Care Guide

Leather Care

Care Guide

A well-cared-for leather bag does not just last — it improves. This guide covers how to maintain each leather type we use, so your piece ages the way it was intended to.

Universal Care Principles

Regardless of leather type, these rules apply to every Arvelle Paris piece:

Storage

Always store your bag in its dust bag when not in use. Stuff lightly with tissue paper to maintain the silhouette. Store upright, never on its side or base for extended periods.

Light & Heat

Keep away from direct sunlight, radiators, and artificial heat sources. Prolonged exposure causes fading, drying, and cracking in all leather types without exception.

Moisture

If your bag gets wet, blot immediately with a clean dry cloth — never rub. Allow to dry naturally at room temperature. Do not use a hairdryer or place near a heat source to speed drying.

Colour Transfer

Avoid contact with dark-coloured garments, particularly denim, when carrying light-coloured bags. Dye transfer can be permanent. This applies to all light and neutral leathers.

Perfume & Cosmetics

Keep perfume, hand cream, and cosmetics away from all leather surfaces. Alcohol and oils in these products cause permanent staining and surface damage.

Hardware

Wipe hardware occasionally with a soft dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths or metal polish. Do not allow hardware to remain in contact with water for extended periods.

Calfskin Leathers

Covers: Pebbled Calfskin, Cross-Grain Calfskin, Smooth Calfskin, Soft Grain Calfskin, Veneto Calfskin, Open-Grain Calfskin, Polished Grain Calfskin

Pebbled Calfskin

Lightly textured · Durable · Ages with character

Pebbled calfskin is one of the most forgiving leathers we use. Its textured surface conceals minor scuffs and the natural grain develops a quiet patina over time. It requires minimal maintenance to stay in excellent condition.

Care
  • Wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth, then dry immediately
  • Apply a leather conditioner every 3–6 months
  • Buff gently with a soft dry cloth to restore surface lustre
Avoid
  • Soaking or submerging in water
  • Harsh chemical cleaners or alcohol-based products
  • Abrasive cloths or brushes

Cross-Grain Calfskin

Structured · Scratch-resistant · Holds its line

The geometric grain of cross-grain calfskin makes it particularly resistant to scratches and scuffs. It is a low-maintenance leather that holds its appearance well with minimal intervention.

Care
  • Wipe with a clean damp cloth and allow to air dry
  • Use a colourless leather conditioner twice yearly
  • Polish with a soft cloth to maintain surface brightness
Avoid
  • Coloured leather creams which may alter the tone
  • Excessive moisture or rain exposure
  • Sharp objects against the surface

Smooth Calfskin

Soft · Polished · Shows character over time

Smooth calfskin has an even, refined surface that takes colour with exceptional depth. It is more susceptible to scratches than textured leathers — minor marks can often be buffed out, and the leather develops a beautiful patina with age.

Care
  • Buff minor scratches gently with a clean fingertip or soft cloth
  • Condition monthly with a quality leather cream
  • Use a protective spray before first use and reapply seasonally
Avoid
  • Keys, pens, or sharp objects in direct contact
  • Rain or prolonged moisture without protective treatment
  • Rubbing aggressively on scratches — buff very gently

Soft Grain & Veneto Calfskin

Supple · Water-resistant (Veneto) · Ages softly

Both leathers are supple and develop a natural softness with use. Veneto calfskin has enhanced resistance to water and scuffs, making it the most practical everyday option in our calfskin range.

Care
  • Wipe clean with a dry or slightly damp cloth
  • Condition every 4–6 months to maintain suppleness
  • For Veneto: blot water immediately; no conditioner required as frequently
Avoid
  • Heavy rain for extended periods even on Veneto
  • Folding or compressing the bag for storage
  • Wax-based polishes which can darken the leather

Fine Goatskin

Finer grain than calfskin · Subtle lustre · Lightweight

Fine goatskin has a naturally tight grain and a subtle sheen. It is lightweight and responsive to touch, and maintains its appearance well with straightforward care.

Care
  • Wipe with a soft dry cloth after each use
  • Apply a light leather conditioner every 3 months
  • Store in dust bag away from humidity
Avoid
  • Excessive conditioning which can over-soften the structure
  • Direct contact with rough surfaces
  • Exposing to rain without prior waterproofing treatment

Saddle Leather

Full-grain · Used as canvas trim · Develops deep patina

Saddle leather is used as trim on our canvas pieces. It is full-grain and will develop a rich, warm patina over time — this is a feature, not a flaw. The colour deepens and the surface becomes more supple with use and exposure.

Care
  • Allow the patina to develop naturally — no treatment required initially
  • Apply a conditioning balm if the leather feels dry
  • Wipe with a clean dry cloth to remove surface dust
Avoid
  • Attempting to prevent or reverse the patina process
  • Waterproofing sprays on raw saddle leather
  • Submerging in water

Exotic Leathers

Exotic skins require more deliberate care than calfskin leathers. They do not tolerate neglect or harsh products. Treated correctly, they are extraordinarily durable. Treated incorrectly, damage is often irreversible.

Premium Crocodile & Nile Crocodile

Matte or shiny · CITES-certified · Exceptional durability

Crocodile leather is dense, structured, and resistant to wear. Matte crocodile develops a subtle sheen with age; shiny crocodile requires more careful handling to maintain its lacquered surface.

Care
  • Wipe with a clean, barely damp cloth and air dry naturally
  • Apply a specialist exotic leather conditioner every 3 months
  • For shiny: buff gently with a velvet cloth to maintain the gloss
  • Store flat or stuffed in dust bag — never folded
Avoid
  • Standard leather products — use exotic-specific conditioners only
  • Prolonged exposure to water or rain
  • Sharp objects or abrasive surfaces against the scales
  • Folding or compressing the bag

Alligator

Matte or shiny · CITES-certified · Larger scale pattern

Alligator requires the same specialist care as crocodile. Its scale pattern is larger and the surface more pronounced. Avoid any products not formulated specifically for alligator or crocodile leather.

Care
  • Clean with a specialist exotic leather cleaner only
  • Condition quarterly with an alligator-specific product
  • Store stuffed in dust bag, upright
Avoid
  • All-purpose leather creams or conditioners
  • Scratching between scales with any tool
  • Excessive moisture or dry heat

Lizard

Fine scale · Standard or ombré finish · Delicate surface

Lizard has the finest scale pattern of our exotic range. It is the most delicate of our exotic skins and requires the most careful handling. The ombré finish, where present, should never come into contact with water or cleaning agents beyond a dry cloth.

Care
  • Dust gently with a clean, very soft dry cloth
  • Apply a minimal amount of specialist lizard conditioner if skin feels dry
  • Store flat in dust bag, away from pressure
Avoid
  • Water contact on ombré finish — irreversible damage
  • Any cleaning product not formulated for lizard skin
  • Rubbing or pressing on the scale surface

Ostrich

Quill follicles · Supple · Exceptionally durable

Ostrich is one of the most durable exotic leathers available. The raised quill follicles are its defining feature and should be treated gently. Despite its durability, it benefits from regular conditioning to stay supple.

Care
  • Wipe with a soft damp cloth and air dry naturally
  • Condition every 2–3 months with an ostrich-specific conditioner
  • Brush the follicle area gently if dust accumulates
Avoid
  • Pressing hard on the follicle area
  • Standard leather creams on the follicle surface
  • Extended water exposure without drying

Canvas

Used in: Arvelle Canvas 31, Arvelle Tote 23, Zip Mini 20

Our canvas pieces combine woven canvas panels with saddle leather trim. The canvas body and the leather trim require different approaches and should be treated separately.

Care
  • Canvas: spot-clean with a damp cloth and mild soap; allow to air dry fully
  • Leather trim: condition separately with a leather balm
  • Store stuffed in dust bag to prevent canvas from softening at fold points
Avoid
  • Machine washing or submerging in water
  • Applying leather conditioner to the canvas panels
  • Rubbing wet canvas aggressively

Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty

Every Arvelle Paris piece is covered by our lifetime craftsmanship warranty, which covers repair of stitching, hardware, and zipper failures — with no expiry date. If something fails in the construction of your piece, we repair it.

The warranty does not cover general wear, colour fading from sunlight or use, damage caused by water, chemicals, or improper care, or physical damage caused by impact or sharp objects.

To make a warranty claim, please contact our concierge team with your order number and a description of the issue.

Need Repair or Advice?

For warranty claims, care advice specific to your piece, or questions about a particular leather type, our concierge team is here.

info@arvelleparis.com

Monday – Friday  ·  9:00 AM – 6:00 PM EST