How to care for luxury goods so they last
Most damage to fine things comes from ordinary habits: a bag stored in plastic, a sweater left on a wire hanger, a ring worn into the pool. These sections cover the routine care, material by material, that keeps good pieces in use for decades.
Leather: clean gently, condition sparingly
Wipe smooth leather with a soft, dry cloth after use, and lift marks with a barely damp cloth or a cleaner made for that type of leather. Condition only when the surface starts to look dry, which for many bags is a few times a year; too much conditioner can darken the color and leave a sticky film.
Spot-test every new product on a hidden area first, and skip household cleaners, alcohol and baby wipes, which can strip finishes. How you store a bag matters as much as how you clean it.
- Stuff bags with acid-free tissue so they keep their shape.
- Keep them in breathable cotton dust bags, since plastic traps moisture and invites mold.
- Store them away from radiators, sunny windows and hot cars.
- Separate pale leather from dark or patent pieces that can transfer color.
- Rest bags on a shelf rather than hanging them by their straps.
Suede, nubuck and exotic skins
Suede and nubuck dislike water and oil. Brush them regularly with a suede brush to lift the nap, rub scuffs with a suede eraser, and use a protector spray only after testing it on a hidden spot. If they get wet, blot gently, let them dry at room temperature and brush once dry.
Exotic skins such as crocodile, ostrich and snakeskin need products made for them, or a specialist’s care. Keep them away from humidity and direct heat, and wipe snakeskin in the direction of the scales so the edges don’t lift.
Cashmere and wool knits
Hand wash cashmere and fine wool in cold water with a wool wash, or dry clean if the label calls for it. Never wring a knit: press the water out, roll it in a towel and dry it flat, away from heat. Fold sweaters rather than hanging them, because hangers stretch the shoulders.
Clothes moth larvae feed on animal fibers and favor sweat and food residue, so clean knits before storing them for the season. Cedar helps deter moths but fades; lightly sand the blocks to refresh the scent. Remove pills with a cashmere comb or fabric shaver, using light strokes.
Silk: cool water and quick action on stains
Silk is strong for its weight but sensitive to heat, sunlight, sweat and chemicals. Hand wash washable silk in cool water with a gentle detergent, roll it in a towel instead of wringing, and iron it on a low setting from the reverse side.
Perfume, hairspray and deodorant can leave marks that set for good, so apply them and let them dry before you dress. Blot a fresh stain instead of rubbing it, and take oily or set-in marks to a dry cleaner, saying what caused them.
Fine jewelry and pearls
Store each piece on its own in a soft pouch or lined compartment, since diamonds scratch other gems and metals and loose chains tangle. Clean most gold, platinum and diamond pieces with warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush, rinsing over a bowl rather than an open drain. Keep emeralds, opals, pearls and treated stones out of ultrasonic cleaners.
Pearls go on last, after makeup, perfume and hairspray, and come off first. Wipe them with a soft cloth after each wear and store them flat so the silk thread doesn’t stretch. Once a year, have a jeweler check prongs, clasps and settings, since a worn prong is a common reason stones go missing. Take rings and bracelets off before jobs like these.
- Swimming in pools or hot tubs, where chlorine can attack gold alloys.
- Cleaning with bleach or other household chemicals.
- Gardening, lifting weights or moving furniture.
- Applying lotion or sunscreen, which leaves a dulling film.
Watches and shoes
Have a mechanical watch serviced on the schedule its maker recommends, and if you swim with it, have the water resistance tested each year, since gaskets harden and wear with age. Keep watches away from strong magnets in speakers, tablet covers and bag clasps. A magnetized watch often runs fast, and a watchmaker can usually demagnetize it in minutes.
Slip cedar shoe trees into leather shoes as soon as you take them off, so they absorb moisture and hold the shape while the leather dries. Give each pair at least a day of rest between wears, and have a cobbler resole welted shoes before wear reaches the welt or insole.
Photos, appraisals and insurance
Many standard homeowners and renters policies set low limits for jewelry, watches and furs, especially for theft. A scheduled personal property rider, sometimes called a floater, covers listed items for stated amounts, often with broader protection than the base policy. Ask your insurer how often it wants new appraisals, and update them as gold and gem prices move.
Claims go more smoothly with evidence in hand. Keep a record for each valuable piece, with copies stored away from the items themselves, such as in secure cloud storage.
- Photos from several angles, including labels and any existing damage.
- Serial numbers, hallmarks, maker’s marks and measurements.
- Receipts, appraisals, grading reports and certificates.
- Dated records of every service and repair.