Louis Vuitton Vachetta: Patina, Tips, Tricks and Don'ts 

I keep a grocery bag in every handbag to use as a "rain jacket" in case it does rain. I fold the grocery bag, put it in a mini ziploc, compress all of the air out of it, and store it in the handbag. You can also include a folded up paper towel to dab rain away.

I love when proper info is put out about LV, and how you let your bags patina because it displays the true essence of Louis Vuitton.

In my experience, Applegarde does not speed up the patina. It protects it from rain and dirt. Your videos are by far my favorite, thanks for always giving such good reviews and suggestions! If you use a bandeau on the handles the vachetta leather will be 2 different colors to where sometimes you can’t get the patina leather color match perfectly again.

Minnie, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate videos like this! My first LV Neverfull bag was in the DE print. Super easy to care for. I finally broke down and purchased the MM in mono print. I have followed your advice regarding caring for vachetta and the patina process. Happy to say I have a nice honey brown patina to show for it. Thanks!

This video was awesome! Thank you so much for posting! Everything you said and did with your vachetta leather is what my instincts tell me to do with my new Speedy; yet, everyone had a different way, and/or opinion. I think I will do what you said---its what gut instinct was anyway. Therefore, I feel confident now. I will start with the 3 day leaving it out--will start today. That was a great tip, by the way.

I purchased a handbag raincoat on amazon for my Louis Vuitton bags! They work great! They come in a case too. Don’t know what I’d do without them!

When I got my Neverfull mm in monogram, I put it in the window for 4 days and kept rotating it so it 'tanned' evenly. 2 months later I went to Croatia, it was so sunny and the straps were beautifully tanned (i love the darker patina) I used baby oil on my Favorite pm monogram. The patina looks so beautiful on both my bags, I just love them! They look perfect! btw I got the Neverfull in May 2019 and I got the Favorite pm in May 2018.

Good Morning Minnie!Thanks for the great tips.You always give so much good information,and are so knowledgable about LV,and Chanel bags.

This was really informative. I love the monogram print but I only have ebene bags because I live in Seattle. There's always a chance of rain here! It's good to know that rain drops don't always ruin a bag if you're careful. Thanks for the video Minnie! Love watching your channel. :)

Thank you for the video. I just purchased a Neverfull GM and the beautiful Turenne MM and I think I will buy some Lovin my Bags. I got caught in the rain with the Turenne and almost had a heart attack....thank goodness I had a large canvas bag...I put her in there, safe and sound. Thanks. Love your videos

Oh Minnie! Amazing video yet again! I love your handbag files!!! Definitely super helpful!

I love your videos! They always make me smile 😊

Thank you for the informative video! Love all your videos and your beautiful bags!

I love how you genuinely help your viewers instead of hiding it like some ppl do 😒 I love ur content

New subscriber - you explain it very clearly, complete explanation, very informative. Good teacher!! You don't waste my time. Thank you.

thank you for all the great tips! i'm going to purchase a never full very soon, and it will be my first LV. i've been going back and forth between damier eben and monogram prints but i think you've convinced me to go with the monogram!

I have been hoarding my new Turenne MM because I love the fresh vachetta (I bought mine end of March and it was made that month!), but for the last few days, I've been wanting to wear it again. Thanks to your encouraging words in this video, I am breaking it out today and will be rocking it all summer!

Very informational...Thank you! I agree with everything you said. I do not understand why anyone would risk using ANYTHING on their LV. I believe LV made these bags to age gracefully and will have less issues just letting them be.

Minnie, such a good topic. I have learned the hard way using magic eraser and baby wipes and it harmed by bags. I just let them patina in the sunlight and it comes out beautiful. I agree, I have stopped using anything and just let my bags do what they are meant to do. Have a great week:)

I totally agree with you I don't treat my vachetta bags with any chemical. Everything should age naturally. But FYI my friend used the coach cleaner to clean her LV vachetta . I did use coach cleaner and conditioner for my other bags like coach and Burberry and DB and my Gucci belts and shoes. It works very well and make my leather goods shiny and minimize scratches. I never use on LV, like you i want it patina naturally and there is something special on the stains look, like vintage. But don't exaggerate to misuse or abuse the precious bag. I take good care of all my stuffs.. very good information of your video ❣️💕

thank you soo much for this amazing video..I've been wanting a speedy azur..hubby's been telling me oh wait wait wait!I'm hope he secretly has bought me one for today is our 20th anniversary! 💖 and i want a gorgeous patina ..so this video came in a perfect time..ps..I'll keep you posted ..thanks minnie

I have been pretreating my vachetta with mink oil and then Black Rocks Leather N Rich conditioner. I think this helps protect against future water damage, but then again, it doesn't rain too often here in Phoenix. I haven't tried the Lovin' My Bags vachetta products yet, but love their bag candies ( they smell so good!) and would be open to trying them in the future. But I will continue using the products that I already have for now. Thanks for the great videos!

Great video thanks! I'm new to your chanel really enjoying your videos I purchased my first LV a neverfull snd and when I got it I was too excited to use it can't explain the feeling I left it on display in my bedroom for about a week before I actually wore it out didn't know then but glad i did that because I would love it to have a beautiful patina💖💖

I used a hairdryer after getting one my my LVs wet and it took the water spot out! Worked perfectly.

Screaming THANK YOU!!! I made so many mistakes and am terribly unhappy with my Gailleria MM!!! Won't do it with my next bag thanks to you!!!

Omg I love this video! I just purchased a Neverfull Gm & was very apprehensive about the Vachetta & the whole patina process. I don't want my bag turning into a nasty dark uneven patina. But I'm definitely going to use your tips. Thanks 😉

Fantastic information. Thanks Minnie for your great videos.

Thanks for all of the information on patina. Very helpful.

Thank you so much for making this video. I have all DE bags because I'm scared of the patina! Your bags all look so beautiful. My next purchase is a mon mono speedy so I need to accept the patina! Thanks again.

Thanks for the information! I have bought Damier Ebene exclusively for years now. In the last year I have fallen in love with monogram and acquired four peices. I'm so nervous about the vachetta and have been watching so many videos and everyone has been saying the same thing. I wanted to say thank you for voicing and having your own opinion. All the information has been really helpful/insightful to me.

Olive oil will rot the leather over time since it's a food product

Such a great video Minnie and l have had the exact experience as you with being caught in the rain and like you have no stains at all,Xoxoxo.

Thanks so much for this informative video. Now I know what to do with my new Stresa. Although it is preloved it has not started to patina very much. I also have a brand new Speedy I haven't used yet. I will try out your SA's tips on that too. Have a blessed day.

Thank you so much for the information, very helpful. Love your videos.

Yes, I love the natural way too!

Your videos always on point!

You have a nice wall of bags. Awesome!

Thanks for the video, what I personally use is Moneysworth & Best Pro-Tex Water & Stain Repellent(non-silicone base) on ALL my vachetta leather and ALL my handbags. I treat all my bags and SLGs before I use my handbags. For the vachetta, once I treat it, I let the vachetta age naturally. I don't have to worry about staining etc. Then occasionally I would use leather cleaner to clean the grime and dirt. I don't baby my bags. I definitely don't use "Lovin my bags", "apple guard', baby wipes, I only use Pro-Tex water repellent.

I’d recommend the small for the Pochette. Mine is a medium. It fits my Alma pm, Audra, Neo, multicolor petit Noe. My speedy 30 multicolor Blanc. If you like a lot of overage the medium would fit your bag also.

Thank you. This was very informative 😊

Great video! Thanks! I only owned a speedy azur. And the handles are great still after 7 years and no babying or products. I have a neverfull azur now and a little nervous about the tote handles but this video helped. For patina, I prefer the natural overtime process I think it tells more of a "story" 😁

Just got a vachetta strap to crossbody two of my monogram bags and I think I'm just going to give it a quick "base tan" to get it slightly closer to my other two pieces - which are old, but still light from being mostly stored, and then just forget it. The point of bringing these bags back out was to not to overuse / take my empreinte out in the rain! Might try the method of just using a soft cloth with water to go over everything if they get rained on and to try to lift any discolorations (my papillon has some slight color change from rubbing against my black clothes), but leave it at that.

Great info as always 👍🏾

Great video!!! 👜 have a blessed day 😊

Such a helpful video. Great info.

When I was younger I had white leather sneakers and I used to clean them with oil-based makeup remover. It worked wonders and moisturized the leather so it didn't crack. It kept them white for years. Now I clean my leather with baby wipes and coconut oil. It makes the leather very shiny. On more absorbing or matte leathers it might leave stains, though, so don't take my word for it

Great tips as always . thank you😘

Thank you so much for the great information!

Another great video!!! 😜😘

Thanks for sharing! I wish this video was made 5 yrs ago. I used baby wipes to clean my leather on my crossbody bag cuz of the denim color transfer on the inner side of the bag that rests by my hip. Not good. Stains still there n lost the sheen of the leather. It's the LV Saumar 30 crossbody bag. Luckily that side is never seen cuz it's against my hip. Have a fab day! 😘😘

I just purchased a Mono Speedy 30 from YC great deal and though it was very dirty I used the Eraser and it did remove lots of dirt but now the sheen is gone=( I added conditioner but made it darker so I cleaned it again. I see the dullness but it does look better. So now just waiting for my oils on hands to do the rest and bring back the glow. ***Personally I wouldn't use it on my new handbags. I did use baby wipes on my 2 yr old Speedy to clean handles very lightly and didn't darken it just evened out patina. Thanks again Minnie for the info.

I ditto you on not using the Mr. Clean magic eraser. I used it on a speedy 30 that I purchased from fashionphile and I did a video regarding the damage that it caused to my bag. Thanks for sharing!

Love your video!

So what she’s saying is, for newer bags that still do have that sheen - using a baby wipe (alcohol free ofc) can take that sheen away. But I personally know for pre loves & vintage pieces that no longer have any sheen baby wipes are 👌🏾👌🏾 for getting rid of the darkness. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Hi Minn..😊 thank you so much... your so nice..👍👍👍

Great vid

thank you for this informative video😊

Great Advice✨👌🏾

I work for Louis Vuitton. Sun exposure will dry & cause cracks over time & is not good for your bag. Also, a good leather conditioner is good for keeping dryness, cracks & damage at bay.

Oh my..you are soooo funny! 🤣

i use a regular white eraser from staples to erase marks from my speedy handles. i do it super gentle so the friction does not damage the leather

Great video! I wish I saw this video before because I got a water stain from a random down pour on my favorite pm in monogram and I dabbed my thumb on the stain :( ughhh!

is there any way...I can treat the cracks I have on the handles of my louis Vouitton bag..

Leaving the bag in the sun is not good, especially with Monogram canvas....it can crack the canvas and fade the print.....

Hi! I will be purchasing the Neverfull in monogram soon! Do you still have a positive opinion about Apple Guard?

Magic erasers are more like sponges than sandpaper. Magic erasers work wonders on color transfer on canvas, but I would never use it on vachetta.

great tips thanks x

Just simply leave the vachetta leather alone.....keep it away from water and let it do its thing.

thanks for the info.

Another informative video. I took your advice & left my bag out for a couple days before using it. I got it just before Mother's day & it already has the most beautiful Patina! I am obsessed with it! (Never full MM, mono)

I let my bags naturally - like my face. :-) xoxo Wendy

Hello, I have a question about the leather straps on my LV monogram ellipse backpack. I purchased a total of 3 brand new (when I like something, I stick with it) back in 2000 and basically destroyed the first one through tremendous use........ I am on to my second one now finally and it is still fairly light in color. I usually only sling one strap over my shoulder and have noticed that that one strap I use is getting a lot darker and dirtier (I wear a lot of tank tops so it is body oils mixed with sweat (YUCK!) here in hot Florida. 1.) How can I lighten up the one strap i have already darkened somewhat and 2.) What can I put onto the leather to keep my body oils/sweat from re-darkening that one strap (assuming I can lighten it hopefully?!) Thanks so much- I love your knowledge and that you are so nice to share it :)

Just a suggestion. I'm not sure what kind of camera you're using but if needs to be lowered or something. You're as such a weird angle. It's. It very flattering for your pretty face. It needs to be more eye level. Great content!

I also put my new LOUIE'S by the window for a week before I use them for the first time. Thanks for the tips Minnie!✌❤🌼

@minks4all i just got a speedy b25 in mono but one side of leather is wrinkly almost look cracky. Is that normal. Should i exchange it for another or the wrnkling is gona happen?

the diff is the water.. rain that's acidic, water with a lot of minerals... hard vs soft water... will make the diff if it will stain or not

Apple Garde doesn't help with patina the vetcheta all, it does help not getting Stain from rain for sure. Thank you for sharing!

I did mine with olive oil and it’s a pretty honey color

I’m wanting to get a keep all 55 inch on the black plaid, so they actually patina like the other colours?

What would be the best way to clean the material inside my neverful ? Mine is SO dirty !

I love your neverfull monogram what preloaded trusting sites can you find one at I love to purchase one

Hello I just love your videos especially the louis Vuitton reviews and the Louis Vuitton Toiletry Pouch 26 Review, i was looking on getting the Cosmetic pouch in the multicolour then i came a cross the toiletry from one of your videos and I'm in love with it, 26 too big for me in my option but i need it for an everyday makeup bag so i was thinking to get it in the 19, what do you suggest me getting the toiletry 19 or the cosmetic pouch ? ( i feel most of my make up pallets are bit big )!? also want to ask about the patina , i know your video states everything and might answer my question, i know you dont treat the vachetta other then water stains , i was just wondering like i not keen on the vachetta leather but I'm going off the damier print so i was just wondering even if you dont clean/treat the vachette and let the patina naturally will it in the end turn black as i seen most lv speedy monogram print vachette handles? or is does it turn black by being treated/clean or does turn by leaving it to patina naturally? I just wanted to ask for your advice as you have the Monogram print bags with vachette leather! i would like your option/advice and i know that every person with this bag has different outcomes!! Im so glad that i came across your youtube channel , you always put a smile on my face! Thank you so much for taking time on reading this! Wish you are well Kae

Hi Minnie, have you ever seen where patches of the azur canvas turns yellow - do you know what causes that, how to prevent it/remove it? appreciate your reply, thank you! :)

OMG i used baby wipes to clean the vachetta..tom i will place my speedy n palermo under the sun😊

i have no idea if i should use Apple Garde or just leave it naked? I have only one small patch on my mini pochette assescoires. I have left it out in my home office for the past week outside of its dustbag. I have read to wipe it down with water wipes, do apple garde (which I bought and haven't done), etc. I am still really torn on what to do

I have a a pen mark on my inside leather stamp. Do you have a solution for that?

Hi there- I bought a pre owned bag and the straps are darker than the trim in the rim of the bag. How do I darken just the rim?

I've had a number of Speedy's and I had one my heritage speedy 30 that honeyed so Gorgeously, and I sold that back and I haven't been able to get my other bags to look the same. Do you think even if they're all from France that the vachetta leather is always the same?

Cleaned up a pre loved Noe GM with magic eraser and loving my bags but applied a lot of conditioner afterwards. It still has beautiful smoothness and shine but it was a vintage piece already before I cleaned it. Definitely need to use conditioner as cleaners strip the moisture. ✨☺️

Hi Minn, I have a question about my Speedy. I took it in because the red varnishing on one of the handles was cracking and peeling. The manager is SUPER nice to me and he said they would fix. They ended up replacing both handles. So my 2 year old old bag that has a very light golden patina, now has these super virgin Vachetta handles. It looks so weird, I am a little embarrassed to use it. What could you recommend to darken my handles without darkening the chaps, piping and tab, and zipper pull? I was thinking of maybe wrapping the bag in the dust bag and only exposing the handles and letting it sit in the sun? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks mucho

great video! ! I have a question. .how do you usually polish your padlock? my daughter has a speedy whose padlock is oxidatiasing. .I wonder if you have any suggestions for cleaning. .have a blessed day! !

Blow dryer works if you can get to one immediately if a bit of water gets on new vachetta and the blot and not rub work .I agree those magic erasers will ruin the leather.Tried it on a spot and it made it rough and dull,also Loving My Bags is great if it gets really dirty,used it on my daughters who almost ruined her Delightful,but was able to restore it nicely .

I enjoy all your videos 😇

Can you do a leather care for Chanel ? Kinda like this but all Chanel? Thanks Minnie !!!!

I love your watch where did you get it ? What is the brand?

This video couldn't come at a better time. Very helpful. I've been watching so much videos on patina lately. Lol I do agree I like it when my bags patina naturally. Can't wait until my bags are that beautiful honey color. I also wanted to ask you when your bags starts to patina/the honey color is okay to take it out when it's raining? Will it still get water stains? Sorry that might be a stupid question but I never take my bags out when it's raining because I don't want water stains. 😀

Does anyone know if leather honey helps to polish/protect the vachetta?

Hi, I love watching your channel. Hope you can help me with my bag. I recently purchased my first luxury handbag Pochette Metis which is less than a month old and I made a blunder mistake of wiping the water stains on the Vachetta leather handle with a wet cloth. The handle is darkened after that with a honey color. Can you help me by suggesting any product to lighten the patina as I prefer the light pink color and want my bag to look even and new. Your response would really be appreciated. Hope you can help me with my bag.

Thank you! ^_^

What do you recommend for conditioning LV leather overtime to prevent cracking? I have 3 preloved LV's and want to try to keep them looking "youthful" as long as I can!