What the houses say
- Hermès: store in a temperate, dry place away from light, ideally in the original box or dust cover. Put tissue paper or bubble wrap inside to hold the shape, with zips closed and straps attached. Don't use anti-humidity sachets, which dry leather.
- Chanel: store the bag upright in its pouch, ideally wrapped in tissue paper that also covers the straps or chains, and don't overfill it.
- Louis Vuitton: store it in the felt pouch it came with, in a ventilated place. Boxes and heat sources are not recommended, because they dry the materials.
The houses differ on boxes: Hermès prefers the original box, while Louis Vuitton advises against boxes. Follow the maker of the bag.
What conservators say
The Canadian Conservation Institute's guidance for leather collections:
- Humidity. Below 30% relative humidity, leather loses moisture and becomes brittle. Above 65%, mould grows and the fibres degrade. It recommends a stable 45–55% at 18–20 °C.
- Where not to store. Not over radiators or heating pipes, not in damp basements and not near sweating pipes.
- Wrapping. Wrapping in acid-free tissue or cotton, inside a box, softens swings in humidity. Use unbuffered acid-free tissue: buffered materials are alkaline and can harm leather.
- Light and dust. Store leather in the dark. Dyed leather is especially sensitive to light. Protect it from dust, which attracts moisture.
- Mould. Mould shows as a thin grey, green or white powdery layer, or small black dots. If you see it, lower the humidity, isolate the piece and dry it slowly with better air circulation.
- Checks. Inspect stored pieces for mould and insects about every three months.