Problems with peeling handbags

That is odd as the leather (well we thought it was leather) on my DH’s coat has done exactly the same thing as you describe. It had been in a wardrobe for over a year. We were both puzzled by what caused this. Unfortunately he had to throw it out.

My 'expensive' (to me anyway!) Leather sofas are both flaking away and I have very unsatisfactory covers on them now. Obviously not real leather !

Emeraldforest

My 'expensive' (to me anyway!) Leather sofas are both flaking away and I have very unsatisfactory covers on them now. Obviously not real leather !

I have the same problem it wasn’t expensive as such middle of the road price, but it’s all flaking away on the chair I use the most. Very disappointing Luckily I rarely have visitors apart from family but I didn’t expect it to happen at all

My very best ones are kept in cloth bags with a draw string. I assume deterioration is to do with the atmosphere.

I still have my «going away outfit» black leather handbag, from 1970, suede lined and in mint condition.
In 1970 I believe it cost £25 - which was the equivalent of 2 weeks rent in our first flat !
(Kept in a dust bag, like Mum’s beautiful bags- sadly not the sort I would use.)

RosiesMawagain

I still have my «going away outfit» black leather handbag, from 1970, suede lined and in mint condition.
In 1970 I believe it cost £25 - which was the equivalent of 2 weeks rent in our first flat !
(Kept in a dust bag, like Mum’s beautiful bags- sadly not the sort I would use.)

Aww, RosiesMawagain, this reminded me of the black patent, suede lined handbag my Mum & Dad bought me for my 18th (1970), 21 guineas in John Lewis. Still in the original dustbag, still beautiful and used for my daughter's wedding in 2011.

You've made me think- it probably was guineas- "luxuries" often seemed to come in guineas rather than pleb ££££- I think our rent was 10guineas too!
How that dates me!

Are they made in China? I have a leather handbag which I bought from Hotter ages ago. It's still like new.

This also happened to my boots which I had not worn but kept in the wardrobe.

Leather needs treated from time to time with a balm. Stored in acid free bag.

Seemingly, coated leather does this. I had two leather sofas from a reputable shop some years ago and some areas of the sofas started to peel - looked like blisters. They were under a five year warranty (didn’t pay for it) and the chap came and measured up, sourced new sections and replaced them. He told me they coat the leather after dying it which makes it all the same colour and the coating was to fix said colour. No idea if that was true or not.

I took a big white leather bag - never used it for years - bag away with me, as a cabin bag last July. Every time I put it down, it left white flakes and dust everywhere. I was starting to look like a major cocaine dealer, so I dumped it in the hotel room bin.
I’m currently going through a bag sort out and none of the others have flaked like that.

Some leather products are made up of slithers of leather bonded together and then glued to a background, dyed to look like a whole skin. I suspect it is these products which eventually shed.
As MT62 has said leather products need to be conditioned with balm, otherwise they dry out and crack. I have several vintage handbags that I treat this way.
The beautiful calf skin bags of the past are very costly now. Does anyone remember Enny and Tula makes. I still have several in excellent condition and use them regularly.

MartavTaurus

My very best ones are kept in cloth bags with a draw string. I assume deterioration is to do with the atmosphere.

A friend of mine collects expensive bags. They are kept in a temperature controlled room.
It’s either temperature or the bag isn’t leather.

J52

Some leather products are made up of slithers of leather bonded together and then glued to a background, dyed to look like a whole skin. I suspect it is these products which eventually shed.
As MT62 has said leather products need to be conditioned with balm, otherwise they dry out and crack. I have several vintage handbags that I treat this way.
The beautiful calf skin bags of the past are very costly now. Does anyone remember Enny and Tula makes. I still have several in excellent condition and use them regularly.

The word is sliver

Slithers/slithering are what a snake does across a floor.

Best place for real leather bags etc is Rowallan, in my opinion

RosiesMawagain

J52

Some leather products are made up of slithers of leather bonded together and then glued to a background, dyed to look like a whole skin. I suspect it is these products which eventually shed.
As MT62 has said leather products need to be conditioned with balm, otherwise they dry out and crack. I have several vintage handbags that I treat this way.
The beautiful calf skin bags of the past are very costly now. Does anyone remember Enny and Tula makes. I still have several in excellent condition and use them regularly.

The word is sliver

Slithers/slithering are what a snake does across a floor.

Of course! I know that. Thanks for pointing out my error/ typo

crazyH

Best place for real leather bags etc is Rowallan, in my opinion

Yes, I’m using one today, very roomy.

When we bought our Parker Knoll leather suite I asked them to provide me with care instructions. They were clear that no creams should be used and only cleaned with pure soap flakes. This is all we have done and after 9 years all is well. However, my parents bought an expensive leather suite which they lovingly cared for with leather creams. The leather gradually flaked all over it. Whereas my aunt bought a cheaper leather at the same time and was given the same advice as we were. Her’s went on for years with no flaking.

Recently I fished out a forgotten black patent bag which is embroidered with pink flowers and the whole thing has peeled .
I've thrown it away .

Georgesgran

I took a big white leather bag - never used it for years - bag away with me, as a cabin bag last July. Every time I put it down, it left white flakes and dust everywhere. I was starting to look like a major cocaine dealer, so I dumped it in the hotel room bin.
I’m currently going through a bag sort out and none of the others have flaked like that.

😂

We bought two light tan coloured leather Klausner sofas about 20 years ago did an occasional wipe with a wet wipe, due to jeans staining…they’re now in the conservatory after having purchased nearly 4 years ago a couple of Stressless sofas (not even a wet wipe has touched these)… we were asked when buying all the sofas what grade of leather we wanted…so it all depends on the grade of the leather.

All leather needs to be fed. I use products from
www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/leather-care-products?utm_source=Furniture+Clinic+UK&utm_campaign=a8773965d4-Decking-Oil-Kit&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-12e899b2d1-239399546&mc_cid=a8773965d4&mc_eid=036631f906

Other brands and types available
Depending on how far gone the leather is, it can be brought back to life with care.

Does anyone remember using Renovating Polish for leather shoes? Available in different colours, it made old, scuffed shoes look almost new again!
I bought some recently and it worked wonders on a crossbody handbag that was on its way to the bin. It's worth using on leather items like shoes, handbags, belts to perk them up.
For goodness sake, though, use very little at a time and rub it off thoroughly so it doesn't mark you or your clothes!