Most of the time, buying a leather purse is an investment, especially if you’re buying a sought-after designer brand like Gucci or Fendi (side note: love the latest Fendi bags, the sleek Fendi First bag is to die for).
To keep your leather bags looking nice and ensure they last as long as possible, you’re going to have to take care of them.
If you want to learn how to best clean and maintain your leather bags, read this guide to learn how to clean leather purses.
Why Clean Your Leather Purses?
Cleaning and conditioning your leather bags regularly is important for an array of reasons, including the following:
- Keeping your leather bag clean and conditioned will keep it looking brand new.
- If stains on leather aren’t treated in a timely manner, they can become more difficult to remove.
- Leather bags are sensitive, so they can dry out or even crack if they aren’t taken care of properly.
- If you keep your bag in premium condition, you can resell it for higher prices when you’re ready for something new.
How To Clean Leather Purses
What Not To Use
First, let’s start off with what not to use if you want to clean your leather purse.
You should never ammonia or bleach-based products because they’re super harsh and can be damaging to the leather’s natural finish.
In fact, you should also avoid using too much water because it can actually cause water stains on your leather bag as well.
Also, make sure to never place your leather bag (or any leather product) in the sun for long periods of time. This will dry it out and can cause the leather to crack.
Cleaning Your Leather Purse
- Thoroughly empty out the contents of your bag. This is to ensure nothing gets damaged and to free your purse of debris and dust. Yes, you’ll finally get rid of those gum wrappers.
- If you’re doing a thorough, deep clean, you’re going to need a lint roller for the lining, or you can even use a vacuum.
- If you don’t have a certified leather cleaner, you can easily make your own cleaning solution by mixing warm water and dish soap.
- Next, you need a soft cloth. Dip the cloth into the solution and wipe the exterior of the purse.
- When you’ve finished, use a new soft cloth to wipe off the soap, and then another cloth or towel to dry.
Removing Stains From Your Leather Purse
No matter how careful you are, stains can happen. If you catch a stain on one of your leather purses, don’t fret!
It’s important to remove stains as quickly as possible, otherwise it might be more difficult to remove. If you catch a potential stain right when it happens, make sure to blot the spill and avoid rubbing it in.
We recommend carrying a small pack of leather cleaning wipes with you so you can wipe away anything on-the-go.
Aside from this, here are some methods you can use to remove a stain.
- Cuticle Remover or Rubbing Alcohol (Ink Stains)
If you’re looking to remove ink stains and scuffs, you can dip a cotton swab in some cuticle remover or rubbing alcohol and gently blot the stain. Clean lightly to afraid spreading, and then wipe it off using a clean cloth or a dry towel.
- Baking Soda or Cornstarch (Oil Stains)
What can’t baking soda do? Depending on the stain (this method is great for oil stains), removing it might be as easy as sprinkling cornstarch over the stain and leaving it to sit overnight.
Cornstarch also works for this too if you’re out of baking soda.
- Water (Water Stains)
If you have an annoying water stain on your leather bag, here’s a hack: just get the area damp again, then let it dry.
Leather Purse Aftercare
After you’ve cleaned your leather purse, it’s important to regularly care for your leather bag to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Like human skin, leather needs to be moisturized, otherwise it will dry out. To do this, you can buy a leather conditioner and regularly apply the product to your bag. This will help ensure your favorite leather purse lasts as long as possible.
Aside from this, we recommend storing your leather bags in a protective bag to minimize any unnecessary dust or potential damage. Many designer bags come with a protective bag with your purchase.
In Conclusion
Cleaning your leather purse doesn’t have to be hard!
If you don’t have leather cleaner, these are the best ways to clean your leather goods using simple ingredients you can find at home.
Your leather deserves to be preserved, and the money you spent on it deserves to not be wasted.
Happy cleaning!
