It’s a fact of life: stains happen. Still, finding a stain is on your designer handbag (which might have been an investment you’d hoped to get some mileage out of), can be tough to take sitting down. We hear from customers with blemished bags nearly every day, so we understand these incidents are traumatic, and purse cleaning is expensive to boot.

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Don't let a bad stain happen to a good bag (click to enlarge)

That’s why we’d like to share some purse cleaning tips to help you salvage your arm candy. Of course, if you have an unusually bad case or little experience with handbag cleaning you may want to take it to the professionals.

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Unfortunately, purse cleaning, especially cleaning a leather purse, isn’t as simple as washing a basic tee. Fair warning: cleaning designer handbags can be risky, and if you’re not careful, it’s all too easy to transform a salvageable bag into a total loss. So, treat your bag with care and always test a new product on an inconspicuous area first.

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This blog post will primarily cover leather handbags. Vinyl and plastic purses are simple to clean with mild soap and water. Purses made from exotic materials, such as snakeskin, are not a good at-home DIY cleaning project.
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When cleaning your leather purse, remember that all genuine leather was once a living hide. First and foremost, animal skins needs to breathe. If you suffocate your purse with the wrong cleaner, or allow a stain to become embedded, the leather will dry out, crack, or fade. For this reason, it’s important to steer clear of most synthetic cleaning products, especially ones that are petroleum-based. It’s also important to clean your leather purse with a cloth that won’t delaminate or crumble. Use a microfiber cloth like this to wipe your bag — never use soggy paper towels.

Our expert handbag cleaner Hassan working on a microfiber cloth (click to enlarge)

So, how to clean your leather purse? Let’s get started. It’s easiest to clean your handbag before it gets heavily soiled, so try to freshen up your leather purses regularly. The best way to do this is using baby wash and those previously mentioned microfiber towels. Heavily dilute the wash (a drop or two will do in 8-12 ounces of water) and mix the solution in a spray bottle. Never spray any cleaning product (even watered down) straight onto your leather bag; rather, spray the solution onto your towel , then gently wipe the bag. Try to go with the grain of the leather, and use smooth, even strokes. Pay particular attention to the areas of the bag you most often touch, such as the handle and clasp, as those sections are the most likely to be saturated by body oils. It’s also a good idea to condition your bag periodically with a moisturizer specifically tailored to leather purses.

These are the areas most commonly soiled on purses (click to enlarge)

If you have a major stain, don’t despair. In the cleaning business, we refer to two types of stains: wet stains (which can come out with water) and dry stains (which must be removed by, you guessed it, dry cleaning). A wet stain is a stain with a water-soluble contaminant. Ketchup is a common water-based stain. Wet stains can be removed at home, but “dry stains,” typically greasy blemishes caused by oil, paint, wax or lipstick will need professional attention.

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To treat stained leather, you’ll want to break out your microfiber clothes again and get your hands on a product called saddle soap. Be cautious! Saddle soap can streak or stain certain leathers. Test it out in an inconspicuous area first. Gently blot the affected area, or wipe if you must, but never rub a stain. You may end up grinding the contaminant in more deeply, or worse, removing leather dye with the saddle soap. This method will be most effective when a stain is fresh, so don’t delay cleaning stained leather surfaces! You can’t rush the process cleaning handbags, so don’t be afraid to let your bag dry and repeat the process. Successful cleaning may take several tries.

Our expert tech Hassan applies specially formulated dye to scratched leather (click to enlarge)

Scratched bags are another common issue we see at Meurice. Shoe polish is acceptable for minor touchups, but be aware it’s a temporary measure and will rub back off over time. Be very careful not to apply too much polish, which could make a mess and cause your leather to stiffen.

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Don’t forget to pay attention to metal hardware such as brass snaps or stainless steel eyelets. Believe it or not, the best home remedy we’ve found to clean tarnished and grimy hardware are Mr. Clean’s magic erasers. Keep zippers moving freely with a piece of beeswax (you can find this in natural foods stores). Never use WD-40 or similar oils on a leather bag!

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The easiest way to make sure your bag stays clean is to prevent it from getting dirty in the first place. Try not to carry pens in your good bags (ink marks are a bear even for professionals to remove) and always make sure liquid contents are secure. Be careful handling your bag at the salon, and after using cosmetics. Don’t set your bag down on dirty countertops, or worse, the floor. (yuk!) Finally, if the weather is inclement, you may want to reconsider bringing out a special bag.

We use our own dust bags because, well, we're the pros! (click to enlarge)

Take care when storing your designer purse. Never leave your purse in a sealed bag or container. (Leather must breathe, remember?) A much better storage option is a dustcover or old pillowcase. These will protect your bag without smothering it. Also, keep your bag off concrete floors (which can promote mildew) and try not to leave it in areas exposed to extreme temperatures, such as attics or closed cars on a hot summer day. If your bag has a chain handle, store the chain inside the bag to avoid scratching the outside leather when the bag is resting.

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With proper care, it’s possible to enjoy most leather purses nearly indefinitely. So, if you have a designer handbag with timeless styling, don’t let wear or stains force you to retire it early.

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