How to Clean Your Leather Purse- Step-by-Step Guide for a Spotless Shine

an image of a leather bag and a leather brown man shoes

When it comes to purses and bags, leather handbags stand out as the most sought-after accessories among women. Renowned for their fine quality, durability, and resistance to dust, not to mention the timeless fashion they exude, leather bags are a classy and stunning choice. However, cleaning your leather purse can be a tricky task.

If you’re struggling to figure out how to clean your leather purse, worry not! Love2Laundry offers a range of exceptional services, including cleaning leather handbags. So, if you’re in Dubai, seize the opportunity to book our professional dry cleaners and let us lighten your burden.

If you prefer to clean it yourself, you’ll need to follow a few steps carefully to ensure your leather bag is cleaned without any damage.

Also Read: How to dry shoes after washing


Step by Step – How to Clean Leather Purse 

You are carrying a bag of germs with you if your leather purse is uncleaned. Let’s open the book of some possible ways to clean leather purses or handbags and explore them step by step:

a woman is using a brush to clean leather purse

Gather Your Cleaning Supplies For Cleaning Leather Purse

  • Wet wipes
  • Clean and non-dyed cloth
  • Leather Cleaner
  • Leather conditioner
  • Leather gel
  • Metal polish
  • Cotton swabs or buds

Empty Your Bag

First and foremost, the step for cleaning your leather purse is to empty your bag and your accessories, including your wallet, makeup kit, books, and other belongings. Make sure to check all the inner and side pockets, as they may have hidden trash or other small items.

Test in an Inconspicuous Area

Another important step for cleaning the leather purse is testing the product in a small quantity and in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire purse. As some of the products are acidic, they might react directly, leaving stains and discoloration. Hence, it is better to check the small portion first as a safe side. 

Wipe Away Surface Dirt

Wiping away the surface dirt from your leather bag is an essential step for cleanliness. It allows you to remove the dirt from the surface by using a soft and clean cloth, and it also wipes out the remaining small particles.

Apply Leather Cleaner 

After wiping the surface dirt, apply leather cleaner gently over the purse with the help of another clean cloth or cotton swabs. It will give a smooth surface. 

Address Stains Carefully

Having stains in your leather purse is one of the common issues, but addressing and treating them accordingly is in your hand and you may remove them carefully using different chemicals and alcohol swabs.

Rinse and Dry

Rinse the purse in mild warm water with leather cleaner or soap carefully and let it dry in the fresh atmosphere. Don’t expose your leather bag directly to the sun; instead, use a wool cloth or a piece of towel to dry it. 

Condition Your Leather Purse

Once you are done with the cleaning process, here comes a final step, which is conditioning your leather purse. Rinsing with soap and leather cleaners leaves the purse in its raw form so it’s essential to apply leather conditioner after rinsing. It will give a shiny and smooth surface, prolonging its lifespan and durability.

Things used for removing stains from leather handbags

Having stains on your leather handbags is quite an irritating thing, right? But not anymore. Here our some of the useful tips and tricks you can try for removing stains from leather handbags:

a leather purse with slight stains on it

Mild Leather Cleaner or Saddle Soap

Saddle soap is considered one of the best leather cleaners. It maintains the moisturizer of the leather, helps to remove stubborn stains, and gives a fine touch. 

Soft, Clean Cloth or Sponges

Soft, clean cloth and sponges play a crucial part in cleaning and removing stains. It gently wipes out the dirt and doesn’t create any scratches on the body of leather bags.

Distilled Water

Rinsing with distilled warm water is useful as the growth of bacteria is inhibited in extreme temperatures, and it kills germs from the surface. 

White Vinegar

White vinegar is usually acidic in nature and it is used for various purposes like removing tough stains from leather handbags. Use it with the cotton swabs or a small dry-cleaned piece of cloth and let it dry. White vinegar will not only remove the stains but also help in detailed cleaning. 

Eraser

Erasers can also be used to remove pencil or pen marks from leather handbags. It’s an easy and effective way to use as it does not damage the surface of the leather. 

Cornstarch or Baking Soda

Cornstarch and baking soda is the best remedy to treat oil or grease-based stains. Sprinkling it over the stained area overnight and brushing it off the next morning will be effective. 

Leather Stain Remover

Using leather stain remover would also be a smart approach for your leather handbags. It will specifically react to the stained area and gently remove it by using a sponge or cotton swabs.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, cleaning your leather purse or handbags is essential and should be added as a part of your routine or at least thrice a week. It can be done in various effective ways by using leather cleaner, conditioner, or even leather polish for hard materials. 

Make sure to test the product in an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire bag, and use different mixtures according to the nature of the stain. However, consider yourself lucky if you are living in Dubai and facing the same issue because Love2Laundry is here to FIX IT!

Also Read: Quick & Easy Tips – How to Remove Makeup Stains from Clothes

FAQs

What is the best homemade leather cleaner?

If your favorite bag is getting dull or has stains on it, you can make a simple mixture at home by taking the same ratio of white vinegar and olive oil with water and spraying it on the object, cleaning it with a clean piece of cloth, and letting it dry. 

Is vinegar good for cleaning leather bags?

Yes, using vinegar is an effective way to clean leather bags. Vinegar is acidic in nature, plus it’s inexpensive and can be purchased easily. 

Can we wash leather bags in water?

Yes, we can, but washing it frequently and without using leather cleaners can cause it to lose its natural form, making it stiff and leading to discoloration. Hence, it’s not advisable unless it gets done by professional cleaners.