Cork Tote Bag - Eco Minimalist

Natural Cork leather

Height: 11" (28cm)
Length: 15.75" (40cm)
Width: 5.1" (13cm)
Strap height (from top of bag): 10.2" (26cm)

Cleaning: In general, you should be able to wipe your cork product with a wet cloth to clean it. We recommend doing this frequently to keep it from staining. For tougher stains, use a mild and diluted soap on a wet cloth and wipe the product. If you get a particularly tough stain such as ink from a pen or sharpie, try a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a cloth or paper towel and wipe it. Test in an inconspicuous area first.

Some cork leather can also be washed in a washing machine. However, we do not recommend this if your product has any kind of stiffener in it such as a structured purse or a purse or tote with a hard bottom. (Yes! We've tried it ourselves.)

Creases: Yes, cork can be ironed! This usually isn't necessary. Normally, you can stuff your bag with a towel, blanket or even wadded paper and allow the crease to naturally fall out. If that doesn't do it or is not feasible because of the product you have, you can iron it from the back side with a low to medium iron.

How are cork bags made?

The cork bark is first made into cork leather using thin layers of bark adhered to a backing of some sort. They backing can vary from cotton, to cotton blends, to neoprene and more. Cork leather is then used to make the bag the same way an animal leather or vinyl would be used.

Is cork leather real leather?

No, it feels much like animal leather but is a plant based alternative and is made from the bark of cork oak trees. By nature, it is much lighter weight than animal leather making it popular for purses.

How does cork leather wear compared to animal leather?

Very similarly. Just like with animal leather, there are varying degrees of quality with cork leather. Given the same use, you can expect a good quality cork product to wear as long as you would expect the same product to last in animal leather.

Are cork purses durable?

Yes, cork leather is a durable material. Because the cork is adhered to a strong backing, it doesn't crumble the way one might experience with a wine cork taken out of the bottle. Cork leather naturally water-resistant, lightweight, and resilient, making it perfect for everyday use.

Can cork bags get wet?

Yes! By nature, cork is water resistant, stain resistant and antimicrobial. This is what makes cork perfect for wine bottle stoppers too. Getting wet should not hurt your product, in fact, many of our products are machine washable. Just let it dry. We do not currently carry them, but in Portugal, they frequently use cork umbrellas!

How do I clean my cork product?

Wipe it with a clean, wet cloth first. Add a drop or two of dish soap such as Dawn if the stain is tough. As a last resort try an alcohol wipe to clean it. In fairness, there are a few things that will stain cork that will be nearly impossible to remove such as prolonged exposure to red wine and wearing new dark denim jeans.

Where does cork come from?

Cork is harvested from the cork oak tree. The bark  is removed about every 9-14 years. Depending on the age of the tree, the bark is then punched into wine corks or boiled, flattened, and sliced and made into thin sheets. The sheets are then adhered to a backing making it suitable for as "fabric" or "cork leather". Cork trees grow natively in the Mediterranean area. Portugal is the world's number 1 exporter of cork.

Can cork be embroidered?

Absolutely! We embroider designs on many of the products we make from cork leather.

Will the paint on your products come off in the rain? 

No, we use a paint that once dried is permanent. We don't sell it until the paint is fully dried.

Can cork be laser engraved?

Yes! We laser engrave many of our products. We engrave coasters and placemats as well as the cork leather fabric. Like any other material being engraved, you must be careful of the settings you are using.

Does cork float?

Yes, in it's raw form, Cork is inherently bouyant. However, not all cork products float. Take a wine stopper and throw it in water and it will float. We've experimented with our hats and yes they float! Our plastic based sunglasses, sadly, did not float...too much plastic to weigh them down. However, our Wave Chasers Sunglasses that are made from bambo and cork float beautifully. An empty purse might float. We do not recommend using your purse full of your personal items as a floatation device. Our new fishing bobbers and lures definitely will float.

How well do cork bags hold up?

Cork bags are incredibly strong and water-resistant and mold resistant. Properly cared for, they are reliable for everyday use. It is important to keep them clean as they will patina over time with handling.

Enjoy free standard shipping in the continental US for purchases over $25. You can choose to pay for faster than economy shipping at checkout.

At Texas Cork Company, we strive for your complete satisfaction with our cork products. If you're not entirely happy with your purchase, we're here to assist.

Returns

• Eligibility: Items must be unused, in original packaging and with original tags attached, and return requested within 14 days of delivery. We must receive the returned item back within 30 days of the original delivery to you.
• Non-Returnable Items: Custom or personalized products, earrings, sale and clearance items, mystery bags/boxes, gift cards, items sold as FAULTY and items marked as final sale cannot be returned. Shipping is also not refundable.
• Shipping: Return shipping is generally the responsibility of the customer is not refundable.

Just contact us at admin@txcork.com to start the process. See our full return policy.