How to Clean a Leather Handbag

Emergency! If stains, mildew and cracking attack your leather handbag, what are you supposed to do? Don’t panic. Follow our tips below to take care of your precious leather handbag. There can be many reasons why it can be hard to find time to clean a handbag. It’s time-consuming and tedious, and some people may not enjoy it or may not think it is a priority.

When a leather handbag is produced in a factory, the leather is usually treated at the minimum level in order to keep its natural colour and texture that change with time. Therefore, as soon as you bring a leather handbag home, you need to give it a welcome-home ritual by treating it with a specialized leather protector to strengthen the immunity of your leather handbag. But, remember that a cheap shoe polish is a bomb. Can you risk your luxuriant leather handbag on a one-pound polish? I think not.

Some of you may be unsure of exactly how to clean a handbag properly and may be hesitant to try, or you may be concerned about damaging the handbag if you use the wrong cleaning methods.

If your leather handbag is unlucky enough to be tarnished with stains and mildew, before you give it proper protection, use a leather cleaner to rescue it. In addition, it is better to buy a specialized cleaner for leather handbags or leather shoes rather than a general cleaner for leather furniture. Never use soap, wet wipes or other cleaning solvents which contain alkaline. They will probably not clean stains and mildew on your leather handbag but will do further damage to its colour and texture. If the leather cleaner does not work well, you must take your leather handbag to a professional cleaning shop.

Here are the steps you should take to clean your leather handbag

• Start by removing any debris or dirt from the surface of the handbag using a soft brush or cloth. Be gentle and avoid using too much pressure to prevent damaging the leather.
• Mix a solution of mild dish soap and water in a small bowl. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and wring out any excess liquid. Gently wipe down the surface of the handbag with the soapy cloth, being careful not to saturate the leather.
• Once the entire handbag has been wiped down with the soapy solution, use a clean, damp cloth to remove any remaining soap and water.
• Allow the handbag to air dry completely before using it again. It’s important not to use heat sources like a hair dryer or radiator to speed up the drying process, as this can cause the leather to become stiff and brittle.
• Once the handbag is dry and you cleaned the stains and mildew off your leather handbag, use a leather protector to recover its colour and texture.

Use a leather conditioner or moisturizer to help keep the leather soft and supple.  You should carry-out this procedure at least twice a year in order to keep your leather handbag in the best possible condition. Using a leather protector constantly can also prevent cracking. You certainly do not want your precious leather handbag to look like a wrinkled dried fig. Apply the conditioner according to the instructions on the product, and use a soft cloth to evenly distribute it over the surface of the handbag.

You should also consider storing the handbag in a cool, dry place when not in use, and avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. This will help to prevent the leather from drying out and becoming damaged.

There are many soaps, conditioners, and moisturizers that are specifically designed for cleaning and maintaining leather.

It can be aesthetic when the colour of your leather handbag is faded. However, the premise is that the colour fades away equally. Unless you like your leather handbag with grotesque spots, you should use specialized colour spray for leather goods to restore the colour. Read the instructions on the colour spray carefully before you start the surgery.

Some common options include saddle soap, leather cleaner, leather conditioner, and leather moisturizer. Saddle soap is a gentle, soap-based cleaner that is often used for cleaning leather saddles and other leather goods. Leather cleaner is a mild, water-based cleaner that is effective at removing dirt and grime from the surface of leather without damaging it. Leather conditioner is a product that is applied to leather to help keep it soft and supple, and to prevent it from drying out and cracking. Leather moisturizer is a product that is similar to leather conditioner, but it is typically more emollient and is designed to add moisture and nourishment to dry, brittle leather.

• The amount of conditioner and moisturizer you should use to clean your leather handbag will depend on the size of the handbag and the condition of the leather. In general, it’s best to start by using a small amount of each product and then adding more as needed. This will help to prevent oversaturating the leather, which can cause it to become stiff and brittle.
• To apply the conditioner, start by shaking the bottle well to ensure that the product is properly mixed. Then, use a soft cloth to apply a small amount of the conditioner to the surface of the handbag, using circular motions to evenly distribute it. Allow the conditioner to penetrate the leather for a few minutes, and then use a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess.
• To apply the moisturizer, start by shaking the bottle well to ensure that the product is properly mixed. Then, use a soft cloth to apply a small amount of the moisturizer to the surface of the handbag, using circular motions to evenly distribute it. Allow the moisturizer to penetrate the leather for a few minutes, and then use a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess.

It’s important to be careful not to use too much conditioner or moisturizer, as this can cause the leather to become oversaturated and may lead to damage. It’s also a good idea to test the products on a small, inconspicuous area of the handbag before applying them to the entire surface, just to make sure that they will not cause any adverse effects.

Finally, pack your leather handbag into a dust bag instead of a plastic bag that may stick to your leather handbag. If you don’t have a ventilated wardrobe to store your leather handbag inside, put some desiccators in your wardrobe and inside your leather handbag.