How to Clean a Leather Purse

Our clients often come to us for advice on how to clean a leather purse to minimize any potential damage. In our opinion, you should always seek out professional luxury cleaners like us to clean something that complicated, but regardless we’ll cover how to clean a purse made of leather at home, including how to clean purse lining and exterior detailing.

A step-by-step guide to cleaning a leather purse

Follow each of the steps below, and be sure to gather all of your supplies before you get started.

You’ll need:

•        Sponge (no abrasive materials); may also use a soft rag
•        Gentle dish soap
•        Distilled water, warm
•        A small bowl
•        Dry towel
•        Leather conditioner

Step one: Empty your purse.

The first step to cleaning your leather purse is ensuring that it is completely empty. Remove all items from the purse; be sure to check in all pockets.

Step two: Shake the purse out.

The bottoms of purses have a habit of collecting debris. Shake the purse out over a garbage bin, or use a small hand-held vacuum to suck up anything that might be hiding out at the bottom of your bag.

Step three: Make your cleaning solution.

In your small bowl, combine two cups of warm distilled water with two drops of gentle dish soap. Stir the cleaning solution until the soap is incorporated and suds rise to the top.

Step four: Clean the leather.

Dip your sponge or rag into the cleaning solution and slowly wipe down your purse, being sure to go with the grains of the leather. Once you’ve cleaned the entire exterior of the purse, take your dry towel and remove any excess soap or moisture. Repeat with purse lining, being sure to never get the lining too damp.

Step five: Dry your purse.

Let your purse air dry, making sure to keep it out of direct sunlight. You can speed up the process by using a hair dryer on its cool setting (never use hot air on your leather).

Step six: Condition.

Apply your leather conditioner to your cleaned purse, once again being sure to apply with the grain. Cleaning your leather removes the oil from its pore, which is why it’s crucial that you follow up any cleaning efforts with a dedicated leather conditioner.

What if there’s a stain?

If you have any stains on the leather of your purse, try removing them with your cleaning solution first. If that doesn’t work, dab at the stain with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Let dry and condition as normal.

Regular cleanings are important for keeping your leather purse in the best condition possible and prolonging its lifespan. But, this particular material is known for its cleaning complexity and one wrong move will end up ruining an expensive item. While the above steps may work, you should really get in touch with a professional cleaner like Cameo.

Our team has experience working with these high-end handbag brands that use delicate fabrics. We can tackle any stain or mess and can get your leather bag looking good as new. We can also help you learn how to clean suede. Purse and handbag restoration is extremely tricky, so let us handle these for you.

Get in touch today to inquire about our luxury handbag cleaning service offerings and other cleaning specialties. We look forward to working with you and helping make sure that your most beloved pieces last forever. New clients are always welcome.