AUTHENTIC new, gently used, vintage, limited edition and hard to find COACH purses and accessories are right at your fingertips thanks to eBay!  Now that you have purchased your treasure, how do you maintain its beauty for years to come?   Unfortunately, not all authentic COACH items sold on eBay include care instructions, so I have collected many of the care instructions into one convenient location.  Some instructions below are taken directly from care inserts, in the interest of accuracy.  This is meant as reference only and does not guarantee restoration of your product.  When in doubt, take your authentic product to a COACH boutique or call COACH directly. 

eBay guides are limited in the amount of photos allowed, so I have broken this guide down into several parts based on materials used and/or the collections.  Please see my other guides COMING SOON for additional collections and care instructions.

SUEDE COLLECTION

Nubuc Chelsea Turnlock Hobo style #9390

The COACH suede and nubuc care kit:

Due to the natural finish of suede leather, special care should be used.  Many of the authentic COACH suede and nubuc products sold on ebay come with a care kit pictured below.  Typically included in the kit:

1. pink and white cleaning bar
2. a brush
3. instructional insert
4. muslin storage bag (I usually keep mine housed in the storage bag and tucked in the side pocket of my purse)

In the event you don't have the instructions or the care kit, I have included detailed instructions per COACH's guidelines and photos of the types of tools you would need for proper care and maintenance. 

 

       

 

Most common suede and nubuc care issues:

Color Bleeding:

Many of COACH's suede products are richly colored and, while providing a distinctive flair, may transfer onto other fabrics.  Similarly, pigment from other fabrics may also transfer color onto your suede product.   However, a little common sense will prevent most potential color bleed issues.  For instance, avoiding skin oils transfer and avoiding moisture (i.e., wearing your accessory on excessively humid days or in the rain) help prevent or reduce this problem.  Also, try to avoid carrying your suede duffle with your lighter colored fabrics.   Likewise, avoid carrying your pristine cream colored suede tote with your new dark blue denim jacket.

Nubuc & Suede flattening:

Nubuc and suede are susceptible to scuffing or becoming  flattened with wear.  Simply brushing the surface as demonstrated below will give a new life to your handbag or accessory.  In the before picture of the purse, the suede looks uneven and has superficial marks and indentations.  Flattening happens after normal use of these types of materials and is easily touched up.  Take the brush from your COACH suede care kit (or similar tool) and gently brush the suede in the direction of the grain.  The difference a light brushing makes is remarkable.  This is one of my personal bags that looks pristine again after a light brushing.

 

 

END RESULT:

The surface of  Suede and Nubuc leather has no natural protective barriers - hence, they are prone to soiling and staining if not treated with care.  COACH Suede and nubuc care kits minimize spots and stains and to rejuvenate the finish of your suede and nubuc leather product.

• Light staining care:  

1. Make sure the area to be treated is dry.
2. Use the pink side of the cleaning bar. 
3. Gently rub soiled area with a back and forth motion.
4. Use the brush to remove residue and revitalize the nap of the leather. 
   

• More serious stains and marks:
  

1. Lightly wet a corner of the grey side of the cleaning bar with water.
2. Gently rub the soiled area.
3. Allow the treated areas to dry completely. 
4. Brush away residue.
5. Repeat process as necessary.

Storage of your COACH suede or nubuc product:

  

You should always properly store your purse or accessory when not in use - treat your item as the investment that it is!  Proper storage prevents a multitude of ills such as fading from light exposure, dust, and dirt.  Pictures of the standard COACH dust bags are shown above. 

The dark brown storage bags are for larger items like purses.  The smaller white muslin storage bags are designed for smaller items like key chains, small wristlets and wallets.  Complimentary COACH brown dust bags are always included in my eBay handbag listings if they come with the product when I purchase the items.  I do not offer these for separate sale on principle, as I believe they should be included with the transaction whenever possible to properly store and maintain your fabulous new bag.  The smaller white muslin storage bags typically come with all of my small COACH accessories (as specified in individual eBay listings).

Not all AUTHENTIC COACH listings on ebay include the dust bags.  This should not stop you from properly storing your purse or small accessory when it is not in use.  A relatively cheap and accessible alternative solution for storage is to use something like a cotton pillowcase.  Be sure the pillowcase or other storage alternative is free from dyes, etc.

Care of other materials on COACH bags:

Very often suede and nubuc products have leather trim, straps, etc.  COACH is very clear regarding care for other materials on products from their Suede Collection.  COACH does not recommend using leather cleaner or leather moisturizer on the leather trim, straps, etc of your Suede Collection bag. Likewise, if suede or nubuc is combined as trim with other materials in products from other collections (such as the leathers that CAN be treated with moisturizer/cleaner) be very cautious to keep these treatments away from the trim.   If these products come in contact with your suede or nubuc, the results will be possible damage to your handbag or accessory.  

COACH doesn't give specific advice regarding the care of hardware on your Suede Collection product.  However,  if you MUST polish the hardware on your Suede Collection item, be sure to use a polishing paste as its application is easier to control.

Additional Information:

Please check back often as I will be creating more guides regarding COACH product care, collections and authenticity.  If you would like to be notified when I add a new Guide or Review, please click the following link to sign up for my eBay newsletter called Authentic COACH products newsletter  Further, if there is anything you would like to see in a future guide, feel free to contact me through any of the contact seller links in my lauras*luxuries eBay listings .

As mentioned already, when in doubt about the care of your product, you can always contact COACH directly. 

COACH Customer Service
One Coach Way
Jacksonville, FL  32218-7941
904.741.3090

COACH Toll Free Customer Service:  888.262.6224