How to clean a leather purse without water stains

Step by step: how to clean a leather purse without water stains

1. 1

   Check the leather type and test spot

   Read the care card or label and look at the finish. Smooth, coated leather (most everyday purses) is forgiving, while unfinished or aniline leather darkens when wet and suede needs a brush instead. Pick a hidden spot, like the underside of a flap or the bottom, to test every product first.

2. 2

   Empty it and clean the lining

   Take everything out, turn the lining out if it pulls free, and shake out crumbs over a trash can. Vacuum the corners with a brush attachment or roll them with a lint roller. Spot clean fabric lining with a cloth dampened in soapy water and let it dry before you close the bag.

3. 3

   Dust the outside

   Wipe the whole purse with a clean, dry, soft cloth to remove dust and grit. Grit rubbed in during cleaning scratches the finish, so do this before any product touches the leather.

4. 4

   Clean the leather in small sections

   Put a small amount of leather cleaner on a cloth, not on the bag, and wipe one panel at a time with light, even strokes. If you use soap instead, work up a foam from mild soap and distilled water on a barely damp cloth and use only the foam. The leather should look evenly clean, never wet or darkened.

5. 5

   Wipe off the residue

   Go over each section with a second clean cloth to lift off loosened dirt and leftover cleaner. If you used soap, blot with a cloth dampened with plain distilled water. Do not rub hard, which can burnish or lift the color.

6. 6

   Clean the handles and corners with extra care

   Handles and corners hold the most hand oil and grime. Work cleaner in with a cotton swab around the stitching and hardware, then wipe it off. Wipe metal hardware with a dry cloth so cleaner does not dull it.

7. 7

   Let it dry naturally

   Stuff the bag loosely with tissue paper so it keeps its shape and let it air dry for 30 to 60 minutes away from sun, heaters and hair dryers. Heat dries leather out and can make it crack.

8. 8

   Condition the leather

   Rub a pea-size amount of leather conditioner into the leather with a clean cloth in small circles, covering the whole bag thinly and evenly. Let it absorb for the time on the label, then buff off any excess. Skip conditioner on suede and nubuck.

How to remove common stains from a leather purse

Act fast and blot, do not rub. La-Z-Boy’s leather care advice says to attend to spills quickly, blot instead of rubbing, and clean with a mix of half mild soap and half distilled water worked into a foam, then blot off the soap with a cloth dampened only in distilled water. For harder stains it recommends a professional leather cleaner.

What should you not use on a leather purse?

Avoid anything that soaks, strips or scratches: lots of water, household sprays, baby wipes, magic erasers, vinegar, bleach and heat.

• Too much water. Bellroy says to wipe leather with a clean, dry cloth rather than a damp one, because leather absorbs excess moisture. If it gets wet, blot off the water and let it dry slowly out of direct sunlight, without rubbing or using a dryer, then condition it once dry.
• All-purpose sprays and disinfecting wipes. They often contain alcohol or strong surfactants that dry out leather and can lift the finish.
• Magic erasers. They are a fine abrasive and can rub the color and top coat off leather.
• Heavy oils. Olive oil and coconut oil can darken leather unevenly and turn rancid. Use a product made for leather.

Frye’s leather care guide also notes that leather should be clean and dry before you apply any product, and that a weatherproofing spray adds a barrier against water, oil and stains once the bag is clean.

How cleaning differs for suede, patent and pale leather purses

Suede needs a dry brush, patent needs only a damp wipe, and pale or unfinished leather needs the gentlest touch and a test spot every time.

• Suede and nubuck. No water, cleaner or conditioner. Brush with a suede brush and lift marks with a suede eraser. Our suede guide covers the brush and eraser method.
• Patent leather. Wipe with a damp cloth and a drop of mild soap, then buff dry. Keep it from touching other bags, since color transfers onto patent easily.
• Pale, aniline or vegetable-tanned leather. These absorb everything and darken with water and oils. Use a cleaner labeled for that leather, test it, and accept that natural leather develops a patina.
• Designer or heirloom bags. When the bag is valuable or the stain is large, a leather specialist or the brand’s repair service is the safer choice.

How to store a leather purse so it stays clean

Store it stuffed, in a breathable dust bag, upright, and away from heat and sun.

Fill it with tissue paper so it keeps its shape, put it in a cotton dust bag (not plastic, which traps moisture), and stand it on a shelf rather than hanging it by the straps. Keep it away from radiators and sunny windows; La-Z-Boy suggests keeping leather at least 12 inches from heat sources to keep it from drying and cracking.

Mistakes to avoid

• Spraying cleaner straight onto the bag instead of onto a cloth.
• Using a soaking wet cloth, which leaves water rings and stiff spots.
• Skipping the hidden test spot on pale, unfinished or designer leather.
• Drying it with a hair dryer or in the sun, which dries the leather out.
• Conditioning suede, or piling on so much conditioner that the bag turns sticky.
• Using baby wipes or disinfecting wipes on the leather.