Taking care of genuine leather bags
Our goal is for every NÚKOT bag to remain in your collection for as long as possible.The key to achieving this is to take proper care of your items.This helps to prevent damage and preserve the appearance and functionality of bags and accessories, ensuring they serve you for longer.
DO’S
- If the item gets wet, leave it to dry naturally at room temperature. Do not use additional heat sources such as a hairdryer or radiator.
- To help the bag retain its shape when storing or transporting it, place unbleached paper or fabric inside.
- Store all leather bags in fabric or dust bags in muted colours.
- When cleaning smooth leather, choose soft cloths, microfibre cloths or special brushes.
- For cleaning bags and accessories at home, we recommend the LEATHER CARE KIT from NÚKOT (Take Care! section) for different types of leather.
To protect your bag from moisture all year round, you can use the NÚKOT raincoat (Take Care! section), which fits all NÚKOT bag sizes and models, or a water-repellent spray (we recommend Nano Protect from the Ukrainian manufacturer InClean).
DON’TS
- Avoid contact with chemicals, wet wipes, oils, cosmetics and perfumes, as these can cause stains.
- Avoid getting the item too wet, as water can damage its appearance and cause it to deform or lose colour.
- For white and light-colored items, avoid close contact with items that may stain or transfer color.
- Any type of dark skin can stain light-coloured items, but this property is lost after several weeks of active use.
- Avoid applying care products near fittings, such as locks and fasteners, as this may affect their appearance or damage the metal.
- The products should not be folded or compressed during storage or transportation.
Tips for caring for bags made of different types of leather
When creating bags, we work with a challenging material: leather changes during the production process and over time, and can even be affected by the changing seasons. This requires attention and care, and if the leather receives both in abundance, the bags become truly timeless.
NÚKOT bags made of genuine leather
Our leather products are made of genuine leather, including textured Flotar, smooth Nappa, and glossy Nappalak.
Flotar leather looks and feels lifelike, with a grainy texture that changes under the light. It is scratch-resistant, durable, easy to handle, and ages beautifully.
Nappa leather can be recognised by touch alone. Soft, smooth and elastic, it literally lets air through and breathes. Over time, it 'softens', adapting to your lifestyle while retaining signs of wear and tear.
Nappalak is a special type of leather with a mirror coating that is instantly recognisable. It is a festive leather, but it does not tolerate carelessness or scratches.
NÚKOT embossed leather bags
Embossed leather bags combine the finest natural leather with innovative techniques to create texture and relief.
Croco is a type of glossy, natural leather embossed with a crocodile texture. During production, the leather is pressed with special dies to create the pattern, and then treated with a glossy finish.
Snake leather has an exceptionally smooth, even surface and is characterised by a deep, rich colour and noble matte or slightly satin finish. The snake print is applied to the leather using volumetric embossing.
PAY ATTENTION:
Embossing is sensitive to pressure and deformation, so creases or cracks may appear if the bag is stored folded or under weight. To help maintain the bag's shape and keep the surface smooth, store it in a breathable bag filled with soft filler and away from sunlight and heat.
NÚKOT bags made of Split velour and Suede
Split velour is a type of natural leather made from the lower layer of the hide, once the smooth outer layer has been removed. As it is not protected from external influences, suede is very delicate and requires special care and attention.
PAY ATTENTION:
Split velour and Suede prefer dry weather and dislike moisture. Before going out in the rain, make sure you use a water-repellent spray and/or a NÚKOT raincoat.
Dark colours can leave marks on clothing in the form of particles of leather, while light-coloured bags, on the contrary, absorb colours from clothing.
Regularly clean the surface of the item with a soft suede brush, moving it only in one direction to maintain the evenness of the material.
If the bag gets wet, allow it to dry naturally at room temperature, away from other heat sources.
If you wear the product regularly, it is recommended that you clean it at home once a month.
Do not attempt to remove large stains yourself and do not use traditional dry cleaning methods for shoes or clothing. Professional cleaning should only be carried out by a workshop specialising in suede or split velour products.
NÚKOT raffia bags
Our raffia bags are made from a blend of fibres, with each model using a different ratio of cotton and polyamide. This material is produced for us by a family-run Italian factory in the province of Florence.
The unique, soft texture of each piece of material means that the weaving on each bag may vary slightly. Our clutch bags are made using raffia with a jacquard weave, while our tote and hobo drop bags are made using a more natural, artisanal technique.
PAY ATTENTION:
Although raffia bags are more resistant to moisture than leather items, it is important to avoid getting them too wet. Use a soft, damp cloth to clean them gently.
Store raffia items in a cool, dark place, away from sunlight.
To prevent deformation and help the bag keep its shape, we recommend storing it filled.
Take care by NÚKOT: leather care kit
We recommend using a LEATHER CARE KIT for bags and accessories for the high-quality home care of all types of leather items, including suede, split velour, Nappa, Flotar and Nappalak. This kit is manufactured in Ukraine and tested by experts at the NÚKOT production facility.
Each kit includes:
- Leather Cleanser – a cleansing spray suitable for all types of leather. Gently removes dirt and stains, contains no harsh chemical components or abrasives, making it safe for delicate materials.
- Suede Conditioner – a conditioning balm for bags and accessories made of suede and split velour, restoring the material’s softness, color, and elasticity.
- Suede Brush – a natural-bristle brush for cleaning suede and split velour bags and accessories.
- Take Care clutch bag made of faux leather with a magnetic closure.
Recommendations on how to clean a leather bag at home
There are three main rules for cleaning genuine leather:
- Clean not only the stained area, but the entire surface of the bag, or even the whole bag.
- Light-coloured bags and those you wear most often should be cleaned monthly. Other bags should be cleaned every few months.
- Less is more! When cleaning your bag, use a soft brush, a small amount of cleaning product and minimal water.
PAY ATTENTION:
Large stains are not suitable for home treatment or regular dry cleaning. Only entrust them to specialist workshops that work specifically with leather products.
How to clean a suede or split velour leather bag at home
- Use a dry brush with natural bristles to clean the bag of dust.
- Treat deep stains with a colourless eraser. Gently wipe the bag in light movements, without applying excessive pressure.
- Moisten a brush with a small amount of water, shake off the excess and dampen the leather evenly — it should be damp, but not wet.
- Remove any excess moisture with a microfibre cloth.
- Next, apply a cleaning spray. Apply it to a slightly damp brush and clean the entire bag with light strokes. Then use the microfibre cloth again to remove any excess moisture.
- Fill the bag with uncoloured paper to help it keep its shape, then leave it to dry for several hours at room temperature. It is best to hang the bag up.
- While the leather is drying, gently brush it with a dry brush every two to three hours. Brush in different directions to lift the nap and restore the leather's softness.
- Once the leather is completely dry, it will harden. To restore its natural softness, apply a balm. Before use, shake the bottle well and spray the balm over the entire surface of the bag from a distance of at least 30 cm. Leave it to dry for a few minutes. Then, comb the pile again with light strokes and leave the bag for a further 2–3 hours. Repeat the procedure with the brush.
PAY ATTENTION:
It takes 12–15 hours for a medium-sized suede or split velour leather bag to dry. For best results, hang it in a dry room away from direct sunlight.
How to clean a leather bag at home
For bags made of Nappa, Nappalak, Flotar, Croco, and Snake leather:
- Carefully remove any dust from the bag using a soft, neutral-coloured microfibre cloth.
- Spray the cloth with cleaning solution and wipe the entire bag evenly, not just the stained area.
- Fill the bag with uncoloured paper and leave it in a dry place, preferably hanging, until it is completely dry.
- A small genuine leather bag takes at least 7 hours to dry.
PAY ATTENTION:
Never use brushes with stiff bristles to clean genuine leather bags, as they can cause scratches.
Professional cleaning and restoration
If you have any questions about repairs or complaints relating to NÚKOT products, please contact us at customercare@nukot.com.ua or via direct message on Instagram. Be sure to attach a photo of your item when reaching out.
Take care!