Last week, I posted
before and after photos of the cleaning of a Louis Vuitton
brown monogrammed coated canvas Babylone tote with natural-colored
cowhide leather trim.
In that particular case, we were able to achieve commendable
results.
As is the case with most accessories, the results that can be
achieved are obviously dependant on the age and condition of the
handbag, purse, wallet or backpack. Take this discontinued but very
collectible Louis Vuitton brown monogrammed XL ALTO tote, for
example.
- The brown monogrammed coated canvas was grimy.
- The color of the natural-colored cowhide leather handle and
trim varied from a dark honey to a medium brown.
- The natural-colored cowhide leather trim was heavily stained,
particularly at the bottom and side panels.
- The chocolate brown lining was soiled and exhibited numerous
ink stains.
Our client informed me that the tote had been given to her by a
friend who was about to throw it out. She asked us if there was
anything that could be done to "save" the tote.
Here are the photos of the tote prior to cleaning and leather
conditioning ...
We informed our client that we would do our very best to return
her tote to as close to original condition as possible but that the
real challenge would be returning the cowhide leather to its
original natural color.
The result was quite predictable: the coated canvas and the
lining cleaned up quite nicely. However, despite numerous
cleanings, the cowhide leather defied all attempts to return it to
a "clean" natural color.
Here are photos of the tote after cleaning and leather
conditioning ...
We called our client to inform her that we had completed the
cleaning and that, unfortunately, we were unable to return the
cowhide leather to anything close to a "clean" natural color. We
invited the client to return so that she could examine the results
for herself and explore any further options.
When our client returned she was obviously disappointed with the
results but fully appreciated the extent of the cleaning challenge.
When our client expressed the sentiment that she would not be able
to use the tote in that condition, we suggested one further option:
redye the cowhide leather trim the exact same natural color she
would find on a brand new Louis Vuitton brown monogrammed coated
canvas handbag.
After numerous experiments with different combinations and
concentrations of dyes, we were able to produce our very own "Louis
Vuitton natural color" dye.
Here are photos of the tote after cleaning, redying and leather
conditioning...
When our client returned to collect the tote she was delighted
with the results. To quote her: "It looks almost original". Well,
not quite original, maybe just acceptable.
Prices on the cleaning and reconditioning (inside and out) of
Louis Vuitton brown monogrammed coated canvas handbags, purses and
backpacks with natural-colored cowhide leather start at $125.00.
Turnaround time is 1 to 2 weeks from the date of receipt.
For many more examples of handbags, purses, wallets and
backpacks that we've recently cleaned, please enter HANDBAG
CLEANING in the search engine at the top right of this page.
By the way, if you're looking for a handbag cleaning specialist,
please remember this: All handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks
should be cleaned BY HAND. Never BY MACHINE. And, then, only by a
cleaner who specializes in these accessories. And, the only way to
ensure that the cleaner does, in fact, specialize in these
accessories is to make sure that the cleaner has a FULL TIME
handbag and purse cleaner ON PREMISES.
RAVE FabriCARE is the only dry cleaner in Arizona and one of the
very few in the USA that employs a full time handbag cleaner whose
sole job is to hand clean handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks.
Unlike other dry cleaners, we'd never clean by machine and we'd
never send your accessories to outside third parties for cleaning.
That way we're able to deliver the very best technologically
achievable results and return your items, in most cases, in a week
and a half to two weeks.
How can I help you?
To comment on this post, please use the comment section
below.
To ask a question relating to any of your garments or
accessories, please email us.
Last week, I posted before and after photos of the
cleaning of a Louis Vuitton brown monogrammed coated canvas
Babylone tote with natural-colored cowhide leather trim.
In that particular case, we were able to achieve
commendable results.
As is the case with most accessories, the results
that can be achieved are obviously dependant on the age and
condition of the handbag, purse, wallet or backpack. Take this
discontinued but very collectible Louis Vuitton brown monogrammed
XL ALTO tote, for example.
* The brown monogrammed coated canvas
was grimy.
* The color of the natural-colored
cowhide leather handle and trim varied from a dark honey to a
medium brown.
* The natural-colored cowhide leather
trim was heavily stained, particularly at the bottom and side
panels.
* The chocolate brown lining was
soiled and exhibited numerous ink stains.
Our client informed me that the tote had been given
to her by a friend who was about to throw it out. She asked us if
there was anything that could be done to "save" the tote.
Here are the photos of the tote prior to cleaning
and leather conditioning ...
(Before here)
We informed our client that we would do our very
best to return her tote to as close to original condition as
possible but that the real challenge would be returning the cowhide
leather to its original natural color.
The result was quite predictable: the coated canvas
and the lining cleaned up quite nicely. However, despite numerous
cleanings, the cowhide leather defied all attempts to return it to
a "clean" natural color.
Here are photos of the tote after cleaning and
leather conditioning ...
(photos after cleaning before redying)
We called our client to inform her that we had
completed the cleaning and that, unfortunately, we were unable to
return the cowhide leather to anything close to a "clean" natural
color. We invited the client to return so that she could examine
the results for herself and explore any further options.
When our client returned she was obviously
disappointed with the results but fully appreciated the extent of
the cleaning challenge. When our client expressed the sentiment
that she would not be able to use the tote in that condition, we
suggested one further option: redye the cowhide leather trim the
exact same natural color she would find on a brand new Louis
Vuitton brown monogrammed coated canvas handbag.
After numerous experiments with different
combinations and concentrations of dyes, we were able to produce
our very own "Louis Vuitton natural color" dye.
Here are photos of the tote after cleaning, redying
and leather conditioning...
(photos after dying)
When our client returned to collect the tote she
was delighted with the results. To quote her: "It looks almost
original". Well, not quite original, maybe just acceptable.
Prices on the cleaning and reconditioning (inside
and out) of Louis Vuitton brown monogrammed coated canvas handbags,
purses and backpacks with natural-colored cowhide leather start at
$125.00. Turnaround time is 1 to 2 weeks from the date of
receipt.
For many more examples of handbags, purses, wallets
and backpacks that we've recently cleaned, please enter HANDBAG
CLEANING in the search engine at the top right of this page.
By the way, if you're looking for a handbag
cleaning specialist, please remember this: All handbags, purses,
wallets and backpacks should be cleaned BY HAND. Never BY MACHINE.
And, then, only by a cleaner who specializes in these accessories.
And, the only way to ensure that the cleaner does, in fact,
specialize in these accessories is to make sure that the cleaner
has a FULL TIME handbag and purse cleaner ON PREMISES.
RAVE FabriCARE is the only dry cleaner in Arizona
and one of the very few in the USA that employs a full time handbag
cleaner whose sole job is to hand clean handbags, purses, wallets
and backpacks. Unlike other dry cleaners, we'd never clean by
machine and we'd never send your accessories to outside third
parties for cleaning. That way we're able to deliver the very best
technologically achievable results and return your items, in most
cases, in a week and a half to two weeks.
How can I help you?
To comment on this post, please use the comment
section below.
To ask a question relating to any of your garments
or accessories, please email us.