Leather purses are not cheap, so if you find one for a great price at the thrift store, it’s worth cleaning before wearing. This guide will show you how to clean leather purses from thrift stores using everyday household items.
Try to Find Leather Purse in Good Condition
First things first, you need to check if the leather purse is in good condition. If your purchase was made online, it would be hard for you to assess its quality without seeing photos of a real product or a video tutorial. In this case, try to find some reviews from other customers who have bought and used the same model before deciding whether it’s worth purchasing.
Required Gear to Clean Leather Purse from Thrift Store
Naturally, you will need some things to clean the purse with. If your purchase was made online without seeing it in person, be sure to read all product descriptions carefully and choose models that can be cleaned using simple household items instead of complicated chemical solutions. Here are the tools you might need:
- a soft cloth or sponge
- water
- dish soap or laundry detergent for leather
- a knife/scissors if necessary due to any damages on a material surface
Damage Types of Leather Purse from Thrift Store
Before you start cleaning, make sure to identify what kind of damage is on the surface. The following types are the most common:
Scratches
These might appear after storing your purse in a bag or drawer where sharp items were present; they can also occur if other objects like keys and coins rub against leather material. They’re not very obvious but should be treated as soon as possible because scratches will become more visible over time due to stains caused by food spills or dirt that settles into small cracks, making them deeper and harder to clean up later. If there’s no relief from gentle rubbing with fingers, use fine sandpaper for this purpose. Besides using abrasive materials, it’s important not to clean the leather purse before it dries because water might stain the surface.
Water Stains or Rust Spots
If you notice stains caused by water, rust spots, or any other types of staining when cleaning your purse for the first time, do not panic! There is a simple solution to get rid of them. Soak gauze in hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the stained area, then rub gently with your fingers or a toothbrush if necessary. Let the purse dry for several days before using it again.
Pen Marks
If there are pen marks or other writings on your purse, grab a cotton ball and some rubbing alcohol to get rid of it. Apply the alcohol directly on the writing with gentle motions until you erase them completely. Then let everything dry before using your purse again!
Useful Tips and Tricks
When you start cleaning, be sure to use a clean sponge or soft cloth that has been soaked in warm water mixed with some dish soap or laundry detergent for leather (do not add ammonia because it will harm the material). Afterward, rinse off any residue and pat dry your purse using a paper towel before applying conditioner if needed. Be aware of how much product you need; better too little than too much!
You can apply small amounts on different areas at once without wiping excess away since this might cause stains underneath, especially if there’s dirt on the surface like dust particles that absorb moisture, making them harder to remove later. Instead, try adding more liquid to your cloth or sponge and continue rubbing the surface gently.
If you notice scratches, don’t rub them too hard because this will worsen the damage; try applying fine sandpaper on the spot instead, which will help to reduce scratching. Afterward, clean it with a soap water mixture like described above before using a leather conditioner for optimal results!
FAQ
Can a leather purse be washed?
Yes, but make sure not to use too much liquid when cleaning it.
What’s the best way to clean a leather purse?
Using a sponge or soft cloth that has been soaked in warm water mixed with dish soap or laundry detergent for leather (do not add ammonia because it will harm material), apply small amounts of product on different areas at once without wiping excess away since this might cause stains underneath especially if there’s dirt on the surface like dust particles which absorb moisture making them harder to remove later and then rinse off any residue and pat dry your purse using a paper towel before applying conditioner if needed.
Can I use bleach on my new black leather bag?
No! Bleach is used only when you want to lighten something. In this case, you want to clean it and darken the leather.
Is nail polish remover bad for a fake leather purse?
It depends on what type of material your bag is made from but tries not to use anything other than water when cleaning any parts because other chemicals might damage them further!
Related Video: How to Clean Dirty Leather Hand Purse Bag at Home?
Final Thoughts
As you can see, cleaning leather purses is not that hard as long as you have patience and follow simple steps hassle-free. So now go ahead and pick up those old designer bags at second-hand stores near where you live and give them a new life!
We hope our guide helped you understand how to clean your leather purses safely by yourself without spending too much money on expensive cleaners. If this was helpful for you, please share it with your friends who might also find this useful!
