A Good Bag Is Hard to Find and Prevent from Ruining All Your Other Stuff
March 3, 2011 9:32 PM
I've got a new red leather handbag. Please help me figure out how to protect my light-colored clothing from getting red color transfer (perhaps by applying some kind of product to the bag?) -- or tell me this isn't possible.
I've just purchased this bag in red. I really like it, but it came with a tag warning that color transfer may occur. I haven't owned a leather item in many years and did some research about taking care of it, which turned up this company. I emailed to ask what they would recommend and it was this collection of products (though, on pressing, she said I could just try the Miracle Shield at the bottom of this page). Now, I don't mind buying some of this stuff if it will really make a difference, but I was hoping to hear some experiences and maybe alternatives from y'all if you can help me.
I also read that red is really prone to color transfer, so I ordered the same bag in kiwi as well (this kiwi link is a different bag; they don't seem to have the specific bag I bought in kiwi any more, but you can see the color there). If the red is definitely going to get all over my white sweaters and such, I could potentially go with kiwi (I like red more, but I don't want to have to worry about it all the time...), but would that color have the same problem?
Thanks so much for your help!!
I've just purchased this bag in red. I really like it, but it came with a tag warning that color transfer may occur. I haven't owned a leather item in many years and did some research about taking care of it, which turned up this company. I emailed to ask what they would recommend and it was this collection of products (though, on pressing, she said I could just try the Miracle Shield at the bottom of this page). Now, I don't mind buying some of this stuff if it will really make a difference, but I was hoping to hear some experiences and maybe alternatives from y'all if you can help me.
I also read that red is really prone to color transfer, so I ordered the same bag in kiwi as well (this kiwi link is a different bag; they don't seem to have the specific bag I bought in kiwi any more, but you can see the color there). If the red is definitely going to get all over my white sweaters and such, I could potentially go with kiwi (I like red more, but I don't want to have to worry about it all the time...), but would that color have the same problem?
Thanks so much for your help!!
The issue you're concerned about is called "rub fastness." You can both dry rub test and damp rub test your bag with a plain white cloth and the bottom of your bag. You'll know if you have a rub fastness issue that requires treatment. As 2buckplus says, with a good leather bag, you absolutely should not.
posted by DarlingBri at 11:21 PM on March 3, 2011
posted by DarlingBri at 11:21 PM on March 3, 2011
I agree that if the bag is made well, you shouldn't get any rub transfer from it.
But I would also beware of transfer the other way. Dark denim, in particular, is prone to rub transfer onto lighter-coloured leather, and the resultant stains can be difficult to remove without damaging the bag's finish. Shoulder bags are particularly vulnerable because they're constantly sliding against your body as you move around.
posted by Georgina at 12:35 AM on March 4, 2011
But I would also beware of transfer the other way. Dark denim, in particular, is prone to rub transfer onto lighter-coloured leather, and the resultant stains can be difficult to remove without damaging the bag's finish. Shoulder bags are particularly vulnerable because they're constantly sliding against your body as you move around.
posted by Georgina at 12:35 AM on March 4, 2011
Hi guys. Thanks for the responses so far! I guess I should have included the following in my original post:
1. When I first got the bag and saw the warning, I emailed Fossil for more info, and their response was "We do not recommend the spraying of any product on our bags. If the bag is a bright color such as blue or red, we have heard that if you rub a white or light cloth against it while walking or normal use, the color seems to transfer." So... they've "heard" it can be an issue?? Yet they have no suggested fix?
2. I did the damp rub test DarlingBri described and the white cloth did turn pink.
Sooo... I'm back to my original question: is there some way I can prevent this issue by putting something on the leather, or should I go with the kiwi color that's less likely to transfer since it is less bright (unless this is wrong)?
Thank you!
posted by hansbrough at 6:22 AM on March 4, 2011
1. When I first got the bag and saw the warning, I emailed Fossil for more info, and their response was "We do not recommend the spraying of any product on our bags. If the bag is a bright color such as blue or red, we have heard that if you rub a white or light cloth against it while walking or normal use, the color seems to transfer." So... they've "heard" it can be an issue?? Yet they have no suggested fix?
2. I did the damp rub test DarlingBri described and the white cloth did turn pink.
Sooo... I'm back to my original question: is there some way I can prevent this issue by putting something on the leather, or should I go with the kiwi color that's less likely to transfer since it is less bright (unless this is wrong)?
Thank you!
posted by hansbrough at 6:22 AM on March 4, 2011
Also, for what it's worth, the bag does feel really nice and well made.
posted by hansbrough at 6:22 AM on March 4, 2011
posted by hansbrough at 6:22 AM on March 4, 2011
A shoe repair shop may be able to help you.
posted by corey flood at 6:56 AM on March 4, 2011
posted by corey flood at 6:56 AM on March 4, 2011
Just spray it with Scotch Guard in that case. Spot-test it for color change on a tag or inside liner edge.
posted by DarlingBri at 9:28 AM on March 4, 2011
posted by DarlingBri at 9:28 AM on March 4, 2011
Leather is made by tanning it, dying it, then putting a finish on it. If the finish isn't quite good enough, some of the dye may rub off. There are different kinds of finishes; some quite nice leather may still leak dye, even though it's something you're more likely to associate with poor quality leather.
If I were concerned about dye leakage from a leather item with a smooth or especially a glossy finish*, here's what I'd do:
On a small hidden area of the item, test the leather surface with glycerin saddle soap (I like sprayable liquid stuff for the convenience). Dab a little of the soap in that spot. If it discolors, stop; the leather won't tolerate messing with it. If it doesn't, go ahead and wipe the whole bag with soap, rinsing your applicator from time to time to get rid of any dye it's picked up. Make sure to get in the cracks, seams, edges, etc. You can use paper towels, rags, or small sponges.
This should help get rid of any dye that has already come off the leather itself and is just on the surface.
Let it dry completely.
Now you'll want to make doubly sure that what dye is in the leather stays in the leather, and doesn't rub off. You can put a leather finish called Carnauba Cream over just about any other type of finish, and it's a very good finish for flexible or softer leathers (as compared to stiff ones like, for example, shoes).
Again, test on a small hidden area first. Then you can wipe the whole item down with a thin layer of the Carnauba Cream, making sure to get edges, cracks, etc. I prefer to use wool for this, but a very soft cloth, like the remains of a well-worn 100% cotton T-shirt or flannel, should be suitable. Once it dries completely you should have an additional layer of protective finish between the dye and your clothes :) Test again, as you have already done, with a damp white cloth to see if any red comes off. If so, you can try another layer of Carnauba Cream.
Carnauba Cream is also a conditioner, and is good for leather, so don't worry about damaging the item by applying something on top of the nice leather surface you already have. It's even good for applying to items you already have that are starting to look a bit lackluster (after a similar cleaning, as above).
* If your leather has a nubuck or sueded surface, you don't want to do any of this.
posted by galadriel at 1:25 PM on March 4, 2011
If I were concerned about dye leakage from a leather item with a smooth or especially a glossy finish*, here's what I'd do:
On a small hidden area of the item, test the leather surface with glycerin saddle soap (I like sprayable liquid stuff for the convenience). Dab a little of the soap in that spot. If it discolors, stop; the leather won't tolerate messing with it. If it doesn't, go ahead and wipe the whole bag with soap, rinsing your applicator from time to time to get rid of any dye it's picked up. Make sure to get in the cracks, seams, edges, etc. You can use paper towels, rags, or small sponges.
This should help get rid of any dye that has already come off the leather itself and is just on the surface.
Let it dry completely.
Now you'll want to make doubly sure that what dye is in the leather stays in the leather, and doesn't rub off. You can put a leather finish called Carnauba Cream over just about any other type of finish, and it's a very good finish for flexible or softer leathers (as compared to stiff ones like, for example, shoes).
Again, test on a small hidden area first. Then you can wipe the whole item down with a thin layer of the Carnauba Cream, making sure to get edges, cracks, etc. I prefer to use wool for this, but a very soft cloth, like the remains of a well-worn 100% cotton T-shirt or flannel, should be suitable. Once it dries completely you should have an additional layer of protective finish between the dye and your clothes :) Test again, as you have already done, with a damp white cloth to see if any red comes off. If so, you can try another layer of Carnauba Cream.
Carnauba Cream is also a conditioner, and is good for leather, so don't worry about damaging the item by applying something on top of the nice leather surface you already have. It's even good for applying to items you already have that are starting to look a bit lackluster (after a similar cleaning, as above).
* If your leather has a nubuck or sueded surface, you don't want to do any of this.
posted by galadriel at 1:25 PM on March 4, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by 2bucksplus at 10:25 PM on March 3, 2011