How To Care For Your Handbag

In a perfect world, our handbags would never get stained or damaged. Yeah right! We all know that’s never going to happen. Don’t despair, check out Quick Fixes & Solutions where we cover designer handbag care solutions for everything from ink marks to scratches.

We also have and extensive care and cleaning archive in our Leathers & Fabrics and Exotic Skins sections. For care instructions on specific types of materials, check out those pages.

Now, we all know how much wear-and-tear our precious bags go through. We expose them to every element, be it the sun, rain, dust, humidity, etc. Over time, all of these elements take their toll on the handbag’s materials. There are some easy things you can do before you start using your brand new handbag that'll extend its longevity. If you think you’re up to the challenge of doing it yourself, go to our page on designer handbag care through weatherproofing and find out what specific things you can do to get the job done.

FABRICS:

• Most designer fabric bags come with a protective coating that prevents water and stains from setting in. Think Coach Signature fabric handbags. It’s still a good idea, however, to apply Scotch Guard to a new fabric handbag to prevent it from future damage.


• Mild hand soap and a damp white cloth can be used on most canvas or fabric handbags. Remember to blot rather than rub, as rubbing will cause the stain to spread.


• If the stain is stubborn, you can try using a toothbrush to gently scour the stain. However, be careful not to apply too much pressure while rubbing as this may cause damage to the fabric.


• Blot dry with a clean cloth and allow to air dry indoors.


• For more detailed techniques, interior lining treatments and much more on designer handbag care, check out the How to Clean Coach Handbags page.

Leather purses require a little more TLC than fabric bags.

• To begin with, when you first purchase your dream bag, you should take it to your local shoe repair shop and inquire about weatherproofing. It’s best to spend a little money at first, protecting your bag, than having to spend a lot more after the fact, trying to repair it.


• Check the tags on your leather purse for manufacturer’s tips and suggestions (when available, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations).


• Mix a few drops of mild hand soap into a glass of distilled water. IMPORTANT: Use hand soap. I find dishwashing soap dries out the leather. Just try washing your hands with it and you'll feel the difference after your hands dry. Also, use distilled water because tap water often contains chemicals such as chlorine that can damage or age delicate leathers. WARNING: Some leathers must NOT be cleaned using any detergents or conditioners, whatsoever. Doing so could irreparably damage the leather. Please find your specific leather in our Leathers & Fabrics and Exotic Skins sections for do's and don'ts on specific leathers.


• Choose a soft, white cloth that is not dyed. This prevents the color from rubbing off onto the leather.


• 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.


• Wipe away residue with a clean, damp cloth. Then, allow to air dry indoors. Do not leave the bag in direct sunlight and keep it away from heat sources like hair dryers. Leather does not respond well to heat.


• Some brands sell their own cleaners and conditioners (like Coach's Leather Cleaner and Moisturizer). We recommend using these when appropriate to keep your bag's warranty intact. Using unauthorized cleaners can void the warranty.


• You should also follow with a leather conditioning cream which will act like a moisturizer, keeping the leather soft and vibrant, and as a protector, keeping dirt and stains from being absorbed. We recommend Leather Honey. Proper designer handbag care demands you do this every 4-6 months on average. More frequently in northern climates and less often in tropical climates.


• Not all leathers are the same. Some are more delicate than others.That’s why we encourage you to understand what type of leather your bag is made of. Go to our Leathers & Fabrics and Exotic Skins pages to learn more about the type of leather your purse is made of. This way you’ll know what conditioner and cleaning method best suits your bag’s needs, as well as how often you should do it.

Here are tips on how to maintain your hardware:

• Pay attention to metal hardware such as brass snaps or stainless steel eyelets. The best home remedy we’ve found to clean tarnished and grimy hardware are Mr. Cleans’ magic erasers.


• Keep zippers moving freely with a piece of beeswax.


• Never use WD-40 or similar lubricants on a leather bag!


• If a piece of hardware or even a shoulder strap are damaged or malfunctioning, contact the manufacturer. Most designer brands have repair departments that can provide you with replacement parts.

INTERIOR:

Cleaning the inside of your purse is an important part of your designer handbag care efforts.

• Completely empty your purse.


• Shake it out or vacuum it if there's excessive dust and other build up.


• Using a mild, diluted bleach-free and chlorine-free liquid dishwashing detergent is a good way to remove most stains from the liner.


• Use luke-warm water. Take a clean, white cotton cloth and dab the stains. Don't rub. Rubbing will saturate the lining and transfer it to the exterior material.


• Go to the links below for more detailed guidelines on how to clean the interior lining of specific types of bags.

In the future, we’ll be conducting experiments with various recommended cleaning and repair products. We'll be documenting our results with pictures and videos of the seminars to give you more options when it comes to designer handbag care. To get the complete reports, Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter .

Leather Honey
How To Find Your Perfect Handbag
Handbag Repair
How To Weatherproof Your Handbag
How to Clean Coach Handbags
Leathers and Fabrics
Exotic Leathers
Styles & Uses
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