How to properly maintain a leather bag at home, remove stains and clean
Few people know how to properly care for a leather bag. To maintain a beautiful appearance, a care product is selected depending on the type of product. You can also use simple home remedies to remove blemishes and keep your skin looking great. Your dream bag will keep you happy for as long as possible with some tips below.
Rules of daily care
For a leather product to last as long as possible, you need to consider the following:
- Too much water damages the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to occasionally treat the surface of the product with special sprays and creams. Before transporting the bag, wait until the product is completely dry. Do not dry with a hair dryer.
- In order for the product to retain its shape as long as possible, it is not recommended to carry heavy objects on it. Skin stretches and deforms over time.
- Using perfume to create a pleasant scent is not the best solution.
- When storing your bag out of season, you should find a dark but well-ventilated place. You cannot store a leather product in a bag.
It is also necessary to properly clean the bag from dirt. Aggressive substances such as alcohol, acetone, gasoline are not suitable for care and cleaning.
How to clean properly
Proper care will allow you to wear the accessory for several years. The first thing to consider is the texture of the material. The bag can be made of smooth, wavy or even high-quality leatherette, which also needs to be cared for.
Smooth
To properly care for smooth skin, you need to have a special soft cloth in stock. It can be dampened, but dry cleaning is a good way to deal with minor contamination. If the stains are heavy, you can use an ordinary dish sponge and soapy water. For wet cleaning, a weak solution of citric acid is used, which is prepared on the basis of the proportions of 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of water. When finished cleaning, wipe the leather accessory with a clean, dry cloth.
Leatherette with a quilted surface
Most often, all nubuck or velor bags have a quilted surface. Such material looks very attractive, however, it requires maintenance. To remove rain stains, as well as grease stains and dust accumulations, you should use a special soft brush.
If a large and difficult to remove oil stain appears, you can try to treat it with a special spray or an ammonia solution.
A teaspoon of alcohol is diluted in a glass of water, after which the bag is wiped with a soft cloth.
Lacquered handbag
In order for the lacquer accessory to retain its elegant and luxurious appearance as long as possible, it is recommended to wear it only in warm weather, but not in hot and cold weather. With constant wearing at temperatures below -15 and above +25 degrees, elasticity is lost and the skin cracks.To clean varnish from stains and maintain a presentable appearance, it is recommended to use only creams and special aerosols.
With aging effect
At first glance, artificially aged materials may seem easy to wear, but certain nuances must also be observed. Such a bag repels moisture well and is easy to restore. If a large indelible stain has appeared, it is enough to rub it well with a coarse material and wipe the stain with the coating. However, it is recommended to store the women's accessory in a dark place so that the leather does not crack even more.
Embossed models
Today, relief versions of reptile skin are popular, but they require special care. You should wipe the product with a damp cloth soaked in alcohol, it is not recommended at home.
You can use a soft, dry cloth to remove light stains.
Characteristics of the maintenance of the material of various colors
The care method is also chosen based on the color of the product. When cleaning white skin, it is important not to stain it further, so it is recommended to use non-staining agents.
white
White leather products are cleaned only with mild, non-corrosive products. Alcohol and citric acid are not suitable in this case. The best way is to use a homemade egg white/milkshake mixture for cleaning. Then all dirt is removed with a soft cloth.You can use a regular damp cloth if the stains are small.
brown
There are many specialty cleaners available for cleaning brown items, but regular coffee grounds can be used. It is wrapped in a cloth and used as a brush. The plus is that all stains are removed and a pleasant chocolate tint appears. Immediately after processing, the surface should be wiped with a damp cloth or an ordinary cloth soaked in water.
Black
Black classic models are cleaned with lemon juice. It is only important to use a small amount of juice, diluting it with water. The skin should not be completely wet. Immediately after removing stains, wipe the surface with a dry cloth.
Methods for removing stains
Simple and versatile ways to remove stains from leather products:
- once a week, it is recommended to wipe the bag with plain water mixed with a little soap. This helps to keep the product fresh and remove accumulated dust;
- if the stain is old, you can use special products from the store, but it is better to clean the bag dry;
- Wet wipes are often effective at removing fresh stains, so take the wipes with you.
There are also several ways to remove stains, depending on their type.
bold
Before removing the stain, wipe the entire product with a damp cloth and dry it. If the fat just got in, you can use to remove:
- baby powder;
- starch;
- salt;
- talc;
- crushed chalk;
- a soda.
Dishwashing detergent works too. But it is not recommended to keep it on a leather product for a long time.If the stain is not removed, it is wiped with a halved onion, after which the contaminated area is cleaned with a napkin.
Ballpoint pen
Simple methods to remove ink stains:
- The fresh pen drawing can be quickly wiped off with a soapy cloth.
- For stubborn stains, use hairspray, vinegar, regular eraser, baking soda and lemon juice.
- Skin cleansing wipes can also remove pen marks.
It is recommended to test any means before indoor use, so as not to damage the product.
Lipstick
A few drops of liquid soap are applied to a soft cloth and moistened with water. Then, with careful circular motions, wipe away the lipstick mark. This is enough to completely remove the stain. After drying, it is recommended to apply a special cream.
What you should not do
In order not to damage your leather bag, you cannot:
- use undiluted caustic products such as alcohol, lemon juice;
- remove stains from a white and black bag in the same way;
- rub the stains with the rough side of a sponge or brush.
It is also not recommended to overexpose a remedy, even an appropriate one. After 5-10 minutes, the composition is washed off, after which the bag should be wiped and dried again.
How to store at home
Bags designed to be worn in the winter or summer season should be stored properly so that the skin does not lose its elasticity and color. The best way to store your bag is to put it in an open cabinet. An important condition is that the product should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
To protect your bag from dust, you can use a light and breathable bag. A tight stuff sack is not suitable. Also, to keep the bag in shape, you need to put crumpled newspapers or a small pillow in it.
Eliminates unpleasant odors
To eliminate stubborn unpleasant odors, you can use special neutralizers sold in the store or choose an option from the list:
- the easiest way is to use potassium permanganate. It is necessary to moisten a cotton ball in a solution diluted with water and wipe all smelly areas;
- wipe the bag with the zest of an orange or lemon;
- fill the bag with dry soda and shake it after a few hours, it's important to make sure the soda doesn't get wet.
You can carry scented sachets in your bag.
Common Mistakes
It is widely believed that if the bag gets wet, all stains can be easily removed. This is a big mistake. When wet, a leather bag quickly loses its shape and the skin begins to crack after drying.
It is impossible to wash a bag in a typewriter, it is better to use the available tools.
Another common mistake is to use general bag care tips. It is imperative to take into account the structure of the skin, color. Suede and varnish can be cleaned in different ways, but only with soft brushes and soft cloths.
Tips & Tricks
Simple tips for caring for leather accessories:
- In order for the product to retain its appearance and not crack, you need to grease the bag with petroleum jelly or fat cream.
- Store only on a flat surface; suspension by the handle is strictly discouraged.
- Shoe creams are not suitable. It is best to use regular baby cream.
- If the bag gets very wet in the rain, you should put as many newspapers in it as possible and put it in a dry place, but not near the battery.
- Lacquered products are not worn every day, they are an outing accessory. After each use, it is recommended to treat the product with a special cream.
- The liner also needs maintenance and cleaning. It is recommended to turn the holder over, wipe with soap and water and dry.
The leather bag is not machine washable. Even in the "lightest" mode and at low temperatures, the product will be damaged. It is important not to overdo it carefully and only occasionally wipe the surface from dust, as well as remove all stains.