Now that you've won that PERFECT bag, it's time to make sure it stays looking GREAT for a long time to come!  This guide will give guidance on how to properly clean and polish the fine leathers and metals found on many of the designer hand bags offered on Ebay, using products that are easy to find and "user friendly".  I have learned these "tricks of the trade" (so to speak) by spending years caring for some of the finest harnesses made (for horses), by some of the leading harness makers (such as the makers of the Budweiser harnesses).  So, let's get started!

First, it's important to know what kind of leather you're dealing with.  Is it suede, smooth, or patent?  Often, the "moc croc" (faux crocodile hide) referred to in Brighton listings is a type of patent leather.  Once you've determined what kind of leather you have (and you may have several different kinds on one particular bag) it's time to start cleaning!  For suede, it's probably in your best interest to consult a professional leather cleaner, as suede is a VERY delicate leather, and easily ruined.  My guide will concentrate mostly on smooth and patent leather. 

For the smooth leather portion of your bag, a good cleaning with Murphy's Oil Soap will do the trick.  This is the same Murphy's Oil Soap used on hardwood floors.  This being the age of the Swiffer, I'm sure that there exists "wipes" or sprays, but I recommend the traditional gel-type liquid formula, resembling amber dishwashing soap in consistency.  You will probably only need a small bottle, because you will only use a small amount per bag (unless you're a confirmed handbag addict, like me, and then you'll have LOTS of bags to clean!)  At any rate, the stuff doesn't dry up or go bad, and it's relatively inexpensive, so I usually get the 32 oz. bottle.   You will be able to find this soap in the household cleaner aisle of any major grocery store or similar establishment. 

Next, you will need a sponge.  Strangely enough, this is more important than you may think.  The traditional "kitchen" type sponges are not, in my opinion, the best way to go.  First of all, they tend to hold too much water, and water is the enemy as far as leather is concerned.  Second, they tend to crumble and leave annoying little bits of sponge stuck all over your bag!  I prefer to buy the big sponges offered in the automotive section and cut them into smaller sizes.  Or, for you horsemen out there, buy the small "tack" sponges offered at saddle shops. 

Once you have your Murphy's Oil soap and sponge, you can start cleaning the smooth leather portion of your bag.  Begin by moistening your sponge and wringing almost ALL of the water out.  THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!  Leaving too much water will cause the soap to be too "sudsy" (leaving a residue) and the excess water may damage your leather.  Put a very small amount of oil soap on your sponge (I usually press the sponge over the opening of the bottle, invert the bottle, and return it upright, leaving a small amount of soap the same diameter of the bottle's mouth on the sponge) and rub it into the bag.  You DO NOT need it to "suds" up like dish soap!  Moisten the sponge and add soap as needed to do the whole bag.  If you do wind up with too many suds, simply rinse out your sponge and wipe the bag with a sponge moistened with plain water (if you bought a big auto sponge and cut it up, you can keep one section for soap and one for plain water, although it's not absolutely necessary to have separate sponges). 

Now that this is done, you may not need to go any farther, depending on the condition of your leather.  Damaged or scuffed leather will probably need more attention, however.  If you have a bag with damaged places, it may be possible to help out it's appearance by using shoe polish.  Once the leather is cleaned, rub a small amount of coordinating shoe polish into the damaged area and buff completely.  Keep in mind that shoe polish may rub off on clothing, so proceed carefully, and be thorough with your buffing!

The patent leather portion of the bag may also be cleaned with the oil soap, but this alone will not restore its high shine.  The best product, by far, for making the "moc croc" shine on Brighton bags is good old-fashioned Pledge furniture polish.  Spray it onto a soft cloth and wipe down the patent areas of your bag.  Use a soft dry cloth to buff to a high shine, and repeat as needed.  This is GREAT for removing the finger smudges and such that dull the patent on flaps and handles of handbags. 

For the silver and brass hardware, I recommend a quality metal polish, preferably in a paste form (because it's easier to control).  Be sure that if you get any on the leather that you wipe it off with a slightly damp cloth before it drys, because it will discolor the leather.  I do NOT like  Brasso, or similar products such as Tarnex, etc. as they tend to run and they are extremely harmful to leather products.  My favorites are Semi-Chrome, MAAS, and Peek.  Peek is my absolute favorite, as it is the easiest on your hands and your bag, but it may be hard to find. Semi-Chrome and MAAS should be available at grocery stores or home improvement stores. 

There is a "trick" to cleaning metal.  You need to use your fingers!  Put a small amount of polish on your fingers and massage it into the metal.  The polish will probably start to turn black--this means it's working!  Polish with a soft cloth IMMEDIATELY after rubbing in the polish.  DO NOT let the polish dry on the metal.  This will make it hard to get off and cause it to leave a "haze".  This is why you should do one piece of metal at a time.  To keep your fingers from turning black too, rub a thick lotion into your hands before starting (I like cocoa butter) or wear latex gloves.  The lotion keeps the polish from staining your skin. 

This is a complete guide to cleaning and caring for your new leather handbag.  Happy bidding!