A white bag made of genuine leather is an eternal classic that never goes out of fashion; it always looks expensive and elegant. This accessory is especially relevant in the summer, when light-colored clothes and shoes are in trend. But the item that goes with such a wardrobe often gets dirty and needs special care. That’s why articles and videos on how to clean and wash a white leather bag at home are so popular. The following describes the most effective and simple ways to help restore a light, exclusive product to its original appearance.
Traditional methods
To save your favorite accessory, it is not always necessary to go to expensive dry cleaners. You can easily cope with the task at home, but the result will only be achieved if you react immediately, because the stain is much easier to clean when it is still fresh.
Eraser
Using an eraser, you can get rid of almost any stain, provided that it was formed recently. To do this, rub the contaminated area with an eraser and then blot it with a damp cloth.
If you have an eraser with two types of surface, do not use the blue one intended for ink removal. In this case, this is fraught with the appearance of abrasions and a change in the shade of the leather material.
Soap solution
A soap-based solution is one of the most common and easily available products that does an excellent job of removing impurities on the skin. To achieve the result, follow these steps:
- Grate about 30 grams of laundry soap (can be replaced with baby soap) and add 50 ml of fairly warm water. Stir until the chips are completely dissolved.
- Soak a cotton pad in the resulting product and wipe the damaged area. Then remove any remaining foam with a soft, damp cloth.
Tip: to give the product a pristine shine and rid it of yellowness, it is recommended to add a couple of drops of ammonia to the soap solution.
Window cleaner
Specialized preparations for cleaning mirrors and glass make it possible to remove any stains on the surface of the skin extremely quickly and effortlessly. To achieve the result, you should generously spray the cleaning agent onto the contaminated area and leave it in this state for several minutes, then remove the liquid with a cloth or napkins. If necessary, the procedure is repeated.
Hydrogen peroxide
The use of this medication allows you to cope mainly with fingerprints from oily hands and traces of cosmetics. To do this, you need to generously moisten the sponge with a sufficient amount of peroxide and walk over the surface that needs cleaning.
Onion juice
Another “grandmother’s” remedy for combating greasy stains, as well as ink marks.
In this case, you can go in several ways:
- For the first method, the onion is cut into two halves, and then the contaminated area is rubbed with it. Once the result is achieved, the dirt and remaining juice are washed off.
- The second method involves using onion puree. To do this, the vegetable is grated, and the resulting juicy pulp is laid out on the stain for a while, after which it is removed, and the treated area is carefully washed.
Toothpaste
It is recommended to use toothpaste with a whitening effect as a cleaning agent, but you should avoid containing various abrasive particles that can spoil the appearance of the leather product.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Apply a sufficient amount of paste to a soft-bristled brush and spread over the surface, rubbing lightly.
- Rinse with water.
Advice: if the dirt is deeply ingrained, leave the paste on the accessory for a day to achieve a 100% result.
Milk
To remove stains from light skin, you can also use milk, for which the product is heated to a temperature of 40°C, and then applied to the area that requires cleaning.
Makeup remover
You can return your handbag to its former decorative qualities using milk or makeup remover lotion. To do this, apply the required amount of cosmetic product to a cotton pad and gently wipe off the dirt. Residues should be removed with a damp cloth.
Talc or chalk
Oily stains actively eat into the surface of the skin and sometimes cause difficulty in removing them. Bulk preparations of identical shades, which are designed to absorb moisture, will help deal with them. These are chalk or children's talc.
- Apply a thin layer of powder to the stained area, rub in a little with your fingers, and then shake off the grains.
- Repeat the procedure, but this time leave the powder on the area for half an hour to react.
- Remove with soapy water.
Aftershave
Another cosmetic product that can tidy up your favorite reticule. To do this, apply aftershave to the dirt for 20 minutes, and then remove the residue with a lint-free rag.
Dishwashing liquid
The use of such gels and liquids is quite suitable for quickly getting rid of stains on your bag.
- Rub a couple of drops of the drug into the dirt, cover with plastic.
- Leave on average for half an hour. Afterwards, wash it off.
- If necessary, duplicate the actions.
Grapefruit
The use of this citrus is due to the acid contained in the juice, which is considered a natural cleanser. In addition to it, you can use lemon with the same success.
- Squeeze a small amount of juice from the fruit and apply to the dirty surface.
- Wash away the corroded stain using a delicate sponge.
Advice: be sure to test this product on an inconspicuous area of the accessory before cleaning - this is necessary to identify possible undesirable reactions of the material to the component.
Milk and protein
You can enhance the effect of milk by adding whipped chicken protein to the product. To do this, you need to follow these simple instructions:
- In a bowl, beat the egg white, adding three tablespoons of milk.
- Apply the mixture to the contaminated area.
- Leave until a dry crust appears. Rinse it off.
Some tips
You might find it useful: how to whiten underwear, how to remove a wine stain, how to lighten jeans at home.
In order for your favorite bag to please the eye for as long as possible, regardless of the type of material from which it is made, it must be looked after regularly.
- When you return from a walk, clean the accessory from street dust.
- Dry the bag at natural temperature.
- Have wet and dry wipes with you - fresh stains can often be easily wiped off. Even if there is a trace left, it will be easier to clean than an old stain.
- Use proven methods for getting rid of stains, don’t take risks, don’t try aggressive products that destroy pigment and fiber structure.
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Chemicals
If it was not possible to remove dirt from your favorite bag using delicate methods, then you can resort to using chemical preparations. In some cases, they will not only allow you to bring your favorite item back to life, but will also prevent the aggressive effects of external factors on the fabric for some time.
Features of cleaning leatherette and real leather
Unlike natural materials, leatherette and eco-leather have a relatively short service life. However, the advantages include the ability to use a wider range of cleaning products.
Among these, for example, are in demand:
- Foam cleaner “Salton” (requires subsequent rinsing, suitable only for products with a smooth surface).
- Lucky Bee (gets rid of old stains, creates a protective layer, restores color).
- Etamine du Lys (colorless, contains beeswax, is environmentally friendly, protects and restores the surface).
These products are perfectly applicable to products made from natural materials. For artificial leather, not only preparations for natural leather are applicable, but also various stain removers and powders with abrasive particles.
But products containing chlorine should be avoided for any materials, regardless of origin.
- Acetone . The use of solvent is strictly contraindicated on natural fabrics. It does not pose a danger to leatherette.
- Vinegar. It is also not recommended to use to combat dirt on real skin. To clean artificial fabric, you need to treat the stain with a swab and then wash it with water.
- Nail polish remover. To give a genuine leather product its former shine, it is better to choose a bottle marked “without acetone.”
- Paint thinner. This product is suitable for daredevils or in an extremely critical situation, and only for artificial canvas. This is due to the high acetone content in the composition.
- Alcohol. Can be used in rare cases and with great caution. However, if you have to fight old stains, it is preferable to use ammonia.
Important: before using any product, be sure to test it in an area hidden from view, so that you don’t have to throw the item away later.
Natural suede
It is recommended to soak a new suede product with a water-repellent compound, which is sold in many shoe and accessory stores, and you can also purchase a special suede care brush with which you need to clean the bag after each wear.
Cleaning a light-colored product made of natural suede is more difficult than leather, but it is also possible. If there are no dirty spots, but you just need to update the color and remove shine, then skim milk with a teaspoon of soda, as well as a solution of ammonia and water will help. A regular eraser, rubber brush or fine-grained nail file can help remove shiny areas. For the best effect, it is recommended to first hold the bag over steam.
Don't be upset if you get a stain on your light suede bag. It is easy to remove fat from suede using regular starch: sprinkle it on the stain, leave it for an hour, and then carefully, with smooth movements, work the area with a rubber brush.
Old stains of unknown origin can be removed with the same starch, but with ammonia: mix them in equal quantities until thick, apply to the stain and leave until completely dry, and then remove the composition with a brush.
It is necessary to dry suede products in the same way as leather ones - without using a hair dryer or battery. In addition, remember that it is strictly forbidden to squeeze or twist them!
How to update an old bag
Even if your favorite handbag has seen a lot and has scuffs or scratches, do not rush to give up the accessory. There are several proven methods that you can follow to restore your product to its former attractiveness.
- Prepare a solution of ¼ cup white vinegar and two tablespoons of ammonia, and then wipe the stained area with the resulting solution. Leave for 15 minutes, then rinse. However, a similar method is not possible for varnish products.
- Professional leather paints will work a miracle, restoring the shine to any, even shabby, handbag. Before painting the accessory, you need to clean the surface as much as possible with soapy water.
Tip: to preserve your handbag until next season, keep it in an individual bag and, if possible, wipe it with glycerin or any other water-repellent agent.
Using any of the methods listed above, it is also possible to refresh light-colored leather clothing that cannot be washed to prevent the item from losing its shape.
White, like black, is always in fashion; it goes well with any other shades and symbolizes impeccable purity. A snow-white leather bag will invariably have a presentable appearance and emphasize your elegance if you take proper care of it in a timely manner and treat this item with care. And expert advice will help you with this.
Fresh stain on a light accessory - what to do
It is very easy to get a clean bag dirty on the street or on public transport. Before you have time to look back, a dirty spot is already showing off on the snow-white surface. There is no need to panic, the dirt can be removed. Fresh dirt can be treated with a damp cloth, which every woman probably has in her purse.
If, for example, you are splashed on the street by a passing car, and drops of dirt get on your bag, you need to wait for the dirt to dry. Then clean the dirt first with a dry cloth, then with a damp one. Stubborn stains should be removed at home.
Also, fresh stains upon arrival home can be removed using the following means:
- Ammonia. A soft cloth is moistened in the product and the dirt is wiped off with it. After which the problem area is wiped with glycerin or regular cosmetic skin cream.
- Glass cleaner. The liquid is sprayed onto the surface of the bag. Rub the stain with a brush or rag for several minutes.
- Melamine sponge. This is a special sponge designed for washing dishes, capable of destroying the most difficult stains. Therefore, it is useful for owners of white leather bags to purchase such a sponge.
- Bulb. The vegetable must be cut in half and the halves thoroughly rubbed on the contaminated area. But after this method, a specific smell remains, which can be eliminated with vinegar or alcohol.
