Cora + Spink bags are made to be used. Taken to work, thrown in the car, carried on trains, caught in the rain, taken on holiday and generally brought along for whatever you’ve got planned.

And, naturally, all of that living leaves its mark.

Tim often says our bags are a bit like a really good pair of jeans. They soften, fade and develop their own character the more you use them. No two well-loved Cora + Spink bags will age in quite the same way and that’s exactly the point.

But every now and then, yours might need a little looking after. Here’s how.

A little dirt is no bad thing

First things first: don’t panic about every mark.

Your bag isn’t supposed to stay looking box-fresh forever. Just like your favourite pair of jeans, the canvas gets better the more it becomes yours.

A little fading here, a crease there, the odd mark from somewhere you’ve been…it’s all part of the story.

Don’t be scared of colour

We know it can be tempting to play it safe when choosing a bag. Something that “won’t show the dirt.”

But where’s the fun in that?

Some of our favourite bags are the brighter ones. Yellow, Baby Banana, Orange…colours that might make you wonder how on earth you’re going to keep them looking pristine.

The answer is: you don’t have to.

A bright canvas bag is allowed to age too. It will soften, fade and pick up the signs of being used, just like the darker colours do. And if it gets properly grubby? You can clean it.

So if yellow is the colour you really want, buy the yellow. Don’t let the thought of a future muddy mark talk you into the sensible option.

Bags are for carrying things. Colour is for enjoying.

Whatever you do, don’t scrub

Tempting as it may be when you spot a mark, avoid vigorously scrubbing one area of the canvas. This can cause localised fading and colour loss, potentially leaving one noticeably lighter patch.

Instead, soak the whole bag in warm water with a small amount of mild detergent and give it about 30 minutes to lift the dirt naturally.

Once clean, rinse thoroughly to make sure all of the detergent has been removed.

Can I put my Cora + Spink bag in the washing machine?

You can, although we’d always recommend the gentler approach above where possible.

If the washing machine is required, pop your bag inside a delicates bag or pillowcase first. Choose a gentle cycle and use cold or warm water with a small amount of mild detergent.

Nothing too aggressive. Your bag has places to be.

Let it dry naturally

Once washed, gently reshape your bag while it’s still damp and smooth out any obvious creases.

Then hang it up and leave it to air dry naturally.

Avoid tumble drying or trying to speed things up with direct heat. A little patience will help the canvas keep its shape.

Fading is part of the plan

This one is important.

Our canvas is designed to evolve over time. Its colour will gradually change, the fabric will soften and areas that see the most action may begin to look a little different from those that don’t.

Back to those jeans again: think about a brand-new pair compared with the pair you’ve worn hundreds of times. The latter probably has far more character.

We think bags should be allowed to do the same.

Can I re-wax my Cora + Spink bag?

Yes. As your bag gets older, you can give the canvas a little refresh by re-waxing it.

Re-waxing can help restore some of the fabric’s weather resistance and breathe a little new life into a bag that’s already travelled a fair few miles with you.

It may deepen or slightly alter the colour of the canvas, so make sure your bag is completely clean and dry and always test the wax on a small, inconspicuous area first.

If you’re unsure about re-waxing or which product to use, get in touch with us first. We’re always happy to point you in the right direction.

The best ones are the ones that have been used

Ultimately, a Cora + Spink bag isn’t something you need to keep pristine.

Use it. Take it places. Let it soften. Let the colour change. Clean it when it needs it and give it a little care every now and then.

Like a really good pair of jeans, we think it should look even better once it’s lived a little.

Here’s to many more journeys together.