Louis Vuitton Monogram handbags often come with a beige leather handle, strap, and trim, called “Vachetta leather”. Over the years of use, this leather will turn into light brown color. This is the natural patina discoloration process, as Louis Vuitton vachetta skin will change color when exposed to oil on hands, water as well as sunlight.
However, Louis Vuitton handbag owners will realize that this vachetta leather does not change color evenly! Since we often hold the handle of the bag, this handle is usually darker than other leather patches.
How to preserve Louis Vuitton bags so that the vachetta leather is evenly discolored, not stained or dark in color? We offers you the following tips:
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Step 1: Sun exposure
If you’ve just bought a brand-new Louis Vuitton Monogram bag, don’t use it yet! Yes, we understand the feeling nervous about wanting to use this new bag immediately. But not using it right away to prepare the vachetta leather for the discoloration process will help create an even color for your bag.
The first step is to place your Louis Vuitton bag on the window sill. Cover the entire surface of the canvas with monogram prints. Leave only patches of vachetta skin. Open the windows to let the sunshine directly on the leather.
Allow your bag to be in the sun for at least 12 hours on each side. There are 6 sides in all: Front, back, sides, the bottom of the bag, and strap (if any). It will take you about a week for this step to be done.
We sure you must be confused, right. But don’t you worry, this step brings lots of benefits than you expected!
The ultraviolet rays in the sun will help dry and tan the bag’s skin just like it does on the human skin. Because vachetta skin is treated to retain a high level of oil, it feels greasy and slippery. It is this factor that causes the vachetta skin to discolor unevenly. The sun-drying step is effective in slowing down the discoloration stage of vachetta skin. This way, the part of the skin that is in much contact with your hand will not discolor too quickly compared to the rest of the skin.
Step 2: Use baby wet tissues
After you’ve fully sun-dried your new Louis Vuitton handbag, use a baby wet tissue to wipe through the leather.
NOTE: Use only wet, non-alcoholic, fragrance-free, bleach-free paper towels. If you use alcohol tissue, you will permanently damage your bag.
Carefully wipe all vachetta skin. Be careful not to touch the surface of the canvas with prints or other zipper and metal hardware. Also, do not let the water of the wet paper towel soak on other surfaces.
After wiping, you will notice that the vachetta skin is a bit darker. Do not worry. Skin color will light up once dry. Let your bag dry completely. Don’t use a hairdryer to dry it quickly. Then repeat this step one more time.
Step 3: Start using Louis Vuitton bags
When using a handbag, make sure the vachetta leather strap does not contact with the dry hand sanitizer, hand lotion, or perfume.
If you use your Louis Vuitton bag every day, when you get home, use a wet, non-alcoholic paper to clean the handles. This Louis Vuitton bag preservation step prevents unbalanced discoloration as well as stains from water. Then wipe with a 3M microfiber cloth.
After a while of use, you will find that the vachetta leather on your Louis Vuitton bag will not turn dark brown, but only a honey-yellow sheen and the discoloration is even. You can also apply this preservative formula to other vachetta leather bags.
If you’re the one who has already used them for a while but steps one and two no longer work. But you can still use step three to even out the hue of the straps.
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