How to clean a leather bag at home

Leather bag - a mandatory attribute in both female and male wardrobe. First, products of this kind are distinguished by practicality at the expense of increased wear resistance, and secondly, a purse made of genuine leather gives the image solidity and a sense of completeness. The bag will serve you faithfully for many years only if you take care of it properly. Like any other thing, the skin eventually fades, gets dirty and erased, so you should approach the cleaning process with full responsibility.

General recommendations

1. If there are greasy stains on the bag, splashes from passing cars, dust and dirt, the product should be wiped well. To do this correctly, rub a little baby soap on a fine grater, pour boiling water on it and wait 10 minutes. When the composition is completely dissolved, pour 2 ml.ammonia and mix. Fold the bandage in several layers, moisten it in a solution, squeeze a little and wipe the contaminated places. Walk on the surface of the product with a damp sponge, so as not to leave streaks, then wipe dry with a lint-free cloth. When the cleaning step is complete, use skin softeners.
2. If the bag is in good condition, with the exception of small droplets or dust, use a milk or tonic to remove makeup. Moisten a cotton swab in the product, clean the places of dirt, wipe the surface dry with a soft cloth. If possible, use cosmetics designed for the eyes, it is more gentle than all the others. Discard products that contain large amounts of alcohol.
3. During use, scratches, scuffs and creases appear on the surface of the leather bag. They will not be able to hide, unless you use decorative patches or rhinestones. In this case, buy a leather goods or shoe softener in the store to match the color of your bag. Before direct application, test the composition in a separate area to avoid possible errors.The cream usually gives the skin a dullness, if, in your opinion, the bag should shine, rub it with a sponge for shoes with a twinkle effect.
4. It is very important to use emollients for the skin to prevent the very cracks and creases. The product requires special care in summer and winter. To preserve shine and elasticity, as well as visually update the thing, wipe it with liquid glycerin. Apply a little on the cosmetic tampon, walk across the surface, wait half an hour. After this period, polish the product with a soft, lint-free cloth. If you do not have glycerin on hand, use petroleum jelly, castor oil, or fat free hand cream. The method of application is identical.
5. When you apply a tinting cream or a softening compound, carefully monitor the amount. Leather products absorb only a part of the product, everything else remains on the surface, dries and turns into ugly spots / stains. If, due to inexperience, you made such a mistake, lubricate a cotton swab with olive oil and wipe the product several times. Then clean the surface with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Leather bag cleaning technology

Consider a general technique that involves the passage of 2 stages: cleaning the lining and removing stains. The technology is the same for all skin types.

Stage number 1. Shoe lining

1. Before proceeding with the procedure, empty the bag and carefully check the small pockets. If you miss this moment, there may be a coin inside, which later oxidizes and leaves traces of rust. Prepare a soap solution: mix 80-100 ml. liquid soap / shampoo with 400 ml. warm water, stir to foam. Turn the lining fabric inside out (if it is not detachable), put it in a container with a solution, leave for 10 minutes. After the expiration date, wipe the product with your hands, try not to fall on the leather parts. It is not necessary to prepare a solution, take a wide kitchen sponge, apply liquid soap or shampoo on the soft side, wipe the lining. In both cases, the procedure is completed by thorough rinsing and drying away from ultraviolet.
2. It is not necessary to wash the lining with foaming agents, which are then difficult to wash out. If the fabric is not very dirty, fold the bandage in 4-5 layers, soak it in medical alcohol or vodka, then wipe the surface of the lining.As a rule, the upper part is most dirty, so pay special attention to it.
3. On the road or on an airplane, you can clean the lining with ordinary antibacterial wipes. It is enough to wipe the inside several times, then leave to dry. Of course, the method is only suitable for long flights / crossings, since all the contents need to be pulled out.

Stage number 2. Staining
Stains often appear on the surface of the bag, which later become covered with dust and become visible. Consider universal methods of cleaning leather products.

1. Talc or chalk. In cases where the stain has appeared recently, get baby powder without fragrances in a pharmacy. Spread it out for contamination, wait at least half an hour, then gently remove with water and a soft fiber brush. If talc is not at hand, use white chalk. Crush it into a powder, spread on the spot and leave for a quarter of an hour.
2. Aftershave. Apply a small amount of lotion on a cotton pad, treat contaminated places, leave for 10 minutes.Try not to distribute the composition to clean skin areas, especially if the product is not of a natural tint (colored surface). Wash off with a damp cloth, wipe dry and treat with emollient. It is advisable to make a test on the invisible part of the product before using the lotion.
3. Dishwashing liquid. The composition applies to any type of skin, whether suede or lacquer. Apply a small amount of "Fae" on your finger, grease them with stains, put a piece of food film on top. Leave for half an hour, then rinse with a damp sponge. In cases with complex and old stains, you will have to sweat a little, repeat the procedure 2-3 times.
4. Grapefruit. Squeeze out some citrus juice, soak a cosmetic tampon in it, wipe the stain. If the contamination is strong, mix the juice of grapefruit and lemon in the same proportions, but be sure to make a test before using the composition. Lemon can whiten the skin, resulting in a stain. After you remove the dirt, wipe the surface of the bag with a damp cloth.

How to clean a bag of patent leather

Patent leather is not less resistant than matte without any coatings.However, products of this kind require not only cleaning, but also polishing, otherwise the surface will fade.

1. Pollution bags come off quickly enough from a lacquer bag; you just have to wipe the surface with an antibacterial cloth and then polish it with a wool cloth. To keep the coating for years to come, buy a special wax (spray, spray) for patent leather in a shoe store or in the leather goods department. Cover the bag according to the instructions, but at least 1 time per week.
2. The second option involves the use of ordinary onions. For dark bags you should prefer vegetables of yellow and burgundy color, white onions are suitable for light products. Cut one medium onion into 2 parts, wipe the stain with it, then remove the mixture with a damp cloth, polish.

Important!
You can not clean the surface of the product with a tonic or lotion for removing makeup, face and hand cream, alcohol tinctures. It is categorically not recommended to wear a varnish handbag in winter at temperatures below -10 and in summer above +25. Means for softening, adding shine, smoothing wrinkles should be chosen only on a water basis, otherwise you risk damaging the product.

You can not wash the leather bag in the machine and use a hard brush to remove stains from its surface. If you encounter dirt on suede, rub it with coffee grounds or apricot seed particles.

Video: how to remove ink stain from a leather bag