Leather bag in autumn – What you should consider in rainy weather

Finding the right leather bag for fall is often a difficult decision. Unpredictable downpours during an autumn walk can quickly damage your favorite bag. But don't worry! We'll show you how to ideally prepare your bag for all weather conditions, how to remove existing water stains, and which bags are best suited for rainy weather.

The golden rule: waterproof your leather bag regularly

It's better to be safe than sorry. To prevent water stains from appearing, a good waterproofing of the leather is essential. It's best to waterproof your new favorite leather accessory immediately after purchase and repeat this process regularly after each cleaning. This way, your leather bag will stay beautiful for a long time!

The correct waterproofing treatment depends on the type of leather. There are generally two types:

Absorbent leather:

These include suede and aniline leather, for example. Water can easily penetrate the open-pored leather and darken it. For these large-pored leathers, a leather milk is best suited for waterproofing. You can also use waterproofing sprays specifically designed for suede and smooth leather. However, make sure you're outside or in a well-ventilated room when applying them, as the chemicals in a canned spray could be hazardous to your health. Nano-based sprays are also available specifically for suede.

Non-absorbent leather:

PU leather, smooth leather, and saddle leather have closed pores. This means water can't penetrate the leather as easily and simply beads and beads off. These leathers are therefore perfect for rainy autumn weather. On our website, you can find a variety of smooth leather, buffalo leather, and saddle leather bags for men and women , and you can read more about leather types in our leather glossary . Leather wax made from beeswax is particularly suitable for waterproofing these bags.

Things you should consider when waterproofing:

• Before using any waterproofing agent, you should first test it on an inconspicuous area of the leather.
• Always care for and waterproof your leather bag from seam to seam.
• Waterproofing agents are designed exclusively to protect against moisture. Therefore, sprays that both waterproof and condition do not provide adequate protection.
• Waterproofing doesn't make leather completely water-resistant, so be careful not to expose it to heavy rain.

The correct tanning of the leather bag

In addition to the type of leather, tanning also plays a major role. This is one of the most important steps in leather production. We distinguish between the following tanning processes: mineral tanning, fat tanning, vegetable tanning, and synthetic tanning. To minimize harm to our environment, we primarily use natural tanning processes and avoid toxic chromium compounds. Many of our leather bags have been treated with natural fat tanning. We differentiate between oiled and waxed leather. Oiled leather retains its natural appearance, but this means that the pores remain open. Water can then quickly penetrate the leather and swell. Leather bags made of oiled cowhide therefore absolutely require waterproofing in rainy weather. In contrast, waxed leather is somewhat more opaque and more water-resistant. A wax treatment can close the open pores of the buffalo leather, making it water-repellent. Our CHAZ backpack and CHAD travel bag are wax-treated, making them the perfect companions for autumn. Pigmented leathers, such as our Florian travel bag, are even better suited for rainy weather. These are coated with a lacquer layer, making them robust, uncomplicated, and waterproof and lightproof.

My leather bag got wet - what now?

If your bag gets wet and the first stains are already appearing, you should let it dry slowly at room temperature. It's especially important not to use a hairdryer or a heater. This can, in the worst case, dry out the leather and cause it to warp. To help the leather dry quickly, you can fill it with newspaper. However, you should do this carefully to avoid risking dents or bumps.

Stay away from home remedies

You've probably heard of some home remedies that, according to the internet, can be used for waterproofing or as leather care . Some of these include whole milk, Nivea milk, olive oil, or castor oil. Some of these home remedies may have worked in the past. However, leather was once thicker, and different tanning processes were used. Today's leather is considerably thinner, so these supposed care products are more likely to harm the bag than help it.

In summary, non-absorbent leathers such as saddle leather, smooth leather, and PU leather are the most water-resistant. With proper treatment during production, open-pore leathers such as buffalo leather can become water-repellent. Sensitive leathers such as suede and aniline leather should not be taken outside in the rain. Only waterproofing can make these leathers water-resistant. No matter what type of leather bag you own, waterproofing is a MUST for every type of leather.

I hope we were able to give you some helpful tips for the rainy season!

Your MyBagFactory team