Although clothing can be easily placed in a washing machine, there are many other items that may be in your wardrobe that are harder to clean, such as handbags. However, there are ways to clean and maintain the materials of these items to ensure that they last for a long time.
Many bags have complex construction that uses a mix of fabrics, and can use other materials such as glues that can deteriorate if they come in contact with certain cleaning products. Although manufacturers are often legally required to disclose on labels what a bag is made from, there are usually no requirements for them to include care instructions that detail how to clean the item. However, it is better to focus on trying to keep your bag in as new of a condition as possible by ensuring that you are maintaining it regularly instead of trying to clean a bag that has been ignored for a while.
Treat stains as soon as possible
If you are away from home and spill something on your bag, you can act to minimise a stain before it sets into the fabric, especially if it is made from a porous material like leather. Use a napkin or tissue to gently blot the stain, but do not rub it. If you are able to access it, cornstarch or bicarbonate of soda can be pressed into the stain. Leave the powder to sit for a few minutes before brushing it off, and repeat this until the powder does not clump anymore.
Spot testing
Whenever you attempt to remove a stain yourself, you should first perform a spot test on a not so easily seen area of the bag. This will enable you to check if the treatment will discolour or damage the fabric. Apply a small amount of the product to a cotton bud and work this into the material, and then gently rub another cotton bud over the same area to check for colour transfer.
Use warm water and dish soap
Before trying speciality treatments, you can try to combat stained textiles on handbags by using dish soap and warm water. Dish soap contains the same surfactants as laundry detergent, and these emulsify oils so they can lift stains. However, unlike laundry detergents, dish soap does not contain enzymes so it will not damage the proteins found in materials like leather. Dish soap and water can work just as well as specialist products like leather shampoos, and there is less of a risk of discoloration to the leather pigment. Apply the dish soap to the bag using a microfibre cloth, and do not spray cleaners directly onto porous materials.
Stain Treatment
If using diluted dish soap is not working, using a specialist stain removing product is the recommended next step. Always do a spot test in an inconspicuous area of your bag first to check that it does not damage the material. If the stain is still stuck or you are concerned about damaging the material of your bag, it is better to take it somewhere it can be professionally cleaned instead.
Cleaning bag linings
Most handbag linings are made of fabrics that are easier to clean than those used on the bag’s exterior. Firstly, turn the lining of the bag inside out if it is not sewn to the bottom of the bag, and wipe off dust, crumbs and other debris. Use a stiff bristled brush or the dull side of a knife to brush or scrape away more stubborn stains. You can also try using micellar water, as this can be helpful for bags where the lining cannot be turned inside out as it does not need to be rinsed away like soapy water does. Micellar water contains mild organic solvents and surfactants, making it great for removing stains.
Condition leather bags
Conditioning leather bags is essential to keeping them in good condition, as it will keep the leather malleable so it will not crack or flake. Conditioning can also make minor surface imperfections blend in or become less noticeable. Even though you can wipe down a bag as often as needed to deal with dust, dirt or stains, you should not condition the bag too often as this can make it feel tacky. Generally, conditioning once a year is enough, but if the leather is starting to look dry or faded you may need to condition it more often.
Use smaller bags
You can avoid messy stains on the lining of your bag by storing items inside a smaller bag that fits within your handbag. For example, items such as pens or makeup can leak and stain the fabric, but if placed within a non porous bag this can reduce the stain spreading or stop it completely. You can also use a handbag organise to help catch debris that may fall to the bottom of the bag as well as keep it organised.
Store bags properly
When a bag is not in use, it should be stuffed to help maintain the structure of the bag. You can use materials such as packing paper, tissue paper or towels, and the bag should be placed on a shelf instead of being hung up if possible. Bags made from porous materials should be kept in a cool, dry place where they are not touching other bags to prevent colour transfer. Purchasing dust bags can help to protect bags that are not in use, and will stop colour transfer between items. However, you should not use a dust bag right away if your bag is wet, and allow it to fully air dry before storing.
Although it is possible that some bags could be machine washed, this is only applicable to cotton tote bags as the entire bag is usually made from the same material. When you notice a stain on your bag, try to act fast before the stain can oxidise, as this will make it harder to remove and more likely to permanently stain.
