Product Care

Our pieces are made to go places with you. A little care keeps it ready for wherever you are headed next and help them stay with you longer.

Natural materials have their own character, so variation in colour, grain and texture is part of what makes each piece unique. Some materials will soften, deepen in colour or develop a patina over time, it's all part of the life of the piece.

Leather

Leather is a natural material, so subtle variations in grain, tone and texture are to be expected.

To keep your leather looking its best:

• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, heat and humidity.
• Avoid contact with water, oils, perfumes, cosmetics and other liquids.
• If your piece becomes wet, gently blot with a soft, clean cloth and allow it to dry naturally at room temperature. Avoid heaters or hairdryers.
• Surface marks can be gently wiped with a soft, dry cloth.
• For deeper cleaning or conditioning, a light leather conditioner - something specifically designed for the type and colour of leather of your piece - will keep it supple (of course, always test it first on an inconspicuous area)
• Between adventures, fill your piece with tissue paper and let it rest flat or upright in its dust bag rather than hanging it so that straps don't stretch and it keeps its shape.
• For every day, choose what comes with you. A bag that isn't overfilled will look and feel better for longer

Leather will naturally change with wear. We think that’s part of its charm.

Suede

Our suede is beautiful because of its soft, tactile surface, but it does ask for a little extra care. Most important to be aware of is dark fabrics, especially denim, can leave their colour behind where they rub against it. Wearing it with jeans? Keep an eye on where it sits against you and following these tips will help keep your piece looking fresh:

• Avoid water, rain and prolonged moisture wherever possible.
• Keep suede away from oils, cosmetics and dark or heavily dyed clothing.
• Colour can transfer from denim and other garments onto lighter suede, particularly through friction.
• Brush lightly with a clean suede brush to revive the nap and remove surface dust.
• If suede gets wet, blot gently (never rub!) and allow it to dry naturally before brushing.
• A specialist suede protector may help reduce staining, but test it first in a discreet area. We like to use the Collonil brand of products.

Indigo Denim

Our indigo denim is richly dyed and, like your favourite pair of jeans, will soften and evolve with wear.

Because indigo is a deep dye, some colour transfer can occur, particularly when the denim is new, damp or rubbing against pale clothing and surfaces.

A few things worth knowing:

• Avoid prolonged contact with white or light-coloured clothing, upholstery and other pale surfaces, especially when the denim is new.
• Keep the denim dry wherever possible, as moisture can increase colour transfer.
• If the surface needs cleaning, gently spot clean with a soft damp cloth. Avoid soaking.
• Do not use bleach or harsh detergents.
• Allow the piece to dry naturally and away from direct heat.
• The denim may soften and gently fade over time, creating its own character.

The leather components and lining should be cared for according to the leather guidance above.

Colour Transfer

Some of the materials we use - particularly indigo denim, suede and deeply coloured leathers - can transfer colour through friction, moisture or prolonged contact.

Likewise, colour from clothing such as denim can transfer onto lighter-coloured bags and suede.

We recommend taking a little extra care when pairing very dark and very light materials together, especially when either item is new.

Storage

When your Le Freek piece is having some time off:

• Take everything out before storing
• Lightly fill bags with clean, colourfast tissue paper to help maintain their shape
• Place it inside its dust bag
• Store it somewhere cool and dry
• Avoid stacking heavy objects on top of it

And please don't store leather or suede long-term inside airtight or plastic containers, as natural materials like a little airflow.