Leather care

Leather care, material care guide

Our full-grain leathers are treated with the utmost care using aniline, an aromatic organic compound whose main quality is to coat the leather and provide suitable protection through a delicate layer. Extremely fine and fully translucent, it allows the pores and natural markings of the hide to remain visible, without altering its look or texture. This finish gives the leather true authenticity and a distinctive character, expressed through a unique patina shaped over time.

As all our leathers have already received a treatment at the tannery that protects them to varying degrees depending on their finish, it is important to seek advice from a specialist cobbler before applying any product (cream, polish, waterproofing spray, etc.) to their surface. That said, most everyday marks can be cleaned easily. Simply rub the leather gently with a soft, light-coloured cloth using a suitable neutral colourless care cream, or failing that, a mild cleansing milk. Before applying the cream, you may also reduce small marks with a simple white eraser.

To avoid damaging your leather, first and foremost keep it away from permanent markers, alcohols and solvents (perfume, certain wines and spirits, nail polish remover, bleach, etc.), as well as prolonged exposure to sun or light, which may alter pale or vivid tones. It is also recommended to protect your pieces from heavy rain, which may soak through and irreversibly distort their shape or surfaces.

Please note that leather is a natural raw material. As the richness of its colour lies in the depth of its dye, the darker your bag, the more advisable it is to pair it with an outfit in similar or dark tones in order to avoid any risk of colour transfer. Conversely, if your bag is in a lighter shade, opt instead for clothing in similar or light tones.

In general, protect your leathers from heat and humidity. If you wish, you may waterproof your bags after consulting a specialist cobbler, who will be able to recommend suitable products for their leather. Please note, however, that this step is not essential, as the quality of leather lies above all in the singularity of its natural wear and the way it evolves over time by your side. These variations in colour and texture will give it the distinctive character so appreciated by connoisseurs.

A few tips

To care for your bag and keep it by your side for as long as possible, we are sharing a few recommendations for each material. You can find our Lancaster Cleansing Polishing Milk as well as our Lancaster Nourishing Balms on our website and in our boutiques.

Our care products

Lancaster Cleansing Polishing Milk

In an aqueous solution, the cleansing polishing milk can be used on all leathers (except suede), regardless of shade. It is used to clean dirt and marks caused by natural ageing (daily wear) on the leather surface. The colour is revived and the leather is better protected.

Lancaster Nourishing Balm

The nourishing balm is a cream for leathers finished with aniline. It comes in a colourless or tinted formula (black, brown, taupe, gold). It is used to nourish and protect the leather, as well as to revive and maintain the colour.

To clean and nourish your bag

To ensure proper absorption and adherence of the Lancaster Nourishing Balm, it is advisable to dust and clean your bag first. Before each step, test the product on an inconspicuous part of the bag (the underside, for example).

  • Dust your bag using a soft cloth.
  • Shake the bottle of Lancaster Cleansing Polishing Milk well and pour a small amount onto a soft, clean cloth, preferably cotton. Then apply to the area to be cleaned, massaging gently. Leave to dry, then wipe lightly.
  • Apply the necessary amount of Lancaster Nourishing Balm to the surface of a soft, clean cloth, then apply to the leather. Massage gently in circular motions to polish the surface. Remove any excess, leave to dry, then wipe lightly.

Full-grain leather

As the noblest part of the hide, all bags made in this leather belong to the premium tier of our collections. Their appearance remains the closest to the animal’s original skin. They are treated with aniline, an aromatic organic compound. Its main quality is to coat the leather and provide suitable protection through a delicate, extremely fine and fully translucent layer. The pores, markings, appearance and texture of the hide are preserved.

Precautions for use:

  • Light and vivid colours are sensitive to light due to the pigments used. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, as it may alter their colour.
  • Avoid prolonged contact with any material likely to release dyes that could transfer onto the leather (other leathers, denim and certain garments), particularly onto light colours.
  • Colours may transfer onto light-coloured clothing.

Care advice:

  • Protect the bag from humidity and light.
  • Care with LANCASTER cleansing milk and nourishing balm to protect the leather and preserve the look of the colours.
  • It is advisable to waterproof the bag.

Lines:

  • Marble Touch
  • Studio Dream
  • Mademoiselle
  • Soft Vintage
  • Marco
  • Capital
  • Atlas
Suede leather

Suede, or split suede, is a type of leather with a softer finish. It is made from the inner side of the hide. It is therefore less resistant than classic leather, but prized for its touch and velvety appearance.

Precautions for use:

  • Not all suede leathers can be guaranteed colourfast. It is recommended not to wear these “natural” leathers with light-coloured clothing, and vice versa.

Care advice:

  • Protect the bag from humidity and rain with a waterproofing spray.
  • Clean suede leather using a suede brush and suitable products.

Lines:

  • Parisienne Garance & Velours
  • Vendôme
  • Smooth Lily & Velours
  • Smart Velours
Embossed leathers: printed or embossed

After being worked, dyed and discreetly treated with aniline, the texture of these leathers is embossed to create raised and recessed effects that echo the skins of the Croco or Python. To give the resulting material even more depth and realism, it is finally hand-painted. The final appearance is a true trompe-l’œil.

Lines:

  • Exotic Croco
Corrected-grain leather

Here, full-grain cowhide leather is corrected by graining. This process involves beating and tumbling the leather in a milling drum to tighten its fibres. It is then coated with a layer of pigmented paint to give it its final appearance. This type of finish gives the leather greater resistance to external aggressions (knocks, rubbing, rain, etc.) and long-lasting colour over time.

Care advice:

  • Care with Lancaster cleansing milk or a leather cream purchased from a cobbler.


Lines:

  • Dune,
  • Pur & Element Foulonné,
  • Gentlemen
Split leather

Split leather, or leather split, is the lower part of the hide. The leather is treated with an extremely resistant coated finish. Indeed, once split, the leather is covered with a polyurethane film, giving it perfect uniformity, a smooth appearance and greater robustness. It may then be embossed to create texture (Saffiano grain).

Precautions for use:

  • Avoid prolonged contact with any material likely to release dyes that could transfer onto the leather (magazines, other leathers, denim and certain garments), particularly onto light colours.

Care advice:

  • Care with LANCASTER cleansing milk, a leather cream purchased from a cobbler, or using a damp sponge.

Lines:

  • Vendôme
  • Smooth
  • Concorde
  • Saffiano
  • Nao
  • Pur & Element
  • Constance
  • Mathias
Aged leather

This type of leather has a particularly glazed texture thanks to a heating and pressing process that gives the leather a smoother appearance. It is used for retro models and reflects a desire to reconnect with the traditional values of the past. Though robust in appearance, aged leather remains a supple full-grain leather and requires regular care.

Precautions for use:

  • Light and vivid colours are sensitive to light due to the pigments used; avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, as it may alter their colour.

Care advice:

  • Clean the leather with LANCASTER cleansing milk using a soft cloth.
  • Nourish the leather with a tinted or colourless nourishing balm.


Lines:

  • Country
Corrected-grain taurillon leather

taurillon leather is a premium leather. Its thick hide gives it strength and suppleness. This leather is corrected by graining. This process involves beating and tumbling the leather in a milling drum to make it more supple without compromising its strength. It is then coated with a layer of pigmented paint to give it its final appearance. This type of finish gives the leather greater resistance to external aggressions (knocks, rubbing, rain, etc.) and long-lasting colour over time.

Care advice:

  • Care with LANCASTER cleansing milk, a leather cream purchased from a cobbler, or using a damp sponge.

Lines:

  • Pur Taurillon
Sheepskin leather

Sheepskin leather is a material with a naturally more textured appearance. Its surface is lightly crinkled and its texture very supple and soft, giving it an especially delicate feel. Its relief is enhanced by a deeply penetrating finish made with entirely natural vegetable oil.

Precautions for use:

  • Like the Soft Vintage line, light and vivid colours are sensitive to light due to the pigments used. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, as it may alter their colour.
  • Avoid prolonged contact with any material likely to release dyes that could transfer onto the leather (other leathers, denim and certain garments), particularly onto light colours.
  • Take care with colours that may bleed onto clothing, and vice versa.

Care advice:

  • Protect the bag from humidity and light.
  • Care with Lancaster cleansing milk/nourishing balm to protect the leather and preserve the look of the colours.
  • It is advisable to waterproof the bag

Lines:

  • Wild
Vegetable-tanned leather

Vegetable-tanned leather is a full-grain leather tanned using natural extracts derived from plants. This ancestral chrome-free tanning process gives the leather a unique patina that develops over time, offering an authentic, living finish. Its tone may evolve with exposure to light, air and touch, making it a noble material, prized for its natural and timeless character.

Lines:

  • Roots
Nylon canvas or microfibre nylon - Lines: Ikon, Maya, Basic, Smart, Evan, Dan

The body of the Smart, Basic, Ikon, Canvas and Bayadère bags is made entirely from synthetic textile. This gives them unrivalled lightness and practicality. Their trims are in cowhide leather. Highly durable, they are perfect for everyday use.

Care advice:

  • Clean the canvas using a sponge soaked in soap and water, then allow it to dry thoroughly.

The LANCASTER guarantee

Lancaster is above all a brand of quality and trust.

We therefore take the greatest care in the design and manufacture of all our products. This is why we guarantee them against any manufacturing defect for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase.

Upon presentation of the guarantee, Lancaster replaces free of charge any parts recognised as defective by its technical services. This guarantee covers all labour costs and return shipping within mainland France.

However, it does not apply in the following cases:

  • normal wear of the product,
  • accidental damage,
  • use of solvents, pens and permanent markers,
  • improper use or lack of care.

If your item is damaged and repair is possible, a quotation will then be offered to you.

In all cases, we recommend contacting the boutique where the product was purchased whenever possible. If you purchased it via the online boutique, please contact the web service at the following address: infoweb@lancaster.fr, enclosing supporting photos with your email.