Care

Designed to be used. Cared for to last.

Pelli bags are made to be part of everyday life. We design them to be used often, repaired where possible, and enjoyed over time.

Because many of our bags are made with natural fibres, how you care for them plays an important role in how they age and how long they last. Natural materials behave differently from synthetic fabrics. They soften, wear, and change with use, and that’s part of their character.

This guide is here to help you get the most out of your bag.

Caring for your bag, together. 

Natural materials respond best to gentle care. Spot cleaning, air drying and careful storage will help your bag age well and stay in use longer.

Machine and hand washing, immersing, overloading or ongoing exposure to heat or damp  will weaken fibres and affect structure over time. If you treat your bag with a little extra care, it will reward you with a longer life and better wear.

Everyday care

Use your bag within its intended purpose and avoid overloading.

• Allow your bag to dry fully if it gets wet before storing.
• Store in a dry, shaded well-ventilated space when not in use.
• Spot clean only 
• Do not store in the car, in direct sunlight, or in a damp environment. 

Cleaning by material

Jute and jute felt

• Spot clean only with a damp cloth.
• Avoid soaking or submerging in water.
• Air dry completely, away from direct heat or sunlight.

Canvas

• Spot clean with cold water and mild soap.
• Air dry in the shade.
• Do not machine wash or hand wash.
• Do not tumble dry.

Waxed canvas

• Do not machine wash or dry clean.
• Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• Creases, marks, and colour variation are part of how waxed canvas ages.
• Re-waxing will help restore water resistance and extend the life of the fabric.
  

Insulated bags

• Wipe out with a damp cloth immediately after use.
• Leave open and standing in shape to dry.
• Spot clean the outer with a damp cloth.
• Do not machine wash, hand wash, or submerge in water.
• If the bag gets wet, place it in a warm, dry spot in the shade to dry.
• Spot rinse spills with fresh water and leave to dry completely in a warm, shaded spot, ensuring the inner insulation is also completely dry.
• Store in a dry, shaded location, keeping the bag’s shape where possible.
• Do not store in the fridge.  Keep food items in the fridge and place in bag when it is time to transport. 

Repair

The most sustainable bag is the one you already own. Before you consider end-of-use, we encourage you to repair, reinforce, and refresh your Pelli piece — many fixes take minutes, and most bigger repairs are simple for a professional.

What can usually be repaired?

Quick fixes (DIY or in-store alterations):

• Loose threads, small seam openings

• Minor tears or holes (patch + stitch)

• Replacing a zip pull or slider

• Reinforcing handles / strap anchors (high-stress points)

• Re-securing velcro, snaps, rivets, or labels

Professional repairs (worth it for well-loved pieces):

• Full zip replacement

• Strap replacement, shortening or lengthening

• Re-stitching handles and bindings

• Lining repairs or partial replacement (where possible)

• Hardware replacement (buckles, D-rings, clips)

Where to repair (Australia)

1) Clothing alterations & sewing studios
Ideal for: seams, stitching, patches, handle reinforcement, zip repairs/replacements.
Many alterations businesses explicitly offer zipper work (including on bags).

2) Cobblers & leather/handbag repairers
Ideal for: hardware, heavy-duty stitching, strap repairs, reinforcement, some zip work and restorations.
There are also Australia-wide mail-in handbag/shoe repair services if you can’t find someone nearby.

3) Community Repair Cafés (great for “small fixes” + learning)
Ideal for: basic sewing repairs, simple hardware fixes, guidance and tools.
You can search for a Repair Café near you (and there are local groups across Australia).
(Example in WA: Repair Café Perth runs regular sessions.)

4) DIY (if you’re keen)
Great for: reattaching loose stitching, patching, replacing pulls, simple zip fixes.
A simple broken zipper can sometimes be fixed with basic tools; guides like iFixit show common methods.

How to find the right repairer (quick + reliable)

In Google Maps, search one of these terms, then apply filters:

• Rating: 4.5★ and up

• Hours: Open now

• (Optional) “Within 10 km”

Best search terms to use

• “bag repair”

• “zip replacement” (many alteration stores do bag zips too)

• “cobbler” or “shoe repairs” (often do bags + hardware)

• “handbag repair”

• “canvas repair” (great for heavy-duty stitching, straps, reinforcement)

• “luggage repair”

What to send them (so they can quote fast)

1. Photo of the full item

2. Close-up of the issue

3. A photo of the area under tension (strap joins/zip ends)

4. Your preference: invisible repair vs visible patch

Save the parts (even if you can’t repair today)

If something fails, don’t throw it out straight away. Keep:

• Zips, sliders, buckles, D-rings, clips

• Removable straps

• Any intact panels that can become patches

These parts are often the key to an easy repair later.

Reinforce before it fails

If your bag is a daily workhorse, consider “preventative” reinforcement:

• Add a reinforcing stitch or patch to strap joins

• Re-stitch early if seams start to gap

• Replace a zipper slider before the teeth are damaged

Waxed canvas care (extends life)

Waxed canvas is designed for longevity. If your waxed canvas looks dry, scuffed, or less water-resistant, re-waxing helps extend lifespan and keeps it performing.

Re-waxing your waxed canvas bag

A quick re-wax every so often refreshes water resistance and helps your bag age beautifully. You’ll know it’s time when the fabric looks dry in high-wear areas (base, corners, seams) or when water stops beading on the surface.

What you’ll need

• Fabric wax bar (recommended)
  Examples: Fjällräven Greenland Wax, Otter Wax, or another wax made for waxed canvas.

• Hair dryer (best) or heat gun on low (use carefully)

• Clean cloth (for buffing)

• Soft brush / old toothbrush (for seams)

• Optional: masking tape (to protect leather trims), cardboard (to place inside the bag)

Before you start

1. Empty the bag and remove any inserts.

2. Dry clean first: brush off dust and dirt.
   If needed, wipe with a slightly damp cloth and let the bag dry completely (ideally overnight).

3. Protect trims: if your bag has leather details, cover them with masking tape to avoid wax transfer.

4. Shield the inside: place a piece of cardboard inside the bag so wax doesn’t press through while you work.

How to apply wax

1. Rub wax onto the fabric with firm, even strokes.
   Work panel by panel and pay extra attention to:

   • base and corners

   • seams and stitching

   • edges and high-contact areas

2. Work wax into seams using a cloth or toothbrush.

Melt it in

1. Use a hair dryer on hot and warm the waxed area until the wax turns slightly glossy and absorbs into the fabric.

2. Keep the heat moving—don’t hold it in one spot.

3. Repeat across the bag until the surface looks even.

Finish

1. Let the bag cool for 10–20 minutes.

2. Buff lightly with a clean cloth to remove any excess wax.

3. For extra protection, apply a second light coat on the base and seams.

Lining notes (important)

• Natural cotton-lined bags: Keep wax on the outer canvas only. Avoid pushing wax through the fabric by using cardboard inside the bag while applying.

• Insulated (TPU-lined) bags: Wax the outside canvas only. Avoid heating the same spot for too long, and don’t direct high heat into the bag.

Aftercare + storage

• Allow the bag to rest overnight before heavy use.

• Store in a cool, dry place. In very warm weather, waxed canvas can feel slightly tacky—this is normal and settles as it cools.

Quick troubleshooting

• Patchy finish? Add a small amount more wax and reheat to even it out.

• Wax sitting on top? Apply more heat and keep moving the dryer until it absorbs.

• Too much wax? Warm gently and buff with a clean cloth.

Still unsure? We’ll help

If you’re not sure what’s repairable, contact us with:

• A photo of the item

• A photo of the damage

• Your suburb/postcode

We’ll recommend the best next step (repair / repurpose / end-of-use pathway).

Replace

When a Pelli bag has reached the end of its usable life, you can be reassured that its impact has been considered from the beginning. We choose materials with realistic end-of-use outcomes in mind, prioritising natural fibres over permanence. While no product is impact-free, many of the materials we use are designed to break down over time under the right conditions, rather than persist indefinitely in the environment.  Please see our end of use guidelines here