Leather care, material care guide
Our full grain leathers are treated with the utmost care with aniline, an aromatic organic compound whose main quality is to cover the leather and ensure adequate protection thanks to a delicate layer. Very thin and totally translucent, it allows the pores and marks of the skin to show through, leaving its appearance and texture undamaged. This finish gives the leather a real authenticity and a strong singularity that is reflected in a unique patina forged over time.
All our leathers have already received a treatment at the tannery which protects them to a greater or lesser extent depending on their finish. It is therefore important to consult a shoemaker before applying any product (cream, shoe polish, waterproofing agent, etc.) to their surface. However, most everyday stains can be easily cleaned. Simply rub the leather gently with a soft, light cloth using a colorless, neutral care cream or, failing that, a mild make-up remover. You can also, before applying the cream, soften the small stains with a simple white eraser.
To avoid damaging your leather, avoid using indelible markers, alcohol and solvents (perfume, certain wines and alcohols, solvents, bleach, etc.) as well as prolonged exposure to the sun or light, which could alter the light or bright colors. It is also recommended to protect your products from driving rain, which could by soaking deform irremediably the shape or the surfaces.
Remember that leather is a natural raw material. The charisma of its color lies in the depth of its dyeing, the darker your bag, the better it is to accompany it with an outfit of similar or darker colors to avoid any risk of transfer. On the other hand, if the color of your bag is rather light, prefer clothes in the same shades or light.
In general, protect your leather from heat and humidity. If you wish, you can waterproof your bags by asking the advice of a specialist shoemaker who will be able to guide you towards good products adapted to their leather. But note that this step is not essential because the quality of leather lies above all in the particularity of its natural wear and its evolution, by your side, with time. These variations in color and texture will give it a cachet most appreciated by connoisseurs.
Some advice
To take care of your bag and keep it by your side for as long as possible, we offer you some advice for each material. You can find our Lancaster Waxing Cleansing Milk and our Lancaster Nourishing Balms on our website and in our boutiques.
Lancaster Waxing Cleansing Milk
In aqueous solution, the waxing cleansing milk can be used on all leathers (except velvet), all shades included. It is used to clean dirt and stains due to natural aging (daily wear and tear) on the leather surface. The color is then revived and the leather is better protected.
Lancaster Nourishing Balm
Nourishing Balm is a cream for leathers that have been finished with aniline. It is available in colorless or tinted solution (black, brown, taupe, gold). It is used to nourish and protect the leather as well as to revive and maintain the color.
To clean and nourish your bag
In order to guarantee a good impregnation and adherence of Lancaster Nourishing Balm, it is recommended to dust and clean your bag beforehand. Before each step, test the product on a discreet part of the bag (underneath for example).
- Dust your bag with a soft cloth.
- Shake the bottle of Lancaster Waxing Milk well and pour a dose onto a soft, clean cloth, preferably cotton (1a). Then, apply to the area to be cleaned by gently massaging (2a). Let dry and then wipe lightly.
- Apply the necessary amount of Lancaster Nourishing Balm to the surface of a soft, clean cloth (1b) and then apply to the leather. Gently massage in a circular motion to buff the surface (2b). Remove any excess, allow to dry and then wipe lightly.
Being the noblest part of the skin, all the bags made with this leather are part of the top of the range of our collections. Indeed, their appearance is the closest to the original skin of the animal. They are treated with aniline, an aromatic organic compound. Its main quality is to cover the leather and ensure adequate protection thanks to a delicate, very thin and totally translucent layer. The pores, marks, appearance and texture of the skin are preserved.
Precaution of use:
- Light and bright colors are sensitive to light due to the pigments used. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight which could alter the color.
- Avoid prolonged contact with any material that may release dyes that could migrate to the leather (other leathers, jeans and some garments), especially to light colors.
- Colors can bleed onto light-colored clothing.
Care tips:
- Protect the bag from moisture and light.
- Care with LANCASTER cleaning milk and nourishing balm to protect the leather and the appearance of the colors.
- It is recommended to waterproof the bag.
Suede is a type of leather with a softer finish. It is obtained from the inner side of the leather. It is therefore less resistant than classic leather, but it is appreciated for its touch and its velvety aspect.
Precaution of use:
- Not all velvet leathers can be guaranteed to be full color. It is recommended not to wear these "natural" leathers with light colored clothes and vice versa.
Care instructions :
- Protect the bag from moisture and rain with a waterproofing agent.
- Clean suede leather with a suede brush and suitable products.
After being worked, dyed and treated with aniline, the texture of these leathers is embossed to obtain full and hollows which retranscribe the skins of the Croco or Python skins. To give even more relief and realism to the material obtained, it is finally painted by hand. The final aspect is a real trompe l'oeil.
Full grain cowhide is corrected by graining. This process consists of beating and crumpling the leather in a fuller to tighten the fibers. It is then covered with a layer of pigmented paint to give it its final appearance. This type of finishing ensures that the leather is more resistant to external aggressions (knocks, rubbing, rain...) and that the colors last over time.
Maintenance advice :
- Care with Lancaster cleansing milk or a leather cream found in a shoe shop.
Leather slitting - Lines : Vendôme, SmoothConcorde, Saffiano, Nao, Pur & Element, Constance, Mathias
The leather split, or leather crust, is the lower part of the hide. The leather is treated with an extremely resistant covering finish. Indeed, the leather, after being split, is covered with a polyurethane film, ensuring a perfect uniformity, a smooth aspect and a greater robustness. It can then be embossed to give it relief (Saffiano grain).
Precaution of use:
- Avoid prolonged contact with any material that may release dyes that could migrate to the leather (magazine, other leathers, jeans and some garments), especially to light colors.
Care instructions:
- Care with LANCASTER cleansing milk, a leather cream found at a shoe repair shop or with a damp sponge.
This type of leather has a particularly glazed texture thanks to a heating and plating process that gives the leather a smoother appearance. It is used on retro models, and is part of a desire to rediscover the traditional values of the past. With its robust appearance, aged leather remains a supple full grain leather and requires regular maintenance.
Precaution of use:
- Light and bright colors are sensitive to light because of the pigments used, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight which could alter the color.
Care instructions:
- Clean the leather with LANCASTER cleaning milk using a soft cloth.
- Nourish the leather with a dyed or colorless nourishing balm.
Bull leather is a top-of-the-line leather. Its thick skin makes it resistant and supple. This leather is corrected by graining. This process consists in beating and crumpling the leather in a fuller to give it more suppleness without altering its resistance. It is then covered with a layer of pigmented paint to give it its final appearance. This type of finishing ensures that the leather is more resistant to external aggressions (knocks, rubbing, rain...) and that the colors last over time.
Maintenance advice :
- Maintenance with LANCASTER cleaning milk, a leather cream found in shoe shops or with a damp sponge.
Sheep leather is a naturally grainy material. Its surface is crisp and its texture is very supple and soft, which ensures a particularly delicate touch. Its relief is emphasized by a deep finish with all-natural vegetable oil.
Precaution of use:
- Just like the line Soft Vintageline, light and bright colors are sensitive to light because of the pigments used. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight which could alter the color.
- Avoid prolonged contact with any material that may release dyes that could migrate to the leather (other leathers, jeans and some garments), especially to light colors.
- Beware of colors that bleed onto clothing and vice versa.
Care instructions:
- Protect the bag from moisture and light.
- Care with Lancaster cleansing milk/nourishing balm to protect the leather and the appearance of the colors.
- It is recommended to waterproof the bag
The body of the bags SmartBasic, Ikon, Canvas and Bayadère is entirely made of synthetic textile. This is what ensures them a lightness and an unequalled practicality. Their trimmings are made of cowhide leather. Very resistant, they are perfect for a daily use.
Advice of maintenance:
- Clean the canvas with a sponge soaked in water and soap, let dry well.
The LANCASTER guarantee
Lancaster is above all a brand of quality and trust.
We take great care in the design and manufacture of all our products. That is why we guarantee them against any manufacturing defect for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase.
Upon presentation of the warranty, Lancaster will replace, free of charge, the parts recognized as defective by its technical services. This warranty covers all labor costs and return shipping within France.
However, it is excluded in the following cases:
- Normal wear and tear of the product,
- accidental damage,
- use of solvents, pens and permanent markers,
- abnormal use or lack of maintenance.
If your item is damaged and a repair is possible, you will be offered a quote.
In all cases, we invite you to contact the store where the product was purchased. If you purchased it via the online store, please contact the web service at the following address infoweb@lancaster.fr and send us an email with supporting photos.
