• To clean simply wipe it with a soft damp cloth. Water can damage/dry out leather over time, to ensure the cloth is damp, not wet.

• For stubborn marks or dirt, use a leather cleaner suitable for bags. The cleaner should be pH balanced as acidic or alkaline products may react with the chemicals in the finish. Do not use baby wipes or alcohol to clean the bag and avoid greasy products that could clog the leather’s pores.

• For general maintenance, dust the bag with a soft, dry cloth. Use a white cloth to prevent color transfer and try not to dampen or wet the leather as water causes stains and warping. If the bag has a stain that sits on the surface of the leather, brush it off with a soft-bristle nylon brush. Brushing the bag cleans it and refreshes the nap. Take care not to brush too hard and damage the leather.

Note: Be very careful with cleaning the metallic and sheepskin leathers, test a small spot first

• If a leather bag shows signs of drying and cracking, seek assistance from a leather care professional. But before that happens, invest in a leather conditioner! Since leather is porous, it loses moisture through evaporation. Use a conditioner once a month to keep your goods looking their best. Wipe excess product and allow the bag to air dry completely before storing it.

• You can apply a water and stain repellent product after conditioning. These come in a direct application or spray types. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for these products to avoid leather discoloration or damage. Application-type products last longer than spray products. If you choose a spray product, remember to reapply it regularly. Bear in mind that this provides some protection, but does not make the leather completely waterproof.

• Use a soft/fine bristled brush to brush away the dirt and dust. Wipe with a damp cloth the direction of the hair.

• For stains use a damp brush (cloth or sponge), to lightly wet the stain, soak up any excess water with a paper towel. Be sure to let the item dry overnight. Don’t dry in sunlight as this may cause the color to fade. Protect with suede-specific leather care products.

• Spot clean the canvas only with mild detergent and warm water. For grease stains treat with dish soap.

• Machine Wash Cold With Like Colors, Use Mild Detergent, Tumble Dry Low<

• If your leather bag gets wet, do not use a hair dryer or other heat source to dry it. Carefully wipe away excess moisture and allow the bag to air dry. If you apply heat, the leather tends to warp. For stubborn stains, try rubbing the spot with a white eraser, but be gentle and check whether it aggravates the problem before rubbing the entire area. Soak up oil spills with cornstarch. Apply the dust to the area and let it sit overnight. Dust it off the next day.

• Deal with stains as quickly as possible so they do not have time to harden or stain the leather. If necessary, seek professional assistance.

• When storing your bag, insect activity, moisture, and warping are its three biggest enemies.

• If possible, store it in a dust bag. You can always substitute a soft cotton pillowcase. Do not wrap a leather bag in plastic, as it requires ventilation to prevent mold. Store it in a cool, dry place with good air ventilation. Unwrap it every few weeks to check for mold and allow it to breathe.

Enzymes (ingredients typically ending in -ase) in detergents work to lift hard to remove stains out of clothes. Unfortunately, when they are used on artisanal block and screen prints, they lift the color off the garment, causing extreme fading. Non-Enzyme, Non-Bio detergents do not contain these harsh enzymes. Care for your hand-block and -screen printed apparel, your skin, and the environment by switching to a non-enzyme detergent!

The washing process is tough on clothes. Agitating, tumbling, and coming in contact with other garments can leave garments faded, stretched, pilling, and damaged. Unless your piece is visibly dirty, you likely don’t need to wash it after each wearing. Try to extend washing to every other wear, or even three wears, before you toss your washer-safe garments in the laundry.

Keeping a stain removal pen in your handbag will allow you to tend to stains as they happen and potentially avoid an unnecessary wash cycle!

Darker material can become faded in the wash, particularly as it rubs up against other garments. Artisanal printing techniques (such as block- and screen-printing) applied to the outside of apparel can also fade with repeated abrasion in the wash. Washing inside out will provide more protection and prevent your solids and prints from losing their color.

Invest in a few delicates bags that will help preserve the lifespan of your delicate pieces by preventing abrasion and snagging, a particular concern for hand-loomed apparel or gentle fabrics like chiffon.

Every machine is different. Even for dryer-safe apparel pieces, using a clothesline or drying rack will avoid overheating and potential shrinking garments in the dryer. This is particularly relevant for apparel with spandex, as heat is known to break down the elasticity in garments, causing unwanted stretching.

The fabric used on this piece is hand block-printed with eco-friendly dyes. This ancient printing technique utilizes a hand-carved wood block dipped in dye to stamp prints onto fabric by hand, one square foot at a time! Due to the small-batch, artisanal nature of this fabric, each piece is truly unique.

Preserve the lifespan of your one-of-a-kind, block-printed Sseko piece by following these sustainable care tips:
• Wash less!
• When you wash, wash by hand.
• Treat stains separately.
• Use non-enzyme, non-biological detergents.
• Hang dry in shade

Crinkle crepe has a permanent crinkle effect that makes it wrinkle-friendly and easy to wear, providing stretch without spandex! Although the crinkles are permanent, they may become more prominent after washing, which may impact the fit of your garment. Hang dry to add length or customize your fit by shaping and laying flat to dry. Treat with steam or a warm iron to relax the crinkle back to its original form if desired!