Hello.
This is Konishi, in charge of Sundays.
The other day, a customer who came to us for a bag repair said, "There's something like green mold around the metal fittings. What should I do?"
Upon checking, we found that it was not mold but a type of rust called verdigris, so today we will provide a brief explanation of verdigris and how to prevent and care for it.
What is verdigris ?
A type of rust that occurs when metals such as the body or brass react with moisture and salt in the air.
The green area around the round brass fitting in the image is verdigris.
Many of Munekawa's items use brass fittings with a nice texture, but depending on how they are used and stored, verdigris may appear on them. In that case, please try the following.
[Care instructions]
1) Remove the verdigris with a cotton swab or a scrap of cloth (such as an old T-shirt).
It will come off with just a little pressure, so be sure to remove it without rubbing too hard.
② Use a special cream or metal cloth to polish and remove the verdigris from the surface of the metal fittings.
3. Wipe off any cream or other residue.
*Please rest assured that verdigris is not harmful even if it comes into contact with your skin.
This method will easily remove verdigris, but once it has appeared, it may recur, so we recommend that you carry out maintenance as much as possible on a regular basis, including preventive measures.
[Preventive measures]
After use, wipe off any sweat or oil with cotton fabric or a cloth. When storing, keep in a well-ventilated, low-humidity place.
When you hear the word "rust," it sounds like an unpleasant thing, but the verdigris forms a film on the surface that prevents internal corrosion and also has antibacterial properties.
Brass goes very well with leather and is a popular metal fitting material among people who like leather products.
Both of these materials change in texture over time, and one of their charms is that the color deepens the longer you use them.
With regular maintenance, you can enjoy your favorite items for a long time.
