How to Keep Leather Accessories Looking New for Years
By Chemists and Perfumers since 1790 D R Harris London | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Tips & Care
A practical, ordered routine for cleaning, conditioning, and storing leather wash bags and small goods so they age well instead of wearing out.
Quick answer
Wipe leather with a soft dry cloth after every trip, clean only when soiled using a lightly damp cloth and mild soap, then let it air dry away from radiators and sunlight. Condition a few times a year, not weekly, and store the piece stuffed and dust-free so it holds its shape between uses.
Start with a five-minute routine after every trip
Travel is when most damage happens: grit in a wash bag, sunscreen residue on a handle, a damp toothbrush pressed against leather for hours. Empty the bag completely, shake out crumbs and dust, and wipe the surface with a dry, lint-free cloth. If you see a white bloom or sticky patch, that is usually product residue rather than a defect, and it lifts off with a barely damp cloth followed by a dry buff. Doing this before the bag goes back in a drawer prevents most of the staining people later try to scrub out.
Clean gently, and only when the leather is actually dirty
Over-cleaning does more harm than under-cleaning. For routine marks, use a cloth wrung out until it is almost dry, with a drop of mild, uncoloured soap if needed. Work in small circles, then wipe away the soap with a clean damp cloth and dry immediately. Avoid alcohol wipes, acetone, bleach, and household multi-surface sprays, which strip the finish and can leave a permanent dull patch. On a wash bag with a waterproof lining, clean the lining separately with water and mild soap, and keep the leather exterior as dry as you can while doing it.
Dry slowly, then condition sparingly
Heat is the fastest way to ruin leather. Never dry a bag on a radiator, with a hairdryer, or in direct sun, because the fibres tighten unevenly and the surface cracks. Let it air dry at room temperature, away from windows, with the bag open so air reaches the inside. Once fully dry, apply a small amount of leather conditioner or cream with a fingertip or soft cloth, let it absorb for a few minutes, and buff off the excess. Twice a year is plenty for most accessories; more frequent conditioning can make leather feel greasy and attract dust.
Store leather so it holds its shape
A collapsed bag creases along the same lines every time it is stored, and those creases eventually become cracks. Stuff the bag lightly with acid-free tissue or a clean cotton cloth, close any zip, and stand it upright in a cool, dry cupboard. Skip plastic bags, which trap moisture, and avoid damp basements or hot lofts. If you keep several leather pieces together, separate them with cloth so metal zips and buckles do not press into neighbouring surfaces. For a piece you use daily, a dust bag is not necessary, but it is worth having if the item sits unused for months.
Your leather care routine, step by step
- Empty and dry-wipe after every use: Remove all contents, shake out debris, and wipe the leather with a dry lint-free cloth before storing. Common mistake: putting a damp item back into the bag, which traps moisture against the lining and leather. Checkpoint: the bag should feel dry to the touch before it goes away.
- Spot-clean with a barely damp cloth: Use water with a drop of mild soap only on visible marks, then wipe clean and dry immediately. Common mistake: scrubbing hard at a stain, which spreads it and roughens the grain. If the mark does not lift with gentle effort, stop and seek a specialist rather than escalating.
- Air dry at room temperature: Leave the bag open in a cool, ventilated spot away from radiators, hairdryers, and direct sun. Common mistake: using heat to speed drying, which stiffens and cracks the leather. Checkpoint: leather should feel supple, not hot or brittle, before conditioning.
- Condition lightly twice a year: Apply a small amount of leather conditioner with a soft cloth, let it absorb, then buff off the excess. Common mistake: over-applying, which leaves a greasy film that collects dust and darkens the finish unevenly. A little goes a long way; one thin coat is enough.
- Store stuffed, upright, and separated: Fill the bag lightly with acid-free tissue or clean cloth, close zips, and keep it in a cool dry cupboard away from other leather or metal hardware. Common mistake: storing it flat or in a plastic bag, which creates permanent creases and traps damp. Rotate and air stored pieces every few months.
Product facts
- Canvas and Leather Wash Bag - Burgundy: Canvas and Leather Wash Bag in Burgundy, made with Spanish leather and tan leather trimmings, measuring L 22cm x W 6.5cm x H 13cm and made in Spain. The compact dimensions suit a carry-on or gym bag, and the canvas body means you should focus cleaning on the leather trims rather than soaking the whole bag.
- Small Purple Leather Wash Bag - D R Harris London: Small Purple Leather Wash Bag crafted from deer leather with a waterproof lining, zip fastening, leather pull-tab, and a small mirror. The waterproof lining is the part that needs the most frequent cleaning, while the deer leather exterior benefits from the wipe-and-condition routine rather than wet cleaning.
- D. R. Harris and Fox Brothers Traveller Dark Green Flannel Washbag - Medium - D R Harris London: D. R. Harris and Fox Brothers Traveller Dark Green Flannel Washbag, Medium, a collaboration using 100% merino lambswool flannel from Fox Brothers, founded 1772. Wool flannel is not leather, so it needs brushing and airing rather than conditioner; keeping it separate from leather pieces in storage prevents fibre transfer and abrasion.
