We use vegetable-tanned leather, a natural material that can last a long time with proper care. Vegetable-tanned leather is a material that breathes; it absorbs and lets moisture through. Sun and moisture affect the color and structure of the leather, and for best durability, it is good to clean and treat it regularly. Please read our Leather Care Guide to give your bag a long life:
Protection
Before first use you can protect your bag against moisture and stains. We always recommend you to treat Oily Navy Nubuck with a transparent nubuck spray before use. If you prefer to protect your natural leather, treat it with a spray or conditioner for an even patina. Always test on a small, hidden area first.
Cleaning
Clean your bag with a dry and soft cloth. Remove stains immediately so they don't settle deep into the leather. Do not use strong cleaning products and remember not to rub hard. You can try to gently remove surface stains with a clean, uncolored eraser; there are also special leather erasers available from well-stocked shoemakers. For larger stains, you can use gall soap or mild leather cleaners. Whatever cleaning method you choose, please use a gentle hand, follow the manufacturer's instructions, do not wet the leather too much, and test on a hidden area before treating a visible part.
Moisture
Do not dry a wet leather bag on a hot radiator or in a drying cabinet as the leather may become fragile. Fill the bag with newspaper or soft cloths to the desired shape and let it dry slowly at room temperature. The paper helps absorb the moisture inside; change to new paper if it feels damp. Please place the bag on a flat surface instead of hanging it to maintain its shape.
Leather Treatment
When the leather is clean, it may need some nourishment. There are a variety of products on the market from light-flowing oils to conditioners and harder waxes. Oils often penetrate deeper into the leather and provide more moisture, while waxes settle more on the surface and provide a protective layer against moisture. Sprays generally do not provide any nourishment to the leather but settle as a thin protective layer on its surface. We recommend choosing products with organic content, following the manufacturer's instructions, and testing on a hidden surface before treating a visible part. If you choose oil, be careful not to use too much and wipe off any excess after the treatment.
Everyday care
Leather is a natural material that holds up well over time with regular care. Keep your bag clean and dry to prevent stains and maintain the leather's natural elasticity. Do not overload the bag, as heavy and bulky items can change its shape and cause significant wear on both the leather, metal parts, and seams. Be sure to fully open the zipper to maintain its longevity. Be cautious with sharp objects that can scratch the leather and seams.
Storage
If you are not going to use your bag for a while, it may be worth giving it a little care before storage. Clean and treat the leather and make sure it has time to dry properly before moving on to the next step. Store the shoulder straps inside the bag and fill it with cotton cloths to the desired shape. As leather is sensitive to moisture, remember not to store the bag in a plastic bag. Please use a cotton dustbag or wrap the bag in a dry and clean cotton towel before putting it away in a dry and airy place. Keep in mind that vegetable-tanned leather will change even after treatment and that you can never completely protect the leather from stains. The light natural leather darkens over time, and all leather becomes softer with use. We love this natural process that makes each bag unique and tells a story. Your story.
Vegetable-tanned leather is a chrome-free, natural material with great potential. At Eduards, we cherish the unique qualities of vegetable-tanned leather—how it evolves over time and tells a story. Take a look at Eduards Leather Guide to discover more about this beautiful natural material and how it develops a patina over time.
We use high-quality vegetable-tanned leather. The leather, sourced from European animals, is tanned in Tuscany, a region in Italy with a long tradition of leather tanning. Vegetable tanning is the traditional method where organic materials and natural extracts are used instead of chrome and harmful chemicals. Vegetable-tanned leather is a material that tells a story. Marks and color variations occur naturally and are evidence that we use genuine natural materials in an artisanal production.
Vegetable-tanned leather changes in surface and texture over time. Rain, moisture, and sunlight cause light leather to darken, and everyday friction can give the leather a shinier surface. Small natural color variations that may appear on new bags made of untreated natural leather become less noticeable as the leather darkens. Vegetable-tanned leather is naturally stiff before it is used but softens quickly. A shoulder strap may feel stiff initially, but after a short period, the leather will have softened and conformed to your shoulder.
All Eduards Accessories products are delivered untreated so that you can influence how the leather ages. Untreated natural leather is the base of Eduards Accessories' range, but our products are also available in a palette of other classic colors. Take a look at our Leather Guide to learn more about both dyed and natural leather and how it ages.
Nature is a classic vegetable-tanned, undyed leather with great potential to develop over time. The light natural leather changes and darkens when exposed to light, moisture, and everyday wear. You can influence the development by treating the leather with leather care products for protection and nourishment.
To protect the leather from water stains without altering its natural color, you can use a leather spray that provides a protective surface. If you want to nourish the leather and achieve a more even, darker tone, you can use products such as leather balm, leather fat, or leather oil. There is a wide selection of leather care products available at well-stocked shoemakers. Choose a product that is suitable for the specific type of leather and always test on the underside or another hidden area before treating the entire bag, as the color and texture of the leather may be affected. Be careful not to use too much fat as it can saturate the leather and weaken its natural elasticity. Use a small amount of leather care product, make sure to wipe off any excess, and repeat the treatment as needed.
Remember that vegetable-tanned leather will change even after treatment and that it can never be completely protected against stains. We love this natural process that gives each item a unique character.
Black vegetable-tanned leather is a classic leather dyed during the tanning process. This method produces fully dyed leather with a deep color that does not change like undyed natural leather when exposed to sunlight. When new, the leather is naturally stiff but softens quickly with use.
To care for the leather as needed, use products for leather cleaning, nourishment, and protection. Remember to always test the leather care product on a hidden area before treating the entire bag, as the treatment may affect the color and texture of the leather.
Vegetable-tanned leather is known for aging beautifully and developing a unique patina over time. We love how each product tells its own story and gains character when used.
Cognac is a vegetable-tanned leather that is dyed during the tanning process. This method produces fully dyed leather with a deep color that does not change like undyed natural leather when exposed to sunlight. When new, the leather is naturally stiff but softens quickly with use.
Cognac leather has a glossy surface that provides light protection against light and moisture. Over time, the leather will soften, and the surface will change due to daily friction. To care for the leather as needed, use products for leather cleaning, nourishment, and protection. Remember to always test the leather care product on a hidden area before treating the entire bag, as the treatment may affect the color and texture of the leather.
Vegetable-tanned leather is known for aging beautifully and developing a unique patina over time. We love how each product tells its own story and gains character when used.
Brick is a vegetable-tanned leather in a classic brown-red tone, dyed during the tanning process. This method produces leather with a deep color that does not change like undyed natural leather when exposed to sunlight. When new, the leather is naturally stiff but softens quickly with use.
To care for the leather as needed, use products for leather cleaning, nourishment, and protection. Remember to always test the leather care product on a hidden area before treating the entire bag, as the treatment may affect the color and texture of the leather.
Vegetable-tanned leather is known for aging beautifully and developing a unique patina over time. We love how each product tells its own story and gains character when used.
Green vegetable-tanned leather is a leather in a classic green color, dyed during the tanning process. This method produces leather with a deep color that does not change like undyed natural leather when exposed to sunlight. When new, the leather is naturally stiff but over time, it will soften and the surface will change due to daily friction.
To care for the leather as needed, use products for leather cleaning, nourishment, and protection. Remember to always test the leather care product on a hidden area before treating the entire bag, as the treatment may affect the color and texture of the leather.
Vegetable-tanned leather is known for aging beautifully and developing a unique patina over time.
Red vegetable-tanned leather is a leather in a red shade, dyed during the tanning process. This method produces leather with a deep color that does not change like undyed natural leather when exposed to sunlight. When new, the leather is naturally stiff but softens quickly with use.
To care for the leather as needed, use products for leather cleaning, nourishment, and protection. Remember to always test the leather care product on a hidden area before treating the entire bag, as the treatment may affect the color and texture of the leather.
Vegetable-tanned leather is known for aging beautifully and developing a unique patina over time.
Oily Navy Nubuck is a light gray-blue vegetable-tanned leather that has been sanded after tanning, providing the leather with a velvety surface. Nubuck leather is a delicate natural material that changes over time; the smooth surface becomes shinier with friction and the color changes when the leather is exposed to sunlight and moisture.
Before use, Oily Navy Nubuck should be treated with nubuck spray to protect against moisture. Test on the underside before treating the entire bag, as the treatment may affect the color and texture of the leather. Repeat the treatment regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions for best results.
To care for the leather as needed, use products specifically designed for nubuck leather for cleaning and protection. Be careful not to treat nubuck leather with leather balm, fat, or oil, as greasy products settle on the surface and counteract the smooth texture of nubuck leather.
Patchy is part of the sustainability project The Leather Archive. Patchy is a limited edition, designed in a color combination of Black, Medium Brown, and Cognac leather. All three shades are vegetable-tanned leather with a slightly glossy surface, dyed during the tanning process. The leather has a glossy surface that provides light protection against light and moisture. Over time, the leather will soften and the surface will change due to daily friction.
To care for the leather as needed, use products for leather cleaning, nourishment, and protection. Remember to always test the leather care product on a hidden area before treating the entire bag, as the treatment may affect the color and texture of the leather.
Vegetable-tanned leather is known for aging beautifully and developing a unique patina over time.
