We're very excited to add a new line of eco-friendly accessories made by Alchemy Goods (Ag) to the Upland Road collection. Alchemy Goods makes sustainable, fashionable, durable handbags, wallets & laptop bags! They're made primarily from upcycled inner tubes, which is not a common component, so we wanted to share some information about the products' care & usage with you.
Are Alchemy Goods products durable?
You betcha. Inner tube is a very resilient and durable material. Your Alchemy Goods bag should last for years.
How do I care for my Alchemy Goods product?
Alchemy Goods products are made to be durable and easy to care for, so they don’t need much attention. You can spot clean your bag with a rag and some warm, soapy water. If the inside gets really dirty, you can turn it inside out, being careful to secure the straps, and machine wash it on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Hang it to dry. Do not put your bag in the dryer. If you prefer a shinier ‘wet’ look, you can apply a foaming tire cleaner like those available at auto parts stores. Spray the tire cleaner on a rag and wipe down the inner tube portion of your bag.
Why doesn’t my Alchemy Goods item look just like the picture on the web site?
Since Ag products are made from reclaimed materials, each product is unique. Some products will have markings from the inner tubes that end up on the outside of the bag. We think this is a great way to highlight the reclaimed nature of your Ag products and show your commitment to upcycling and sustainability.
My product smells like tires, what gives?
The Alchemy Goods products sold on UplandRoad.com are made from reclaimed inner tubes. Since each inner tube is unique, and comes from a different bike or truck, with different rubber of a different origin, some have a more noticeable odor than others. Usually the odor is stronger initially and decreases over time. Like anything aromatic, it will smell stronger in warm weather than it does in cool weather. In addition, different people have different levels of sensitivity to this. If your item has a strong smell that is not going away, please contact us to arrange for a return.
My bag is turning white. What is happening?
The whitish patina you see developing on your bag comes from a wax that is part of the rubber manufacturing process. This wax is intended to bloom out of the bag to protect the rubber from being degraded by ozone that naturally occurs in our atmosphere. Especially in hot conditions (like a locked car sitting in the sun), you may see this develop on your bag. The wax is not harmful and we think the aged look is pretty sweet. If you prefer a shinier ‘wet’ look, you can apply a foaming tire cleaner like those available at auto parts stores. Spray the tire cleaner on a rag and wipe down the inner tube portion of your bag. It may also be helpful to use a UV protectant like 303 Aerospace Protectant to prevent this from happening.
Are Ag products waterproof?
The inner tubes themselves are waterproof and the products also have a lining with a waterproof coating. The seams of the bags are not sealed and in extreme conditions, it is possible for some water to leak in the main opening of the bag, so they aren’t marketed as being waterproof. That said, they do perform very well in wet conditions.
