Tool & Knife Bag Care 101
When we first started making tool bags, we really designed them to last a lifetime. A bag sure to survive everything a chef, craftsman, or artist can throw at it. In fact, we still get messages from those first customers talking about how beautiful their bags still are even after more than a decade of wear and tear!
The key to keeping your bag looking incredible overtime? Proper upkeep! Giving your canvas bag a good washing or buffing a little leather conditioner onto your knife roll can mean all the difference. So we’re going to take you through some easy ways of keeping our bags looking top-notch year after year.
How To Clean
Start by emptying all tools and items from the bags. If your bag has a strap, go ahead and remove that for now, we’ll go over strap cleaning down in the Detailing section.
Now, this part might surprise you, but throw your knife bag in the washing machine! Always wash alone on a cold cycle with mild detergent. That’s right, it really is that easy, these bags are made for busy people who don’t have time for handwashing. Note – Seriously, no hot water! It can badly damage the leather and no one wants that.
Once your knife bag comes out of the wash, hang or lay flat to dry. Allow to dry out completely before re-filling and get back to business.
If you want to go the extra mile, use a clean cloth and leather conditioner to carefully condition the trim, pockets, and accents. Avoid soaking the canvas with leather conditioner as it can cause discoloring.
Tips: For really heavy-duty stains, scrub the spot gently with a diluted soapy water mixture and soft scrub brush or old toothbrush before washing. Ideally, 1 cup warm water to ½ teaspoon of dish soap or mild detergent. To lift oil stains, mix equal parts baking soda and water into a slurry mixture and apply liberally to spot. Allow the mixture to dry completely, brush away and wash normally.
Leather Tool and Knife Bags
Start by emptying all tools and items from the bags. If your bag has a strap, go ahead and remove that for now, we’ll go over strap cleaning down in the Detailing section.
If your bag is in serious need of a good cleaning, like with visible dirt or grime, use a clean cloth and leather cleaning solution to gentle buff all the leather surfaces. Follow any additional directions from the leather cleaner.
Once your bag has been fully tidied up, use a clean cloth and leather conditioner to give your bag its soft and supple feel back.
Allow the bag to fully absorb the conditioner before repacking. We suggest leaving it air dry overnight, but this depends on the conditioner’s instructions.
Detailing
Canvas Strap
Just like with canvas knife bags, these straps are machine washable but require one extra step. Go ahead and place the canvas strap into a mesh laundry bag before tossing in the wash with your knife bag. This helps avoid excessive twisting or even knotting your strap. Once washed, hang and allow to air.
Leather Strap
The best part apart leather is that it looks even better as it ages and the leather straps are no exception. If you think your strap needs a little extra love, follow the same cleaning and conditioning instructions as the leather knife bag. Use a clean cloth and leather conditioning solutions to give your leather a soft, supple feel for years to come.
Brass Buckles and Accents
All brass elements on our bags are made to stay polished even after years, but sometimes even our shiny brass needs a little love too. Tarnishing is rare, but depending on the bag’s environment, like in a hot humid climate, it can happen.
When it does, use a specialized brass cleaner, polishing product, or even just lemon juice to give these elements their shine back. Use a cotton ball or Q-tip to polish these details, taking care to avoid soaking the leather or canvas. Wipe away excess to avoid discoloring the bag material.
Protective Solutions
If you just bought your self a fresh new canvas tool bag, use a protective spray solution or beeswax to defend against stains, fading, and improve moisture resistance.
Common FAQs
If I Have A Knife Bag, Should I Even Use Knife Guards?
The answer is YES! We strongly suggest using saya or knife guards on all your tools even while stored in our knife bags. While our bags can withstand a lot, this greatly helps prevent the knives from puncturing, tearing, or slicing the bag. We believe that your knives and knife roll are the tools of your trade, so protect them any way you can.
How Often Should I Clean My Bag?
This completely depends on use, environment, and personal preference. We suggest cleaning your bag every 3-4 months, but sooner if there is visible dirt, grime, and other kitchen gunk.
Can I Use A Stain Remover On the Canvas?
We don’t suggest using heavy-duty stain removers on the woven canvas, it can sometimes discolor our lighter fabrics. For any major stains, simply scrub with a soap and water mixture before following the above Canvas Bag cleaning instructions.
We understand how precious your kit can be, so we’re always here to help you take the best care of it. For any more questions or cleaning tips, reach out to us at info@boldric.com.