Leather care

Caring for your Lalage Beaumont handbag

A few simple tips to keep your bag's colour, shape and beauty, season after season.

A Lalage Beaumont bag is made to be carried, loved and enjoyed for many years. Each one is exquisitely made in Italy and Spain from the finest Italian calf leather, and with a little gentle care it will stay beautiful for years to come.

If you are ever unsure, our boutique team in London is always happy to help.

Which leather is mine?

Not sure which you have? The leather is named on your product page and order confirmation, just before the colour, as in Fonteyn Mignon Orinoco - Wine.

The golden rules

These six tips do most of the work, whichever leather you have.

A soft, dry cloth is your best friend

Wipe your bag gently every week or two to lift dust before it settles into the grain.

Hands first, bag second

Let hand cream, perfume and sun cream dry fully before you pick up your bag.

Shade over sunshine

Strong sunlight and radiators can fade colour and dry leather, so keep your bag out of both.

Watch for colour transfer

Dark or brand-new clothing, such as jeans, can rub colour onto paler leathers.

Less is more

Avoid overfilling so your bag keeps its beautiful structure, and keep pens capped and in a pocket.

Never household cleaners

Baby wipes, alcohol and polishes can strip the finish. A soft, dry cloth is all most of our leathers need.

Caring for each leather

Croc print Italian calf leather

Orinoco

Our signature croc print has a smooth finish with a subtle shine that shrugs off everyday life and keeps its rich colour beautifully.

Wipe with a soft, dry cloth only. If it gets wet, blot straight away with a light-coloured, lint-free cloth.
Lift dust from the grooves with a clean, very soft brush.

Avoid

Conditioners, creams, soap and solvents. The finish needs nothing more than a dry cloth.
Rubbing hard, which can dull the subtle shine on the raised scales.

Pebble print Italian calf leather

Dolomite

Our most forgiving leather. The soft pebble grain hides small scuffs, making it a wonderful everyday companion.

Wipe with a soft, dry cloth, and a slightly damp one for marks.
If it ever feels dry, use a very small amount of conditioner made for finished leather, tested on a hidden area first. Most bags rarely need it.
Buff small scuffs with a fingertip; warmth often blends them back into the grain.

Avoid

Coloured creams or polishes, which can sit in the grain and change the shade.

Soft grainy print Italian calf leather

Caribou

Wonderfully supple, with a gentle matte grain that feels as lovely as it looks.

Dust with a soft, dry cloth and keep it out of the rain where you can.
If it ever feels dry, use a neutral conditioner sparingly, always patch-tested first.

Avoid

Leaving water on the surface. If it gets wet, blot rather than wipe.

Lizard print Italian calf leather

Galapagos

Our newest print has a fine lizard texture and a subtle shine, in rich, beautiful colours.

Wipe with a soft, dry cloth only. If it gets wet, blot straight away with a light-coloured, lint-free cloth.
Lift dust from the fine texture with a clean, very soft brush.

Avoid

Conditioners, creams, soap and solvents. The finish needs nothing more than a dry cloth.
Rubbing hard, which can dull the subtle shine.

Bronze and Silver croc print

Metallic Orinoco

Made for celebrating, our metallic finishes need the lightest touch of all.

Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth only.
Store in its dust bag, away from other bags and jewellery.

Avoid

Conditioners, creams, sprays and water, which can cloud a metallic finish.

Calf suede, and every bag's lining

Suede

Suede has a beautiful soft nap, and our bags are lined in contrasting calf suede too.

Brush gently in one direction with a soft suede brush.
Use a suede eraser on small marks, then brush through.
For extra protection, a suede protector spray, tested first.

Avoid

Water, conditioners and creams.
Open lipsticks and pens inside your bag.

Genuine exotic skins

Snakeskin & python

Natural scales that catch the light, and need a very gentle hand.

Wipe softly in the direction of the scales, never against them.
Keep out of humidity and light, wrapped in the dust bag.

Avoid

Water, alcohol-based products and general leather products. For anything more, speak to our boutique team.

Caring for your hardware

Hardware and metal feet stay brightest with a polish from a soft, dry cloth. Keep metal polish away from the leather.

Perfume and the gold plating

Please let perfume dry fully before you carry your bag. Perfume can wear away the gold plating on the hardware, so it's best to keep the two apart.

A gentle touch

Try to keep your hardware away from keys, rings and other metal to avoid scratching. Any light scratches you notice will be in the protective lacquer, not the gold plating beneath.

When little accidents happen

Most everyday marks can be helped at home if you act gently and soon. If in doubt, call us before trying anything more.

If this happens	What to do
Caught in the rain	Blot, don't rub, with a soft, dry cloth. Fill with tissue and let it dry naturally, away from radiators and hairdryers.
Water mark	Once dry, wipe the whole panel with a barely damp cloth so it dries evenly (not on Orinoco, Galapagos or metallics). Suede: brush through once dry.
Spilt drink or food	Blot straight away with a clean, dry cloth, then let it dry naturally.
Oil or hand cream	Blot gently with a dry cloth, never rub, and avoid water, which can spread it. On suede, cover with cornflour, leave for a few hours, then brush away. If a mark remains, call our boutique team.
Ink or make-up	Please don't try to remove it yourself. Call our boutique team for advice.
Small scuff	Buff gently with a fingertip or soft cloth. On Dolomite and Caribou, this often blends it away.
Colour transfer from clothing	Dye transfer can be hard to remove, so please contact our boutique team rather than rubbing at it.

Storing your bag

A few minutes of care keeps your bag looking just as it did the day you first carried it.

Empty it out. Keys and coins can leave impressions over time.
Fill it gently with acid-free tissue paper so it holds its shape. Avoid newspaper, as the ink can transfer.
Unclip the strap so it doesn't press marks into the leather.
Use its dust bag, which is made from brushed cotton and is lovely and breathable. Never a synthetic cover, which traps moisture.
Stand it upright on a shelf, rather than hanging it by the handle.
Give it space, especially metallics and pale shades.
Somewhere cool, dry and dark: a wardrobe shelf is ideal. Leather is happiest at a steady, moderate humidity.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my leather handbag?

A gentle wipe with a soft, dry cloth every week or two is all most bags need. Conditioning is rarely needed: never on Orinoco, Galapagos, metallics, suede or exotic skins, and only occasionally on Dolomite and Caribou if they feel dry.

What should I use to clean a leather bag?

A soft, dry cloth is all most of our leathers need, with a suede brush for suede. Please avoid baby wipes, alcohol and household cleaners, which can strip the finish.

Is croc print leather the same as real crocodile?

No. Orinoco is Italian calf leather with a croc print embossed into it, giving the look of croc with the easy care of calf. Our Galapagos lizard print is made the same way.

Can I use leather conditioner on every bag?

Only on Dolomite and Caribou, and only occasionally: a small amount of conditioner made for finished leather, tested on a hidden area first. Please don't use it on Orinoco, Galapagos, metallics, suede or exotic skins, which keep their finish best with a soft, dry cloth.

My bag got caught in the rain. What should I do?

Blot it with a soft, dry cloth, fill it with tissue paper and let it dry naturally at room temperature. Never use a hairdryer or radiator.

How should I store my handbag?

Empty it, fill it with acid-free tissue, unclip the strap and keep it upright in its breathable brushed cotton dust bag somewhere cool, dry and away from sunlight.

Are pale colours harder to look after?

Not at all, they just need a little more mindfulness. Keep them away from dark or brand-new clothing that may rub off, and let hand creams dry before carrying.

Can you help if my bag needs more than a gentle clean?

We offer a repair service. Please get in touch with our boutique team for more information.

Our boutique team

Whether you have a question about your bag, would like a little advice or are interested in our repair service, our boutique team would love to hear from you.