MATERIALS & CARE
Materials & Care
Different materials need different care. This guide explains how common fashion materials such as leather, suede, fabric, metal hardware, watch straps and synthetic finishes should be handled, cleaned and stored.
MATERIAL CARE BASICS
Material care starts with knowing what not to do.
Bags, shoes, watches and accessories may include leather, suede, canvas, coated fabric, plated hardware, metal, rubber, synthetic materials and decorative finishes. Each material can react differently to water, heat, sunlight, friction, perfume, cosmetics and cleaning products.
This guide provides general care advice only. It is not a replacement for product-specific care labels, packaging notes or professional cleaning advice. If a product has its own care instructions, those instructions should be followed first.
When in doubt, avoid aggressive cleaning and contact Midu support or a qualified care professional before attempting treatment at home.
Check the material
Before cleaning or storing an item, review the product description, care label or packaging notes where available.
Use gentle methods
Start with the least aggressive method, such as a soft dry cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners unless clearly suitable.
Store with care
Keep items dry, away from direct sunlight, strong heat, moisture and pressure that may affect shape or finish.
LEATHER
Leather needs protection from water, heat and harsh cleaning.
Leather is a natural or treated material that can change with use. It may develop creases, marks, softening or colour variation over time. These changes can be part of normal wear depending on the material and finish.
To care for leather, avoid soaking it in water, exposing it to direct sunlight for long periods or placing it near heaters. For light surface care, use a clean, soft, dry cloth. Do not scrub aggressively.
Leather conditioners, creams or sprays should only be used if they are suitable for the specific finish. Always test carefully in a hidden area where appropriate.
Leather care notes
- Keep away from heavy moisture and direct heat
- Wipe gently with a soft dry cloth
- Avoid alcohol-heavy cleaners and bleach
- Do not rub stains aggressively
- Store in a breathable dust bag where suitable
- Use professional cleaning for serious stains
SUEDE & NUBUCK
Suede and nubuck are delicate and sensitive to water.
Suede and nubuck have a soft textured surface that can be easily marked by water, oil, dirt and friction. These materials require more careful handling than smooth leather.
Avoid wearing suede or nubuck items in heavy rain or wet environments. If the surface becomes dusty, a suitable suede brush may help, but brushing should be gentle and consistent with the material direction.
Liquid cleaners can permanently stain or change the texture. For visible stains or expensive items, professional cleaning is usually safer than home treatment.
Suede care notes
- Avoid water exposure wherever possible
- Keep away from oil, perfume and cosmetics
- Use a suitable suede brush only when appropriate
- Do not use regular leather cream on suede
- Store separately to reduce rubbing
- Seek professional help for stains
Protect from moisture
Water, heat and harsh cleaning can affect leather colour, texture, shape and finish.
Avoid liquid treatment
Suede and nubuck are sensitive to water and stains. Gentle care is important.
Reduce friction
Plated or polished hardware may show scratches or finish changes with regular use.
CANVAS, FABRIC & TEXTILE
Fabric materials can absorb moisture, dust and colour transfer.
Canvas, textile and fabric materials may be more absorbent than smooth leather or coated finishes. They can pick up dust, stains and colour transfer from clothing or other items.
For light dust, use a soft dry cloth or soft brush where suitable. Avoid soaking fabric items unless the care label clearly allows washing. Many fashion bags and shoes should not be machine washed because water, spin cycles and detergent may affect structure, glue, lining, trims or colour.
If fabric becomes stained, avoid rubbing the stain aggressively, as this may spread the mark or damage the fibres.
Fabric care notes
- Keep away from heavy rain and damp storage
- Avoid machine washing unless clearly allowed
- Brush or wipe gently for light dust
- Protect light colours from colour transfer
- Do not use bleach or strong stain removers
- Allow items to air naturally if lightly damp
COATED & SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
Coated finishes need gentle handling to avoid cracking or peeling.
Some fashion items use coated materials, synthetic leather, rubberised finishes or special surface treatments. These finishes can be sensitive to heat, friction, sharp objects and chemical cleaners.
Avoid folding coated items tightly for long periods, placing them near heat sources or rubbing them against rough surfaces. Strong cleaners, alcohol, oils and solvents may damage the surface.
For general care, wipe gently with a soft dry or slightly damp cloth only where appropriate, then allow the item to air dry naturally.
Coated material care
- Avoid high heat and direct sunlight
- Do not fold tightly during storage
- Keep away from sharp or rough surfaces
- Avoid solvents, oils and alcohol cleaners
- Wipe gently without heavy pressure
- Store with enough space to protect the finish
HARDWARE & METAL DETAILS
Metal details can naturally show marks with use.
Bags, shoes, watches and accessories may include zips, buckles, clasps, chains, decorative plates, watch cases or other metal hardware. These parts may be polished, plated, painted or coated depending on the product.
Metal hardware can show scratches, fading, discolouration or finish changes over time, especially when exposed to friction, moisture, perfume, sweat or chemicals.
To reduce wear, avoid rubbing metal parts against rough surfaces and keep them away from cosmetics, perfume and cleaning products. Wipe gently with a soft dry cloth after use.
Use smoothly
Do not force zips when fabric or lining is caught. Forcing hardware may damage teeth, pulls or stitching.
Avoid pressure
Buckles and clasps may bend or scratch if pressed under heavy objects or stored tightly.
Keep away from chemicals
Perfume, sweat, lotions and cleaners may affect plated or coated finishes over time.
WATCH STRAPS
Watch straps need different care depending on the material.
Watch straps may be made from leather, metal, fabric, rubber or synthetic materials. Each strap type has different care needs and may react differently to moisture, sweat, perfume and daily wear.
Leather straps should be kept away from water and heavy sweat where possible. Metal straps can be wiped gently with a dry cloth. Fabric and rubber straps may require different cleaning methods depending on the product instructions.
Avoid spraying perfume or applying lotion directly near watch straps, as this may affect colour, texture or finish.
Watch strap care
- Keep leather straps away from water
- Wipe metal straps gently after use
- Avoid perfume and cosmetics near straps
- Do not expose straps to high heat
- Check water resistance before water exposure
- Use professional servicing for internal watch issues
Cool and dry
Most fashion materials last better when stored away from damp rooms, direct sunlight and heat.
Gentle first
Start with soft, dry cleaning methods before using any product-specific cleaner.
Professional help
For stains, deep marks, broken parts or delicate materials, professional help is often safer.
COLOUR TRANSFER
Light-coloured items need extra attention.
Colour transfer can happen when light-coloured bags, shoes or accessories come into contact with dark denim, dyed fabrics, printed materials or other surfaces that release colour.
This can be more visible on white, cream, beige, pastel or lightly finished materials. Once colour transfer happens, it may be difficult or impossible to fully remove without professional care.
To reduce the risk, avoid prolonged rubbing against dark clothing and store light-coloured items separately from coloured materials.
WHEN TO CONTACT SUPPORT
Contact us early if a product arrives with a concern.
If you receive an item with a visible issue, delivery damage or a concern that appears before use, please contact Midu support as soon as reasonably possible.
Include your order number, checkout email, a clear description and photos or videos showing the issue. This helps us review the case more efficiently.
Damage caused by accidental use, unsuitable cleaning, poor storage, colour transfer, water exposure, normal wear or misuse may be handled differently from a product fault.
Helpful details to send
- Your order number
- The email used at checkout
- Clear photos of the issue
- Photos of packaging if delivery damage occurred
- A short explanation of what happened
- Whether the item has been used or cleaned
CUSTOMER CARE
Need material or product care help?
If you are unsure how to care for a product, or if you have concerns about material, finish, delivery damage or after-sales support, contact Midu before using unsuitable cleaning methods.
