Louis Vuitton Vachetta Leather Care Kit V7 Plus

Louis Vuitton Vachetta Leather Care Kit V7 Plus by Leather Doctor restores Vachetta darken handles to all Louis Vuitton Keepalls, Speedy, Alma, Noé, Neverfull, etc.

Vachetta is a type of high-quality, vegetable-tanned leather known for its natural, untreated finish.

Here’s a breakdown of what makes it special:

Origin & Tanning:

• It gets its distinctive brownish tones from tannins—natural compounds found in tree bark and other plant matter used in vegetable tanning.
• The exact shade can vary depending on the tanning formula and the original color of the hide.

Finishing:

• Vachetta is left unfinished or "naked", meaning it has no protective coating.
• This gives it a soft, luxurious look and feel, but also makes it highly absorbent and vulnerable to staining from water, oils, sweat, and other substances.

pH Sensitivity:

• It's more sensitive to pH changes than other leathers.
• Alkaline substances—like sweat, saddle soap, dish soap, baking soda or common cleaners—can darken and weaken the leather, making it brittle over time and prone to cracking, especially when flexed.

Aging:

• Exposure to sunlight causes Vachetta to darken or tan, much like human skin.
• Unlike aniline-dyed leather (which fade).

Kit V7 Plus concentrates require 1075g (1.2 Quarts) to be mixed and filled before use to these selected leather-safe products: 

Leather Prep Cleaner 4.4

Prep 4.4 is a specialized pH 4.4 solution designed for deep cleaning heavily soiled, pH-sensitive Vachetta.

This advanced formula effectively removes accumulated dirt, silicone shine, sticky residues, and greasy stains while ensuring a safe and effective cleaning process.

Prep Cleaning Solution for pH-Sensitive Leather.

Key Benefits:

• Prep cleans heavily soiled leather
• Removes accumulated dirt, grease, and sticky residues
• Eliminates silicone shine for a natural finish
• Safe for pH-sensitive materials

Leather Degreaser 2.2

Degreaser 2.2 is a professional-grade, water-based solution formulated to remove body oils, grease, and sweat from Vachetta. 

Deep-Cleansing, Leather-Safe Degreaser for All Leather Types:

• Professional-grade, water-based formula for removing body oils, grease, and sweat.
• pH value of 2.2 ensures leather-safe performance—prevents dye bleeding and surface damage.
• Penetrates deep to lift embedded grime without drying or weakening the leather.
• Ideal for high-contact areas: handles.
• Safe for all leather types, including pH-sensitive Vachetta.
• Non-solvent, gentle solution—A superior alternative to harsh chemical cleaners without white powdery sticky residue.
• Restores and preserves leather’s natural softness, beauty, and durability.

Vachetta Leather pH Balanced Cleaner 1.2

Vachetta 1.2 is a Specialty Cleaner for Vachetta Leathers to remove the common blotchy browning water stains.

Vachetta 1.2 is a low-pH (1.2) specialty cleaner formulated to balance pH, clean, rectify, and restore vegetable-tanned leathers—especially Vachetta. It is uniquely designed to address common blotchy browning stains caused by sweat, watermarks, and alkaline cleaning products, which are particularly problematic on naked, unfinished leathers.

Vachetta 1.2 works by gently emulsifying general soiling through penetration, lubrication, and suspension, allowing the contaminants to be extracted with a clean towel. It restores leather to a more uniform appearance without harshness.

For deeply penetrated body oil and grease stains, use Degreaser 2.2 first, followed by a towel extraction. Vachetta 1.2 should then be applied to continue cleaning over the degreased area and extend evenly across the panel—ensuring no dry edges.

To prevent leather from drying and cracking after cleaning:

1. Acidifying Rinse with Acidifier 2.0
2. Hydrate with Hydrator 3.3
3. Fat and Oil Recondition with Fatliquor 5.0

Important:

• Maintain a minimum 25% moisture level between each step.
• Allow complete drying only after Fatliquor 5.0 is absorbed.
• Dry fatliquor content should be at 14%—use a leather moisture meter to verify or until it absorbed no more.
• Drying prematurely without enough fat and oil content increases the risk of cracks.

Leather Acidifier 2.0

Acidifier 2.0 is a pH 2.0 acidic rinse designed to control, neutralize, and restore leather’s natural pH balance.

It prevents leather from denaturing, which can lead to bleeding, streaking, tackiness, and structural weakness due to alkaline overexposure.

Leather Cleaner 3.8

Cleaner 3.8 is a leather-safe, pH 3.8 mild cleaner formulated to effectively emulsify and lift general soiling without causing common side effects.

Key Benefits:

✔ Gently Cleans Without Harsh Effects – Maintains leather’s natural integrity
✔ Works Seamlessly with Prep 4.4 – Allows for after cleaning of sticky residue
✔ Prevents Rings & Browning – Ideal for pH-sensitive leathers
✔ Residue-Free with Rinse 3.0 – Restores leather’s pH balance for long-term care

How It Works:

• Cleaner 3.8 is designed to break down and suspend dirt for easy removal while keeping the leather's structure intact.
• When followed by Rinse 3.0, it ensures a neutralized, residue-free finish, preventing unwanted side effects such as stiffness, discoloration, or over-drying.
• This makes it especially beneficial for Vachetta and other delicate leather types.

Leather Rinse 3.0

Rinse 3.0 a pH 3.0 leather-safe rinse formulated to remove suspended soil and restore the pH balance of leather, ensuring its structural integrity and long-term durability.

Key Features & Benefits:

✔ Removes Suspended Soil – Lifts and extracts emulsified soiling for a clean, residue-free finish
✔ Neutralizes Alkaline Residues – Restores pH balance to prevent damage from alkaline overexposure
✔ Prevents Tackiness & Dye Bleeding – Stabilizes the leather structure, reducing unwanted texture changes
✔ Enhances Leather’s Ionic Charge – Recharges the leather with a positive (+ve) charge, improving its ability to bond with negatively (-ve) charged tanning agents, dyestuff, and fatliquor
✔ Preserves Suppleness & Durability – Helps maintain the leather’s softness, preventing stiffness and cracking

Recommended Usage:

1️⃣ Apply Rinse 3.0 – Gently work into leather using a towel to lift and extract soil
2️⃣ Blot Away Residue – Use a clean, absorbent cloth to remove excess moisture
3️⃣ Follow with Hydrator 3.3 & Fatliquor 5.0 (if needed) – For deep relaxation and softening 

This essential finishing rinse ensures leather remains clean, soft, and structurally sound after the cleaning process.

Leather Hydrator 3.3  

Hydrator 3.3 is a pH 3.3 hydrating conditioner designed to relax, soften, and restore leather’s natural integrity while preparing it for fatliquoring.

Key Benefits:

✔ Restores Leather Softness & Flexibility – Relaxes stiff fibers and prevents brittleness
✔ Smooths Out Creases & Wrinkles – Prepares leather for optimal conditioning
✔ Reactivates Dormant Dyestuff – Helps resurface color for a more even appearance
✔ Prepares for Fatliquoring – Enhances absorption of essential oils and fats
✔ Residue-Free & Non-Sticky – Ensures a clean, breathable finish

How It Works:

• Hydrator 3.3 penetrates deep into the leather, reducing surface tension and allowing for colloidal water movement to reactivate dyes and even out color inconsistencies.
• It plumps the leather structure, making it more receptive to fatliquoring with Fatliquor 5.0, which restores essential oils for long-term suppleness and durability.

Hydrator 3.3 is an essential step in rejuvenating aged, dry, or stiff leather, ensuring lasting flexibility, color vibrancy, and overall leather health.

Leather Fatliquor 5.0

Fatliquor 5.0 is a pH 5.0 micro-emulsion of fat, oil, and water conditioner to restore the leather's original softness, strength, and flexibility.

How It Works:

✔ Replenishes Essential Fats & Oils – Prevents leather from drying, stiffening, or cracking
✔ Enhances Leather’s Suppleness & Elasticity – Maintains a soft, luxurious feel
✔ Strengthens Leather Fibers – Improves tensile strength and durability
✔ Creates a Breathable Structure – Ensures leather remains pliable without feeling greasy
✔ Prevents Brittleness & Fiber Breakage – Essential for long-term leather preservation

Application Process:

• When applied, the water-encased fat and oil molecules penetrate deep into the leather fibers.
• As the water gradually evaporates, the fat and oil molecules hydrogen bond with the fibers, creating a breathable, flexible structure that enhances leather’s resilience and longevity.
• Proper fatliquoring ensures that leather retains its tensile strength, resists breakage, and maintains its natural softness, preventing premature aging and deterioration.

Vachetta Leather Redox Treatment 2.8

Vachetta 2.8 is an oxidation-reduction reactor for lightening, browning, suntanning, and water discoloration.

What is Vachetta Leather?

• Vachetta is a vegetable-tanned leather, also known as saddlery, bridle, equestrian, craft, or tooling leather.
• It is commonly used in bags, boots, wallets, and furniture.
• Popularized by brands like Louis Vuitton, Vachetta leather is known for its natural, untreated appearance that develops a patina over time.

Why Does Vachetta Brown Over Time?

• When new, Vachetta leather has a pale biscuit color.
• However, exposure to sunlight and UV light causes the natural vegetable tannins to oxidize.
• Resulting in a suntanned effect, similar to how human skin tans under the sun.

What Causes Water Spotting on Vachetta?

• Vachetta has a lower pH-neutral point (between 3 and 4) than most other leather types.
• When exposed to solutions above pH 7, it reacts like litmus paper, developing water spots due to pH sensitivity.

Preventing and Managing Cracks in Vachetta

• Vachetta leather is more prone to dryness due to its high fat and oil absorption needs.
• If existing cracks are present, it means the leather is already dehydrated.
• Attempting another wet-to-dry conditioning without replenishing fat and oil can further accentuate cracks.
• Fatliquor 5.0 should be applied to restore softness, elasticity and prevent further damage.
• Drying Vachetta from a wet state without sufficient fat and oil content is not recommended.

How to Remove Dark Greasy Stains from Vachetta?

• Darkened, greasy stains, especially in high-contact areas like bag handles, require a thorough degreasing process:

1. Apply Degreaser 2.2 to break down the grease.
2. Rinse with Acidifier 2.0 to restore the leather’s pH balance.
3. Use Brush 1 and Eraser 4 for enhanced frictional removal of greasy soiling.

When to Soften Vachetta Leather?

• Softening Vachetta begins when the leather is still damp from Rinse 3.0 or Acidifier 2.0:

1. Apply Hydrator 3.3 to relax the leather fibers. 
2. Follow with Fatliquor 5.0 to replenish essential fat and oil, restoring softness and flexibility.

Treating Browning Vachetta with Redox Treatment

• Browning in Vachetta requires an oxidation-reduction (Redox) reaction treatment with Vachetta 2.8.
• This should only be performed when the leather is dry.

Leather Scent Protector B Plus 

Protector B Plus, pH 3.2 enhances seating comfort, prevents sticky soiling, and reduces wear with a buttery-feel, while adding a luxurious leather scent.

Key Benefits:

✔ Non-Stick Buttery Shield – Prevents ballpoint ink and dye transfer stains, especially on pastel leathers.
✔ Squeak Reduction – Stops friction noise, ideal for motion leather.
✔ Abrasion Resistance – Increases durability, reducing stretch, scuffing, and wear.
✔ Breathability Maintained – Non-film-forming formula keeps leather naturally breathable.
✔ Leather-Safe – pH 3.2 matches the leather pH neutral of 3-5.
✔ Leather Scent – Enhances the sensory experience with a rich, luxurious leather aroma.

Protector B (Scentless Version)

For those who prefer protection without added fragrance, Protector B offers the same benefits in a neutral formulation.

 Restoration Plan Instruction:

 Step 1: Assessment

 Ask yourself:

• Are the handles only dark, or also greasy/tacky?
• Any cracking, flaking, or greenish tarnish near hardware?
• Uneven color or water stains?
• Follow the steps with understanding.

 Take before-photos—restorations are satisfying!

Step 2: Prep Cleaning Accumulated Soiling and Aged Conditioners.

Prep 4.4 is a pH 4.4 prep cleaner for general accumulated soiling and removing aging unwanted conditioners on Vachetta, Monogram and the lining.

1. Prep 4.4 is applied and work with horsehair Brush 1 on heavily soiled areas.
2. Its suspended soiling is towel extracted before dries until it shows clean ready for optional degreasing.

✅ Removes surface grime and prepares the leather for degreasing. 

Step 3: Degreasing Darkening Body Oil and Grease Stains.

Degreaser 2.2 is a professional-grade, pH 2.2 water-based solution formulated to remove body oils, grease, and sweat from Vachetta. 

1. It is swirled around and given a vigorous shake to gels before use.
2. It is saturated to reach penetrated soiling with Brush 1 and Eraser 4 and extracted with a dry towel until it is clean and ready for acidifying rinsing or continue with Vachetta 1.2 for combine rinsing.

✅ Lifts oils, sweat, and embedded hand grime.

Step 4: Restoring Browning Discoloration.

Vachetta 1.2 is a pH 1.2 browning restoration cleaner for rectifying the common blotchy browning discoloration stains on Vachetta. 

1. Its concentrate 1: 19 is mixed with 216g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2. It is applied and brushed with a Brush 1.
3. It is left to dwell for 3 to 30 minutes or before it dries for complete discoloration removal.
4. Its suspended soiling is extracted with a dry highly absorbent towel until it shows clean and continues acidifying rinsing.

✅ Removes browning discoloration.

Step 5: Acidifier Rinse in Sequence after combine sequence cleaning with optional Steps 2, 3 or 4.

 Acidifier 2.0 is a pH 2.0 acidifier rinse for controlling, neutralizing, and pH-balancing leather from browning or getting tacky.

1. Its concentrate 1: 25 is to be mixed with 218g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2. It is applied directly, brushed, and extracted with a towel until clean.
3. It is kept for 3 to 30 minutes to control browning or tackiness.
4. Its treatment is complete with a test for a healthy squeaky feel, ready for other specialty and overall cleaning.

✅ pH balancing to a healthy, squeaky feel.

Step 6: General Cleaning in Sequence after optional Steps 2, 3 & 4 to the entire panel without a drying edge.

Cleaner 3.8 is a pH 3.8 leather-safe cleaner that is particularly effective in emulsifying and suspending general soiling without common side effects. 

1. Its concentrate 1: 64 is mixed with 223g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use. 
   
2. It is applied and brushed with a detailing horsehair brush.
3. It is left to dwell for 3 to 30 minutes or before it dries for complete soil suspension.
4. Its suspended soiling is extracted with a dry highly absorbent towel until it shows clean and continues rinsing.

✅ General cleaning to wet out the entire panel to even out the wet-out darkening appearance.

Step 7: General Rinsing after Cleaner 3.8.

Rinse 3.0 is a pH 3.0 mild acidic rinse for removing suspended soil and strengthening the leather's pH chemistry integrity.

1. Its concentrate 1: 80 is mixed with 224g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2. It is applied and brushed with a detailing horsehair brush.
3. Its suspended soiling is extracted with a dry highly absorbent towel until it shows clean and continues hydrating.

✅ General rinsing to a healthy, squeaky feel.

Step 8: Hydrate to Relax and Ready for Fatliquoring 

Hydrator 3.3 is a pH 3.3 conditioning relaxer, that facilitates colloidal water movement, and reduces surface and interfacial tension. 

1. Its concentrate 1: 25 is mixed with 218g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2. It is applied and soaked with a detailing horsehair brush and deep suspended soiling is extracted with a towel until clean.
3. It is left to dwell sufficiently to allow wicking deep soiling and effective relaxing results before fatliquoring. 

✅ Deep rinsing, relaxing, even out appearance ready for fatliquoring. 

9. Replenishing Diminishing Fat and Oil with Softness and Strength.

Fatliquor 5.0 is a pH 5.0 ionic negative (-ve) charged micro-emulsion of fat and oil softening conditioner that works by hydrogen bonding. 

1. Its concentrate 1: 5 is mixed with 189g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2. It is applied and soaked with a detailing horsehair brush allowing water content to evaporate naturally.
3. It is reapplied each cycle water content evaporates until the last application, the leather absorbs no more and is left to dry naturally.
4. It surface is rinsed residue-free with Hydrator 3.3 and physical massage, or flexed until dry to produce the softest leather.
5. It ends the continuous wet process and is ready for other treatments and conditioning.

✅ Prevent dry rot and stiffness that leads to cracking.

10. Reduces Suntanning and Browning Effect.

Vachetta 2.8 is a pH 2.8 Redox (oxidation-reduction reaction) for lightening, browning, suntanning, and water discoloration.

1. Its concentrate 1: 3 is mixed with 85g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2. Its treatment is recommended after fat liquoring with a high percentage of fat and oil content.
3. It is applied brushed with an even appearance and excess is extracted with a towel until the towel is clean.
4. Its application is left to dry naturally, with satisfaction, surface residue is wiped with Hydrator 3.3. 

✅ Helps even out the tone after years of oxidation and sun exposure.

11. Final Nonstick, Rub-Resistant Conditioning.

Protector B Plus  is a soft, buttery-feel, nonstick, rub-resistant conditioner that increases resistance to rubs while retaining its natural transpiration. 

1. Its concentrate 1: 15 is mixed with 212g distilled water or 1.5 inches from the top of the 8oz bottle before use.
2. It is applied, spread, left to dry, and ready to use.

✅ Adds invisible protection against friction wear.

12. Lining, Canvass, and Vachetta Cleaning and Conditioning Sequence.

1. In an overall cleaning of the interior lining and the outer monogram and Vachetta, the lining comes, first, left to dry before cleaning the canvas followed by Vachetta.
2. Products used in sequence for the lining and canvas are Prep 4.4, Cleaner 3.8, Rinse 3.0, and Protector B Plus.

✅ A complete holistic cleaning and conditioning system capable of improving appearance, odors, touch, and softness with strength. 

13. A Sequence of Wet Processes for Leather Problem #6 Restorative Cleaning Explained:

• Typically, a wet process is continuous where the leather is constantly kept at the lowest moisture level of about 25%.
• This minimum moisture level is important not allowing the leather to dry before the final fatliquoring process with Fatliquor 5.0 otherwise existing cracks will accelerate, accentuate, or magnify.
• The optimum fatliquor (fat and oil) moisture level should reach 14% when dry to avoid the ill effect of drying without sufficient fatliquor.
• Fast drying will stiffen the leather and slow natural drying will produce a softer leather.

If you have any other problems that need clarification, please post your questions with pictures to this link:

https://www.leathercleaningrestorationforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?64-Louis-Vuitton-Vachetta-Bag-Forum

Email Comments by G. D. on 2-Feb-2019:

I want to tell you how unbelievably grateful I am for your products. They are just amazing and there is absolutely nothing else like them.  I’m able to restore vintage Louis Vuitton bags to the point where before and after pictures of the leather are hard to believe.  So a very big thank you!!! 

Your opinions and insights are precious and will help us solve your leather problem more efficiently.

Updated November 31, 2024 - April 7, 2025 by Roger Koh