How to Take Care of Patent Leather

Patent leather is a great way to dress up any outfit. From its lovely glossy shine, to its smooth texture, it can make a great statement piece. However, patent leather can seem to get dirty quickly. Thankfully it is also easy to clean!

So how do you clean it and maintain it? Turns out it is actually easy to clean most things out of patent. Here are a few simple solutions to get your bag back to its like new condition!

Dust/ Debris 

Just by using a bit of water and soap can actually make a huge difference. Either with a damp cloth or a soft bristle brush, gently scrub the surface to help remove any dirt or debris. Once you have finished cleaning the surface make sure to dry it off with a dry cloth. It is also always best to let the bag sit after cleaning for at least 24 hours to full air dry. Once this is done go ahead and apply a moisturizer for patent leather to help maintain the leather condition. 

Scuffs

Got any surface scuffs occurring? A great easy fix is to use olive oil. With a dry cloth apply a small amount of oil and dab it on to the scuffs. Let the oil sit for around 20 minutes before wiping off. 

You can also try petroleum jelly for small scuffs. Again apply a small amount onto a dry cloth and dab it on to the bag. Leave the jelly for around 15 minutes, and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. 

Another solution is to purchase a patent leather cleaner. These can be easy to find and can be purchased online as well.  

Stain

Patent bags are actually quite resilient when it comes to stains due to their coating. However, they are more susceptible to color transfer. If you have any Louis Vuitton Vernis leather bags or accessories always make sure to store them in their dustbag. These materials can transfer color very easily. For example if you store two Louis Vuitton Vernis wallets on top of one another (one in a light color and the other is a darker color) you will for sure see some color transfer occurring. These stains can be extremely difficult to remove. The same goes for pen ink. The solution, though spot testing is very important, is rubbing alcohol. Dab a little rubbing alcohol onto a dry cloth and in a circular motion gently apply it to the stained area. Be very cautious though when using this method to avoid color take off.  Another solution is to purchase a stain remover liquid and attempt that. 

For other stains using the soap and water method can be a great fix!