How to Clean a Leather Bag at Home
Leather bags are prone to stains. Your elbow, hand, and other materials can rub against the bag, leaving it stained. Luckily, there are a few easy DIY methods you can try at home to get rid of stains and scuff marks. Ink stains, for example, can be wiped away by soaking a cotton swab in alcohol or nail polish. This solution will work for small stains but will spread the stain, so use a wet cloth to wipe the area thoroughly.
Avoid using baby wipes, vinegar, or any other ‘home remedy’ for cleaning or stain removal
It may sound like a good idea to use vinegar, baby wipes, and similar ‘home remedies’ for cleaning and stain removal, but these solutions can actually damage the leather. Not only can they damage the colour, they can also cause a build-up of grease on the leather. Instead, you should look for special products to remove stains from leather bags, which will have instructions on how to use them.
If you’re concerned about the stain, try applying a mixture of lemon juice and cream of tartar on the affected area. You can increase the amount of the two ingredients to cover the stain completely, and then wait for about thirty minutes. If you don’t want to wait that long, you can even mix up a solution of white vinegar and water to remove the stain. Once the mixture has dried, use a damp cloth to remove it.
Alcohol is also a good stain remover, but it can dry out the leather. Make sure the alcohol solution you choose is concentrated enough to cover the stain thoroughly. To make sure that it’s effective, mix it with water to 50%. If you’re using a handbag care kit, you’ll be able to use the cleaner that came with the kit. Blot the stain with a clean cloth afterward.
Another ‘home remedy’ for cleaning leather bags is hair spray. Although it might work temporarily to remove a stain, most hair sprays contain alcohol which damages the leather. In addition, the residue left behind will collect more dirt and discolor the leather.
Leather cleaners should be intended for the type of leather your bag is made out of
To care for a leather bag, it’s important to use the proper cleaners for the type of leather. You should always clean your bag once a week with warm water. It’s also a good idea to keep it away from direct sunlight, which can fade its color.
First, use a leather cleaning kit that’s specially made for the type of leather your bag is made of. Avoid using regular products, such as baby wipes, as these can damage the leather’s sheen. In addition, avoid leaving the bag outside, which can fade the colour and ruin the texture.
You can use a commercial cleaner or a homemade leather cleaner. However, you should test the cleaner on a small spot before using it on your bag. It’s also important to use a leather conditioner to protect the leather from damage. Lastly, you should keep your bag away from direct sunlight and use a protective cream to keep it looking its best.
Leather cleaners are available in stores and online. You can also make your own using ingredients found around the house. A leather conditioner will make the leather smoother and prevent flaking and wrinkling.
Dry cleaning is easier for regular leather and suede
It is important to choose the right cleaning method for your regular leather and suede bag. You should use a special brush that is made for suede to remove dirt. Then you should apply a leather conditioner on the suede to restore it to its original state. The conditioner should be purchased from a leather store that you trust.
Regular leather and suede bags can be cleaned at a dry cleaner. However, suede is more difficult to clean and is not a good candidate for the wash cycle. A moist cloth can damage the material. If you have a bag made of suede, always remove the water before washing it.
You can also use a pencil eraser to remove dirt from suede. A fresh eraser will soak up the dirt from the suede. However, be careful not to use an eraser that has dirt on it, because it will transfer to the suede. It is advisable to keep the eraser in a clean place, so that it doesn’t get dirty while cleaning the suede.
Regular leather and suede bags can be cleaned using a professional dry cleaning service. Leather and suede are delicate and sensitive to chemicals. If you try to clean them at home, you risk discoloring the leather or changing the color. It is better to leave the job to a professional who understands the material well.