Recommendations for care and cleaning
Proper care is crucial to ensure that your DRAKENSBERG bag retains its natural beauty and durability even after many adventures. On this page you will find practical tips for cleaning and caring for your leather bags and cotton models so that they not only look good, but also accompany you reliably in all weathers. Discover how to protect and care for your bag in the best possible way so that you can enjoy it for a long time!
Basics
Our DRAKENSBERG bags are designed to be ready for use and only rarely require additional care or thorough cleaning. Our leather bags are already treated with high-quality oils and waxes that protect the leather from drying out for many years. With our waxed Heritage line, we also offer bags that are naturally water-repellent.
If your bag does need care at some point, you can find all the important tips here. Basically, we differentiate between three areas:
IMPREGNATION
CLEANING
CARE
Impregnation
Impregnation with impregnation spray:
Impregnation protects your bag from moisture and dirt without affecting its appearance - so it stays weatherproof and elegant.
For example, use the colorless waterproofing spray from IMPRÄGNOL , which forms an invisible protective layer and protects both leather and cotton.
It is best to use the spray outdoors in a place protected from the wind. Spray it evenly onto the clean, dry bag from a distance of about 30 cm.
Be careful not to soak the material and let it dry thoroughly. You can protect stressed areas such as edges with a second layer. The bags in the Heritage collection made of waxed canvas do not need to be additionally impregnated.
Impregnation with wax:
Colorless waterproofing wax not only offers your cotton bags first-class rain protection, but also makes them particularly durable and extends their lifespan.
We recommend Dr. Gee's waterproofing wax . It protects and cares for the material and is completely natural.
1. Rub the wax evenly onto the fabric.
2. Then melt the wax with a hairdryer. This process is important because otherwise the wax will not be able to absorb into the cotton. Repeat this process for additional protection, but make sure to treat less exposed areas more sparingly to maintain breathability.
The bags in the Heritage collection are already waxed. If necessary, the wax can be distributed and evened out more evenly using heat. You only need to re-wax the bags after at least 5 years, if at all.
Cleaning
Cleaning cotton fabrics:
1. Coarse dirt particles:
Use a soft shoe brush to brush the fabric thoroughly. Then tap out the dust or carefully vacuum it.
2. Fine dirt particles:
The best way to remove lint and hair is with a lint roller. Important: Do not use the sticky lint roller on leather surfaces to avoid damaging the patina!
3. Remove stains:
First, try gently rubbing out stains on the canvas using carbonated water and a clean cloth. If that doesn't work, mix a mild solution of hand soap and gently rub the stain out again. Avoid harsh cleaning agents as they can dissolve the color pigments from the fabric.
Our canvas and leather travel bags must not be washed in the washing machine.
Cleaning leather:
1. Coarse dirt particles:
Use a soft shoe brush to brush the leather thoroughly. Then knock out the dust or carefully vacuum it up. Be careful not to leave any scratches on the leather.
2. Fine dirt particles:
The best way to remove lint and hair is with a lint brush. Important: Do not use a sticky lint roller on leather surfaces to avoid damaging the patina!
3. Remove stains:
To remove stains from leather, you should first use a clean, slightly damp cloth and carefully wipe the stain away. Be careful not to wet the leather too much. For more stubborn stains, you can make a mild solution of hand soap and lukewarm water. There are also special leather cleaners, such as KERALUX Gentle Cleaner .
Apply the solution with a soft cloth and rub gently over the stain.
Avoid using harsh cleaning products as these can dry out the leather or damage the colour. After cleaning, it is recommended to treat the leather with a leather care balm to keep it supple.
Other care
Leather care
Regular care is important to ensure that your leather bag stays supple and beautiful for a long time. Leather is a natural material that can dry out over time if not treated properly. For basic care, it is sufficient to wipe the bag regularly with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and light dirt. Please also avoid extreme cold and direct sunlight when storing.
Re-greasing only makes sense when you notice that the leather is becoming brittle or dry, or when it loses its natural suppleness. Depending on use and environmental influences, this can happen after a few years. Use special leather care products or leather grease that is rich in natural oils. We recommend Dr. Gee's Leather Balm . Apply a small amount evenly with a soft cloth, let it soak in and then polish with a clean cloth.
Treating your bag with leather balm also makes it less sensitive to moisture. However, we recommend using a colorless waterproofing spray for waterproofing, as leather balm usually causes the bag to lose its natural color.
Remember never to over-care for your leather bag, as re-greasing too often can make the material too soft and affect its shape. Every two years is usually enough to keep the leather in top condition.