Leather care routine: seasonal checklist for camera bags
Every season has its beautiful sides and its very special characteristics and, with the changing climatic conditions, places different demands on leather products such as shoes or camera bags. However, while many people take a much closer look at shoe care - nobody likes to have wet feet on a snowy day - leather care for camera bags is usually rather sparse. However, as a natural material, leather also needs regular care to ensure that it remains resistant, flexible and beautiful, just like human skin. For all those who want to look after their favorite bag as well as possible and all year round, we have put together a small checklist for the leather care of camera bags in this article.
Regular care is the best way to ensure that leather retains its natural radiance. A high-quality bag made from vegetable-tanned full-grain leather will develop an elegant patina over time if it is cared for properly and will therefore remain a companion for life.
Well cared for all year round
Regardless of the season or the weather outside, you should get into the habit of caring for your camera bag on a monthly basis. This definitely includes checking the bag for dust or stains. You should also keep an eye out for dry or cracked areas so that you can treat them in good time to prevent major damage. It is also particularly important to check for moisture, especially inside the camera bag. This can be caused, for example, by insufficient drying of the bag after use in damp conditions, but also by condensation, for example in the cold season or particularly humid months.
Combining this monthly visual inspection with a short care routine makes it easy: a finely dosed care spray, which dissolves dirt, moisturizes the surface and at the same time protects against moisture, keeps the bag resistant for longer and prevents small problem areas from developing in the first place. This turns a quick check into an uncomplicated all-round update for the leather - inside and out.
Leather care products and cleaning steps
When caring for leather camera bags, it is best to proceed in the same way as you would with other leather products such as shoes or leather jackets. This depends primarily on the type of leather: if it is smooth leather, for example, care is particularly easy and leather grease and leather balm or leather milk are sufficient to maintain the bag. Leather grease has a particularly intensive effect and preserves the material's natural ability to repel water. Both products seal the surface and keep it supple.
However, if the bag is made of suede leather such as nubuck or suede, you should not use any grease at all when caring for it. Instead, we recommend using special suede sprays for waterproofing and a conditioner to ensure that the structure of the leather remains intact. While sponges or cloths can be used for smooth leather, the use of a crepe or rubber brush is highly recommended for suede leather.
If you also use bags with specially hydrophobized leather, such as models that have a pronounced "lotus effect", you should use a care product that preserves this water-repellent protective film instead of overlaying it. A suitable liquid care product gently cleans, prevents moisture loss and seals the surface without making it sticky - perfect for anyone who doesn't want to do without their weatherproof bag in rainy weather.
When it comes to actual cleaning, you should first prepare the bag well for care by emptying it completely and opening all compartments. The interior can then be cleaned, carefully removing small crumbs, sand and dust. A handheld vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment can be helpful for this, as it can be used to remove dust and dirt from the upholstery.
You can then start dry cleaning the outer leather of the bag. Smooth leather should be rubbed with a soft cotton cloth before being thoroughly cleaned with another cloth moistened sparingly with a mild leather cleaner. Residues can then be removed with a clean, damp cloth.
With suede, however, it is advisable to remove dirt and dust with a special brush. If there are localized grease stains, these can be treated with a curd soap solution, for example, while a special leather eraser can be used for other stains.
Ready for any weather: leather care in the cold season
When it starts to get cold and dark outside, you are less likely to pick up your camera and the camera bag is therefore used less often and exposed to fewer challenges from external factors. Nevertheless, it generally makes sense to look at the bag once a month or so to check it for dust, stains, moisture and mold. When used in the winter months, camera bags are particularly often exposed to excessive moisture, so the issue of waterproofing plays a major role.
As with leather footwear, it is best to apply a high-quality waterproofing spray before the first contact with moisture, although this should always be suitable for the type of leather in question. It is also important that all cleaning steps are carried out correctly beforehand so that the spray does not fix any dirt to the bag. Even after every wet cleaning or if the bag becomes really soaked during a photo adventure, a new layer of waterproofing agent should be applied when dry to ensure an effectively water-repellent surface. Particular attention should also be paid to the seams, as moisture often penetrates the bag at these sensitive points. After application, the camera bag should be well aired.
Salt and drying
What is a constant problem with winter shoes can also happen to your favorite camera bag under certain circumstances: The removal of salt stains. Winter road salt on the ground can cause unsightly salt stains to form on the leather. These not only look ugly, but are also a real problem in terms of the bag's robustness, as salt dries out the leather and makes it more susceptible to cracking. For this reason, you should carefully dab the leather with a cloth soaked in cold water and mild vinegar immediately after possible contact with salt, but without exerting any pressure on the affected material.
After such "rescue operations", the material has often suffered visibly: salt, moisture and cold remove grease and color depth from the leather. This is where regenerating care can help, refreshing the color effect, impregnating the surface and visually removing small scratches or dull spots. This turns a damaged winter bag back into a harmonious, supple companion for the next season.
Another important topic in autumn and winter is the correct drying of the leather after it gets wet, which is essential for good mold prevention. To do this, it is best to empty the bag immediately and stuff it with newspaper or tissue paper. It is important not to use too much paper so that the bag retains its shape but does not bulge. It can then be left to dry slowly at room temperature. This process takes time and you should never try to speed up the drying process by exposing leather to hot heating air or direct sunlight, which would make it dry and brittle.
Another focus can be the care of the edge color. Every few months, you should check whether the edge color or sealing of the leather edges is still intact. Cracks or abrasion in this area can cause moisture to penetrate into deeper layers of the leather and completely destroy the positive effect of the impregnation. To ensure that the edges are adequately protected against moisture penetration, they can be repaired with a special edge pen.
Dirt and UV radiation: leather care in summer
When the weather outside is friendlier again, many photographers pick up their camera again and the camera bag is used more often than in the cold season and when it is wet. You might also take it with you on vacation and in outdoor conditions the bag is more exposed to dirt and strong sunlight. During this time, you should therefore pay particular attention to cleaning it regularly. Sand in particular, which can get inside, quickly becomes a problem for the leather, but above all for the valuable equipment being transported inside. The same cleaning rules apply as in winter.
The increased sunlight during the winter months also poses a particular challenge for the natural material leather. Regular care and good re-greasing are generally required here, but it is also important to ensure that the bag is not unnecessarily exposed to direct sunlight when it is in use. Of course, this is particularly important when storing the camera bag.
Stowing camera bags well
If a camera bag is not used for a longer period of time, it should be stored properly. For gentle storage, it is advisable to fill the bag loosely with newspaper, tissue paper or clean cloths. This will keep it in good shape. However, it is particularly important that the bag does not come into contact with direct sunlight during storage. A dry, cool room with a constant temperature is ideal for storage. Special fabric bags for storing leather bags are breathable and keep dust out without the risk of trapping moisture in with the camera like plastic.
Conclusion
If you want to enjoy your favorite leather bag for a long time, you should definitely take its care and maintenance seriously. Keeping an eye on the condition of your bag every month or so can help you to react quickly to potential problems during use and storage and maintain the good condition of your favorite piece. Regular care is just as important as an approach that is adapted to the seasons and weather conditions. This not only provides the best possible protection for valuable equipment, but also preserves the unique character and beauty of a good leather bag.
