There is no easy step to restoring a luxury handbag – some may think it is as easy as grabbing a color and spraying it on – AU CONTRAIRE – the process of handbag restoration, if done correctly is very involved and requires a few extremely sensitive skills: leather knowledge and color matching abilities.
The different tanning procedures used on leather will cause leathers to be soft or strong, color fast or easily oxidizing, durable and waterproof or easily stained and oxidized. All of these issues are inherent in the various leather and without the understanding of leather it is impossible to properly restore them.
Color matching an already factory dyed leather demands proper color matching knowledge such as the Munsell Theory. Without proper color matching no restoration is acceptable.
Restored bags are not original bags but should be aesthetically acceptable – which is all you can expect from the best – the leather should feel soft and the color should be as close to the original as possible -
So far from research Lovin My Bags is by far the best in handbag redying.
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A new Lamb Cleanser has been developed by Lovin My Bags and is available online -
It is unscented and made with botanicals and natural renewable resources – it is safe for all skin contact – and mostly it is an effective cleanser for the most delicate Lamb skin bags such as Chanel, Miu Miu, Jimmy Choo etc.
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PROTECTION is the best word to use when talking about Vachetta leather – it stains and darkens easily – however does not clean so easily.
Honey Butter cleanser from Lovin My Bags has been the most amazing breakthrough for cleaning darkened handles -
There is also a Pre-Treatment that is available for the new LV leathers – to ensure non-darkening of the leather – it does not suppress the patina from developing but it does prepare the leather for the Miracle Shield which is the most important protection LV can have. Miracle Shield will protect LV leather from oil and water stains – as well as create a barrier that will enable the leather to be cleaned more easily.
Prevention is the name of the game with LV leather 
The LV kit from LMB is available by clicking here.
Spray-on protection, does not offer the same amount of protection and has to be applied consistantly and regularly for water protection – tests have shown that oil will still stain even when spray on protection has been applied.
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Chanel’s made with Lamb skin are absolutely yummy – this leather is one that needs protection and some understanding of the delicacies that it presents.
The Tan color Chanel is the most vulnerable – the best solution is prevention -
Use Miracle Shield by Lovin My Bags to protect the leather from water and oil stains -
Lovin My Bags also makes a very effective Chanel cleanser that is safe and non-darkening and should be used in conjunction with the Protection.
Corners are vulnerable to wear and should have a little Protection applied on a regular bases with a little paint brush to keep the leather from chaffing on the corners.
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Most fabric handbag linings are fairly cleanable -
To clean – pull the lining out – check to see if the pattern or the fabric is colorfast. Using a laundry detergent – create a mild solution with water – use a clean cloth dipped in the solution and start cleaning gently – if the bag is leather – make sure to warp the leather part of the bag in a towel in order to prevent any water stains.
Oxy based cleaners that are made for all colors work great on some of the printed fabrics.
Ink and other permanent stains could be lightened with a little bleach solution applied with a paint brush so as to focus on the stain itself.
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Balenciaga leather fades toward the yellow – called oxidation. This is not something that can not be easily avoided, since you do carry your bag outside in the sun – but if the bag can be kept from direct sunlight that is the first step to slowing the process down- store the bag in the dustcover; use Color Enhancing Moisturizer by Lovin My Bags to keep the dyes from fading – some colors are less likely to fade and those are the darker colored Balenciagas.
Beautiful leather always has its weakness!
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