The most common stains we see on leather or leather-trimmed
handbags and purses are water-based stains.
Water-based stains include everything from bottle water, tap water,
rain (from drizzles to monsoons), soda, juice, wine and coffee to
household cleaning agents such as laundry bleach, window cleaners
and dishwashing liquids.
Every fashionista has a "solution" that's "worked" for them in the
past. They'll tell you all about magic erasers, saddle soaps, mink
oils, pumice-based hand cleaners, moisturizing creams, shampoos,
hair conditioners, leather furniture cleaners, automotive leather
seat cleaners, sandpaper, etc. The list is endless.
On the flip side of the coin, for every advocate of one of these
miracle remedies, you find someone who strenuously disagrees.
They'll tell you that you should never use magic erasers,
saddlesoaps, mink oils, pumice-based hand cleaners, moisturizing
creams, etc.
A member of purse forum recently proposed this "solution" to a
water stain on a leather handbag as a result of rain:
"Take a dish cloth, hold it under the tap, wring it
out (it should not be too wet) and lay it over the bag for 1 night
(the moisture will go in the leather). Then let the bag dry, not in
the sun but at room temperature. The water stains will blend
in."
I don't think so.
Here's the bottom line on water-based stains on leather or leather
trimmed handbags and purses: Different leathers react differently
to different water-based stains. There are just too many variables
involved, such as the type of leather used, the type of pigments
used, the type of water-based stain(s) involved, etc. Rarely, if
ever, will a "one shot" solution solve the problem.
Our experience with water-based stains boils down to this: you may
be able to lighten the stain to the point that it's not too
noticeable. Maybe.
The very best solution, however, is to
* clean the handbag or purse inside and out
* "redye" the handbag or purse a color that closely
matches the original color of the leather
* recondition the leather to enhance it's
suppleness.
Here are two examples of handbags with water-based stains that we
have recently restored:
FERAGAMMO LEATHER HANDBAG
BEFORE
AFTER
PRADA LEATHER HANDBAG
BEFORE
AFTER
Please note that the above mentioned clean/redye/recondition
solution does not apply to Louis Vuitton monogrammed canvas coated
handbags and purses with natural cow hide leather trim. For more
information on these Louis Vuitton handbags and purses, see here
and here.
For many more examples of handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks
that we've recently cleaned, please enter HANDBAG CLEANING in the
search engine at the top right of this page.
By the way, if you're looking for a handbag cleaning specialist,
please remember this: All handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks
should be cleaned BY HAND. Never BY MACHINE. And, then, only by a
cleaner who specializes in these accessories. And, the only way to
ensure that the cleaner does, in fact, specialize in these
accessories is to make sure that the cleaner has a FULL TIME
handbag and purse cleaner ON PREMISES.
RAVE FabriCARE is the only cleaner in Arizona and one of the very
few in the USA that employs a full time handbag cleaner whose sole
job is to hand clean handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks.
Unlike other cleaners, we'd never clean by machine and we'd never
send your accessories to outside third parties for cleaning. That
way we're able to deliver the very best technologically achievable
results and return your items, in most cases, in a week and a half
to two weeks.
How can I help you?
To comment on this post, please use the comment section
below.
To ask a question relating to any of your garments or accessories,
please email us.
Water-based stains include everything from bottle water, tap
water, rain (from drizzles to monsoons), soda, juice, wine and
coffee to household cleaning agents such as laundry bleach, window
cleaners and dishwashing liquids.
Every fashionista has a "solution" that's "worked" for them in
the past. They'll tell you all about magic erasers, saddle soaps,
mink oils, pumice-based hand cleaners, moisturizing creams,
shampoos, hair conditioners, leather furniture cleaners, automotive
leather seat cleaners, sandpaper, etc. The list is endless.
On the flip side of the coin, for every advocate of one of these
miracle remedies, you find someone who strenuously disagrees.
They'll tell you that you should never use magic erasers,
saddlesoaps, mink oils, pumice-based hand cleaners, moisturizing
creams, etc.
A member of purse
forum recently proposed this "solution" to a water stain on a
leather handbag as a result of rain:
"Take a dish cloth, hold it under
the tap, wring it out (it should not be too wet) and lay it over
the bag for 1 night (the moisture will go in the leather). Then let
the bag dry, not in the sun but at room temperature. The water
stains will blend in."
I don't think so.
Here's the bottom line on water-based stains on leather or
leather trimmed handbags and purses: Different leathers react
differently to different water-based stains. There are just too
many variables involved, such as the type of leather used, the type
of pigments used, the type of water-based stain(s) involved, etc.
Rarely, if ever, will a "one shot" solution solve the problem.
Our experience with water-based stains boils down to this: you
may be able to lighten the stain to the point that it's not too
noticeable. Maybe.
The very best solution, however, is to
- clean the handbag or purse inside and out
- "redye" the handbag or purse a color that closely matches the
original color of the leather
- recondition the leather to enhance it's suppleness.
Here are two examples of handbags with water-based stains that
we have recently restored:
FERAGAMMO LEATHER HANDBAG
BEFORE
AFTER
PRADA LEATHER HANDBAG
BEFORE
AFTER
Please note that the above mentioned clean/redye/recondition
solution does not apply to Louis Vuitton monogrammed canvas coated
handbags and purses with natural cow hide leather trim. For more
information on these Louis Vuitton handbags and purses, see
here and
here.
For many more examples of handbags, purses, wallets and
backpacks that we've recently cleaned, please enter HANDBAG
CLEANING in the search engine at the top right of this page.
By the way, if you're looking for a handbag cleaning specialist,
please remember this: All handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks
should be cleaned BY HAND. Never BY MACHINE. And, then, only by a
cleaner who specializes in these accessories. And, the only way to
ensure that the cleaner does, in fact, specialize in these
accessories is to make sure that the cleaner has a FULL TIME
handbag and purse cleaner ON PREMISES.
RAVE FabriCARE is the only cleaner in Arizona and one of the
very few in the USA that employs a full time handbag cleaner whose
sole job is to hand clean handbags, purses, wallets and
backpacks. Unlike other cleaners, we'd never clean by machine
and we'd never send your accessories to outside third parties for
cleaning. That way we're able to deliver the very best
technologically achievable results and return your items, in most
cases, in a week and a half to two weeks.
How can I help you?
To comment on this post, please use the comment section
below.
To ask a question relating to any of your garments or
accessories, please email us.