Care for your painted bag
Every Leathura bag is a unique piece of wearable art, personally hand-painted by our founder and artisan Satish Khorwal on genuine leather. Each piece begins with sourced premium leather, carefully prepared and painted by hand using specialized leather acrylic pigments, and finished with a protective sealant coat designed for flexibility and daily resilience.
Because your bag combines natural leather with fine hand-painted brushwork, simple, thoughtful care will protect the artwork and keep the leather soft and supple for years to come.
Everyday Care & Light Cleaning
- Routine dusting: After carrying your bag, gently wipe down the leather and painted surfaces with a clean, dry, lint-free microfiber cloth to remove dust and surface oils.
- Light surface marks: If needed, lightly dampen a soft microfiber cloth with cool water, wring it out thoroughly so it is only slightly damp, and wipe very gently. Never scrub or rub vigorously over painted motifs.
- Solvents to avoid: Never use alcohol, hand sanitizer, acetone, solvent-based leather cleaners, disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, or abrasive sponges on your bag. Harsh chemicals and alcohol dissolve protective topcoats and can strip the painted artwork.
Water Splashes & Rain Guidance
- Light splash resistance: The sealed artwork and leather finish are designed to withstand incidental moisture and light water splashes during everyday use. However, genuine leather should never be soaked or submerged.
- If your bag gets wet: Immediately blot the moisture gently with a clean, dry microfiber cloth or soft cotton towel. Do not wipe hard across the painting while damp.
- Air dry naturally: Allow the bag to dry completely at room temperature in a well-ventilated space. Never use a hairdryer, radiator, heating vent, or direct sunlight to accelerate drying, as extreme heat can harden leather and cause cracks.
Conditioning the Leather
- Nourish periodically: To prevent natural leather from drying out over time, apply a high-quality, clear, wax-free leather conditioner once or twice a year.
- Precaution on painted panels: Focus your conditioner primarily on the unpainted leather panels, handles, shoulder straps, base, and sides. Keep conditioning over painted motifs very light and minimal, buffing softly with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Always spot test: Before applying any leather cream or conditioner, test a small pea-sized amount on an inconspicuous area (such as the underside of the strap or the base) to ensure it does not alter the leather’s tone.
Storage & Structure
- Use a breathable dust bag: When your bag is resting between outings, store it upright in a breathable cotton or flannel dust bag to protect against dust and friction.
- Never use plastic: Avoid storing leather goods in sealed plastic bags or airtight containers. Leather is a natural material that needs air circulation; trapped moisture can cause humidity damage or mildew.
- Maintain the silhouette: Loosely fill the bag with clean, acid-free white tissue paper, bubble wrap, or cotton stuffing to help it retain its graceful shape. Avoid over-stuffing, which can stretch the leather seams.
- Keep away from direct sunlight & heat: Store in a cool, dark, dry wardrobe away from direct sun exposure, radiators, and damp exterior walls. UV light can cause painted pigments to fade over prolonged exposure.
- Rest on its base: Store your bag sitting on its base rather than hanging continuously by its strap, which preserves the shape of the strap anchors and handles.
Bag Interior & Hardware
- Sling canvas interior: Our slings feature a black canvas lining. Keep the interior clean by gently shaking out dust or using a lint roller. For accidental spills on the lining, spot clean with a soft cloth dampened with mild soapy water and let dry completely before closing.
- Satchel & backpack leather interior: Our satchels and backpacks feature a full genuine leather interior with no canvas lining. Keep the unlined leather clean by gently wiping with a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth or soft-bristle brush. Avoid liquid spills and keep uncapped cosmetics or pens in a separate pouch.
- Metal hardware: Wipe zippers, buckles, and rings with a dry microfiber cloth to keep them clean and bright. Avoid abrasive metal polishes that could contact the painted leather.
A Word on Denim & Friction
As with all fine natural leather goods, exercise caution when carrying lighter-toned bags against raw, unwashed indigo denim or dark, non-colourfast clothing, as external dye transfer can mark leather and painted surfaces.
Studio Support
If you have any questions about caring for a specific painting, need advice on bag selection, or wish to confirm details, our Jaipur studio is always delighted to help. Reach out to us at hello@leathura.com or visit our contact page.
Explore our complete hand-painted collection: Slings & Crossbodies · Satchels · Backpacks · All Bags.