A leather bag is a special, near-universally beloved object, appreciated in equal measure by bon-vivants of both sexes, who cherish the supple hand, understated burnish and heady smell that can only emanate from premium quality skin.

Remember, however, that your Valextra Boston and Mulberry Bayswater aren’t wrought from metal or ceramic. They are organic artefacts, and as lustrous as your new purchases may be, they will, when left to their own devices, become desiccated and dull. That is why maintenance of your leather bags and other small accoutrements is so crucial, if you want to enjoy them for as long as possible. Here’s how, beginning with a glossary of terms you should know if you want to take proper care of your specific leather carrier.

Know Your Skins

• Most leather bags are vegetable-tanned with tannin. Downside: vegetable-tanned leather bags discolor and shrivel when drenched in water.
• Chrome-tanned skins are more water-resistant, and are referred to in trade-speak as “wet blue” for their steel-gray tinge.
• Full-grain is premium-grade hide that has not been buffed, to showcase the skin’s natural “grain” or texture.
• Top-grain: less dear on your wallet, this is thinner and has had its natural grain “corrected’ by sanding away scars.
• Coveted exotics from non-cattle skin and patent leather, with its high gloss achieved by oils and resin, are just two other examples of the other finishes and leather types available on the market today.

How to Clean

• The general principle is simple: remove dirt build-up by wiping down with a cleaner made specifically for the leather in question.
• Remember the hardware. Some bags have precious metal-plated buckles or chains. Always ask the boutique assistant for care recommendations.
• Every other day, give your bag a brisk sweep with a soft dry cloth—this won’t take more than a few minutes, but will go miles towards preserving the appearance of your leather.

How to Condition

• Think of conditioning as moisturizer for your leather, which will dry out over time. To prevent flaking and wrinkling, dab a dollop of conditioner on a soft cloth and rub gently all over.
• Condition every month or so to keep your leather looking its shiny best.

How to Weatherproof

• Leather is permeable and can never be entirely waterproof, so avoid toting your favorite Givenchy Nightingale in bad weather.

How to Store

• Stash your bag in its original dustbag and fill it with stuffing—use butter paper, never newspaper, which will smear— to maintain its shape.
• Keep the dustbagged product in its original box, along with packets of silica gel so your bag doesn’t get damp.
• Air once every two weeks to halt the growth of mold.
• Rotation is key. Everyday use of your bag will wear it out, so switch things up every month.