Product Care

 

Protecting your new investment, including leather and canvas waterproofing, cleaning, preservation and more, is essential to keeping your bag looking as pristine as the day you bought it. To ensure that your Jon Hart Design product remains an heirloom-worthy treasure, follow our tips below.

How to Care for Our Leather:

About Natural Vegetable Tanned Leather
Jon Hart Design uses the highest quality vegetable tanned leather on our traditional coated canvas products. Vegetable tanned leather undergoes a tightly-controlled process that utilizes tree bark and other natural tannins to produce a leather prized for both its beauty and its workability. Natural vegetable tanned leather has not been dyed, treated with chemicals or treated with acrylic varnish- this ensures that the leather won't crack, peel, or split and will last for decades. One of the hallmarks of natural vegetable tanned leather is that you can often see distinct variations in color and grain upon close inspection.

Aging beautifully
Over time, the natural vegetable tanned leather will tan and patina. Patina is a soft sheen that develops through use and exposure on the surface of the material which provides character and personality to the product. This is why new Jon Hart Design coated canvas items start off with very light leather patches and trim and become a beautiful caramel color.

Stains on Natural Vegetable Tanned Leather

Removing stains such as pen mark is different depending on the type of ink and age of the leather.

The leather patch on your product is natural vegetable tanned leather which means that it isn't chemically treated with sealants. Over time however, the leather absorbs the natural oils from your hands and the environment and forms a natural seal. The first thing to figure out is if your leather has become naturally sealed. To do this, drop a little water on an inconspicuous area. If the water rolls off then your leather is sealed. If the water is soaked up, your leather is unsealed.

If your leather is sealed, you can follow these instructions.

If your leather is not sealed, we find that using an ultra fine 3,000 grit sandpaper (feels more like velvet than sandpaper) can be used to gently buff out the mark without damaging the leather. With that said, if the leather has already started to patina (tan) it may leave a light spot. Although that light spot will patina over time to match the rest of the patch, you can speed it up with a leather conditioner.

Conditioning Natural Vegetable Tanned Leather

Vegetable-tanned leather is meant to be used every day and can withstand almost any adventure. Due to its high quality, you shouldn't need to treat or condition it with normal use. If you choose to condition the leather there are many commercially-available weather proofing conditioners designed for vegetable-tanned leather. Simple oils such as mineral oil, neatsfoot oil, or olive oil also work well. Simply rub in a light coat evenly, then buff it with a clean dry rag. You can repeat these steps as many times as you like, but keep in mind that conditioning leather usually darkens it slightly (this is normal).

How to Care for our Coated Canvas:

Cleaning coated canvas

Most Jon Hart Design products are made with coated canvas. Coated canvas is a durable material made to withstand the elements. As a result, you are likely to keep it for a very long time and it may become dirty or absorb dyes from clothing.
Cleaning coated canvas is simple and easy to do. Options include:

• Microfiber cloth
• Soap and warm water
• Hand sanitizer (no more than 70% alcohol)
• Convertible car top cleaner

If you have a stubborn stain such as pen mark, apply the cleaner onto the fabric and wrap a microfiber cloth around something with a flat, blunt edge. Rub the cleaner into the stain with the microfiber wrapped blunt edge and the stain should improve or remove.

 

How to Care for our Clear Items:

Caring for bags made of clear PVC requires simple maintenance to keep them looking their best. Begin by wiping down the bag with a soft, damp cloth to remove any surface dirt or debris. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the PVC material. For tougher stains, a mild soap diluted in water can be used, but be sure to rinse thoroughly afterward. To prevent scratching, store the bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and sharp objects. Additionally, avoid overfilling the bag to prevent stretching or warping of the PVC material. With proper care, your clear PVC bag will stay looking clear and pristine for a long time to come.  Protect the material from prolonged exposure to insect repellent, especially those that contain Deet.

How to Care for our Soft Canvas:

Cleaning soft canvas

The soft canvas should be spot treated with warm water and a mild soap.  Since some soaps or detergents contain descaling agents or citric acid, you should first test in an inconspicuous place.  Please do not allow the soft canvas to come in contact with acne medication, makeup removing wipes or baby wipes.  Both acne medication and many wipes contain acidic ingredients that will discolor the material.  

Coated & Soft Canvas Wrinkles 
Steaming our canvas material is an effective way to remove wrinkles that may have formed during storage. If you don't have a steamer, a hairdryer on a warm (not hot) setting held at least 6 inches from the item for several seconds is another option. Make sure that you apply heat or steam to the inside of the item, as this is the safest and most effective way for removing wrinkles.

Storage
We recommend that you store your items in a cool, dry place. Although our coated canvas is mold and mildew resistant, the leather is an organic material that is not.

Storing your items appropriately is important.  Items that are stored in damp areas and/or with low air circulation can become victim to spores in the air that settle and grow in the fabric resulting in a dark residue and damage to the material.  Please read this article for more information on preventing dry rot.

Clear covers for wheeled luggage:

Our wheeled luggage is made to withstand the rigors of travel. Of course, the more you use your luggage, the more the tell-tale signs of travel become apparent. Some travelers actually prefer the look and feel of more seasoned pieces, but those who want to keep their luggage looking like new may prefer to use Jon Hart Design clear plastic covers. We highly recommend these covers to protect your luggage and keep it looking new. Currently, Jon Hart clear plastic covers are already included in the price of the 360 Large Wheels, as they must be checked on commercial airlines.

Wheeled luggage handles:
The pull handles on our wheeled luggage are designed for ease of movement. We recommend only pulling your luggage by the handle rather than lifting or carrying, as excessive weight or pressure on the pull handle may cause damage or breakage.

For more information on how to care for your product, please contact
Jon Hart Design Customer Service at (210) 226-8544.
For returns, exchanges, and remonograms, please email returns@jonhartdesign.com.