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Our Leather Care Guide
A Beara Beara bag is made to be used, carried and enjoyed for year.
Our bags are handcrafted by our team in La Paz, Bolivia using top-grain leather. As a natural material, leather changes gradually through use and exposure to the world around it. Small variations in grain, texture and colour are part of the character of the hide, while regular use may lead to subtle changes in tone, softness and patina that make each bag increasingly personal.
1. Everyday Care
Most leather care is preventative. Keeping substances that can stain or alter the finish away from the bag is always more advisable than trying to remove them afterwards.
โฃ Avoid prolonged contact with water, oils, make-up, creams, perfume, alcohol-based products such as hand sanitiser, and ink.
โฃ Keep pens capped and cosmetics or liquids inside a separate pouch where possible.
โฃ Be careful when a light-coloured bag rubs repeatedly against dark denim, highly pigmented fabric or another dark material, as colour transfer from the material to the leather can occasionally occur.
โฃ Handle light-coloured leather with clean hands to reduce the gradual build-up of oils and dirt.
Leather dyes and protective finishes can react differently to liquids, oils and chemicals. Once a finish or colour has been altered, the change may be difficult to reverse.
2. If Your Bag Gets Wet
Our leather has been treated to be water-resistant, but it is not waterproof. A little rain is not a problem, simply dry it off to avoid the leather being wet for a prolonged period and do not try to force it to dry quickly.
โฃ Gently blot away excess water with a clean, soft, absorbent, lint-free cloth.
โฃ Do not scrub or rub the wet leather.
โฃ Leave it to dry naturally in a well-ventilated room.
โฃ Keep it away from radiators, hairdryers, heaters, direct sunlight and other direct heat sources.
โฃ Avoid prolonged direct sunlight while it is drying.
โฃ Do not apply dubbin or another treatment until the leather is completely dry.
Direct heat can dry and alter leather, while prolonged light exposure can cause fading or other colour changes.
3. Cleaning Your Leather
For everyday dust and light surface dirt, start with the gentlest method possible.
โฃ Wipe the surface carefully with a clean, soft cloth.
โฃ For a small area of light soiling on smooth leather, the cloth may be very slightly dampened with clean water.
โฃ Never soak the leather.
โฃ Avoid household cleaners, detergents, antibacterial wipes, alcohol, solvents and abrasive products.
โฃ Before using any leather-care product, test a small amount on an inconspicuous area and allow it to dry completely before checking for any change in colour, texture or sheen.
Household chemicals can alter dyes, damage or dull a protective surface finish, or permanently change the appearance of leather. For anything beyond light surface dirt, contact us or a reputable leather specialist rather than experimenting with a home remedy.
4. Caring for Smooth Leather with Dubbin
For suitable smooth Beara Beara leather, we recommend leather dubbin or wax as an occasional treatment. We recommend it for blending superficial scratches, restoring some shine and vibrancy, and improving water resistance when the leather has begun to dry out. Dubbin can be clear or slightly tinted.
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โฃ Make sure the bag is clean and completely dry.
โฃ Test a small amount on an inconspicuous area first. Let it absorb and dry fully, then check for any colour, texture or sheen change before continuing.
โฃ Put a small amount of dubbin onto a clean, soft cloth rather than directly onto the bag.
โฃ Work it gently into the smooth leather using small circular movements. Apply a thin, even layer. More product is not necessarily better.
โฃ Allow the treatment to absorb and dry in line with the instructions supplied with the dubbin. Buff away any remaining excess gently with a clean, dry cloth.
Avoid repeatedly building up layers of wax or conditioner on leather that is already in good condition.
How often to Dub?
Once or twice a year is a useful general guide for a regularly used smooth-leather Beara Beara bag, but the condition of the leather matters more than the calendar. Treat it when it begins to look dry, minor surface scuffs are more visible, or the leather would benefit from a little extra protection. Do not apply it to suede, nubuck or other specialist finishes.
5. Scratches, Scuffs and Stains
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Small surface marks are normal on natural leather. On suitable smooth leather, a small amount of dubbin worked gently over a superficial scratch can help soften its appearance and blend it into the surrounding leather.
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Dubbin cannot rebuild leather that has been cut or gouged. For a deep scratch, tear or other structural damage, contact us before trying to colour, glue or aggressively polish the area.
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Blot liquid spills quickly with a clean absorbent cloth rather than rubbing them into the leather. For oil, grease, ink, make-up or another substantial stain, remove any excess without spreading it and seek specialist advice. Avoid household stain removers, alcohol and improvised cleaning mixtures.
6. Sunlight, Heat and Humidity
Avoid prolonged direct sunlight and concentrated heat. Both can alter the colour and condition of leather over time.
โฃ Do not store the bag beside a radiator, heater, furnace pipe or another concentrated heat source.
โฃ Avoid leaving it for long periods in direct sunlight or a hot car.
โฃ Store it somewhere cool, dry and reasonably well ventilated.
โฃ Avoid consistently damp or humid storage. Relative humidity above roughly 65% can encourage mold growth on leather.
โฃ Best to keep the bag in a well ventilated area and avoid keeping it locked in a wardrobe or cupboard where there is limited ventilation.
7. Hardware and Lining
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Beara Beara currently uses zinc-alloy hardware with a protective varnish. Wipe fingerprints, moisture or surface dirt away with a clean, soft, dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners and metal polishes, which may damage the protective finish. Do not force a stiff clasp, buckle or zip; if hardware becomes loose or damaged, stop placing strain on it and contact us.
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Depending on the design, Beara Beara uses soft micro-velour or custom Bolivian cotton check lining. Keep pens capped, place make-up and liquids in separate pouches where possible, and do not put damp items into the bag. Blot spills rather than scrubbing them deeper into the lining, and avoid saturating the lining with water or household cleaner.
8. Waterproofing Sprays
A suitable protector can improve the water resistance of appropriate leather, but it does not turn a leather bag into a completely waterproof bag and will change the finish of the leather.
โฃ Choose a protector that is explicitly suitable for the material and finish.
โฃ Follow the product manufacturer's instructions.
โฃ Test it first on a small, inconspicuous area and allow it to dry before treating the whole bag.
โฃ Be aware that a protector may alter the colour, texture or sheen of the leather.
For routine care of suitable smooth Beara Beara leather, occasional dubbin remains our brand's established recommendation.
9. Mould
Mould is much easier to prevent than to remove. Never store a bag while it is damp, and avoid persistently humid storage conditions.
โฃ If you notice significant mould growth, separate the bag from other leather goods.
โฃ Clean it with a clean damp cloth.
โฃ Move it to a drier, well-ventilated environment.
โฃ Do not use aggressive household mould treatments or improvised chemicals.
10. Repairs and Restoration
Beara Beara designs its bags with repairability and longevity in mind. The current Beara Beara FAQ and Terms & Conditions state that stitching and hardware repairs are offered free of charge for up to one year following purchase. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer. After the first year, repairs may still be possible for a small fee depending on the work required.
Our London store can provide maintenance such as re-staining, trimming loose threads and applying fresh wax. If you are unsure how to treat a mark, stain, scratch or damaged component, you are welcome to contact us to ask for advice before attempting a major repair yourself.
A Bag Made to Change
With You
A leather bag does not need to remain exactly as it looked on the day it left our workshop. Small marks, softening and gradual tonal changes are part of the character of leather. With sensible everyday care, occasional maintenance and repair when necessary, a Beara Beara bag can continue travelling with you for years - collecting character rather than simply showing age.