloth to remove dust and dirt. If the bag is washable, wash it by hand using lukewarm water and mild soap. Be sure to remove all straps and removable parts before washing. Let the bag air-dry in the shade to avoid discoloration.
Friendly advice: : avoid using harsh chemicals!
2. Protect them from water
Water can be your backpack's number one enemy, with a special mention for leather bags..To protect them from the rain, what better than a waterproofing product specially designed for leather.Waterproofing products are effective, but only for a limited time. They're also bad for the planet. So coated canvas can come to your rescue (and that's the advantage of all our bags). A textile that has been treated with a protective coating, usually designed to make it waterproof or weather-resistant.
For canvas bags, a water-repellent coating is essential to prevent water from seeping in. So your essentials stay dry.
3.Avoid overloading
As well as taking the strain off your back, not overloading your faithful companion will prevent premature wear or deformation.
4. Store it properly
A bag should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from light. You can also fill it with tissue paper or cloth when not in use to maintain its shape.
5. Avoid contact with rough or dirty surfaces
Avoid placing your backpack on rough or dirty surfaces that could scratch, dirty or damage your bag. Here again, coated canvas bags are less likely to get dirty. Even if you don't always have a bag-holder to hand, you can use a chair or coat hanger instead.
6. Quickly deal with tasks
If you spill something on your bag, deal with it immediately. The sooner a stain is cleaned up, the easier it is to remove. For light stains, a damp cloth may suffice.For more stubborn stains, consult the cleaning instructions specific to the material of your bag. Some fabrics can be machine-washed, but only cold. Do NOT tumble dry.
7. Pay attention to zippers
Zips are key components of your backpack. Avoid sand and salt water for these parts as much as possible. Zips need to be kept clean: the more gently you open and close them, the longer they'll last
8. Fix problems fast
Because bag-related problems are like problems in life: the quicker they're solved, the smaller they become. As soon as you notice signs of wear, such as holes, tears or loose seams on your bag, repair them quickly to prevent the problem from getting worse.Special mention for our La Virgule bags. Washing a bag has never been so easy.
All you need is :
• Warm water
• Soap
• A sponge and paper towel
• A little elbow grease
And you've got a brand-new bag. Stubborn stain? Try cleaning a small part of the stain with a little acetone and see how it reacts (everywhere but the logo!). Judge, continue or stop the process. Because, yes, we're not immune to disaster, despite the hard work of following these 8 commandments.
By following these 8 commandments for keeping your backpack in top condition, your backpack will thank you. You'll extend its lifespan, keep it in good condition and preserve its appearance. Regularity is the key to ensuring that your backpack will be with you on your adventures for many years to come.
