I'd estimate that one third of all the handbags and purses we
receive have ink stains on the interior lining(s).
This one third rule of thumb seems to apply whatever the source
-- whether the handbags are dropped off at our facility for in-store
service, whether they are picked by our local pick
up and delivery service, or whether they arrive by UPS, FedEx
or U.S. Post Office via our nationwide
clean by mail service.
For the most part, we have been quite successful
removing stains from the linings of our clients' handbags and
purses. These stains include not only ink stains but other common
water-based and oil-based stains as well -- candy, food, beverage,
cosmetic, etc.
Here's one example of ink stains on the lining of a
handbag that we successfully removed....
Our client sent in a Gucci GG fabric handbag with
brown leather trim. Apart from the red dye stains that had rubbed
off on the handbag from a pair of red jeans, the primary lining, as
well as the zippered cosmetics pouch attached to the primary
lining, was littered with small ink stains. Our primary concern in
cleaning this handbag was not the red dye transfer. Our concern was
whether the ink stains on the two linings could be removed.
The following before and after photos -- with
special emphasis on the linings -- reflects the transformation of
this handbag from stained to spotless:
BEFORE
AFTER
Of course, it's not possible to always remove all
ink stains. The reasons are varied:
* The ink may not be soluble with water-based ink
stain removers.
* The ink may not be removable with solvent-based
ink removers.
* The ink may not be removable with special
spotting agents specially formulated for ink stains.
Occasionally, the ink may not be removable because
the lining used in the construction of the handbag might be
incompatible with professional cleaning.
Take this Bottega Veneta red leather tote, for
example.....
The red leather was heavily soiled, the corners
were scuffed, the outer leather was scratched, the leather strap
was missing a key piece of hardware that held the strap in place,
and, according to our client, the strap was about nine inches too
long.
After examining the handbag, we recognized that
cleaning, refurbishing and repairing the exterior of the handbag
would be relatively easy. The real challenge would be removing the
ink stains from the paper-like, faux suede "fabric" that was used
in the construction of the lining. Why so? Because the coating that
had been applied to the paper-like, faux suede would, in all
probability, rub off before we were able to remove the ink
stains.
Upon further testing of the faux suede "fabric", we
concluded that the lining was uncleanable, that the quality of the
"fabric" used in the construction of the lining detracted from the
overall appearance of the handbag, and that the lining was coming
to the end of it's useful life and would probably tear with
continued use.
With the consent of our client, we decided to
completely replace the lining using a heavy duty duck canvas in a
tan color that harmonized with the brilliant red exterior.
The following before and after photos -- with
special emphasis on the linings -- reflect the
transformation:
BEFORE
AFTER
Here are photos of some of the paper-like, faux
suede lining we removed from this Bottega Veneta handbag:
(lining photos here)
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.
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.
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.
For the most part, we have been quite successful removing stains
from the linings of our clients' handbags and purses. These stains
include not only ink stains but other common water-based and
oil-based stains as well -- candy, food, beverage, cosmetic,
etc.
Here's one example of ink stains on the lining of a handbag that
we successfully removed....
Our client sent in a Gucci GG fabric handbag with brown leather
trim. Apart from the red dye stains that had rubbed off on the
handbag from a pair of red jeans, the primary lining, as well as
the zippered cosmetics pouch attached to the primary lining, was
littered with small ink stains. Our primary concern in cleaning
this handbag was not the red dye transfer. Our concern was whether
the ink stains on the two linings could be removed.
The following before and after photos -- with special emphasis
on the linings -- reflects the transformation of this handbag from
stained to spotless:
BEFORE
AFTER
Of course, it's not possible to always remove all ink stains.
The reasons are varied:
- The ink may not be soluble with water-based ink stain
removers.
- The ink may not be removable with solvent-based ink
removers.
- The ink may not be removable with special spotting agents
specially formulated for ink stains.
Occasionally, the ink may not be removable because the lining
used in the construction of the handbag might be incompatible with
professional cleaning.
Take this Bottega Veneta red leather tote, for example.....
The red leather was heavily soiled, the corners were scuffed,
the outer leather was scratched, the leather strap was missing a
key piece of hardware that held the strap in place, and, according
to our client, the strap was about nine inches too long.
After examining the handbag, we recognized that cleaning,
refurbishing and repairing the exterior of the handbag would be
relatively easy. The real challenge would be removing the ink
stains from the paper-like, faux suede "fabric" that was used in
the construction of the lining. Why so? Because the coating that
had been applied to the paper-like, faux suede would, in all
probability, rub off before we were able to remove the ink
stains.
Upon further testing of the faux suede "fabric", we concluded
that the lining was uncleanable, that the quality of the "fabric"
used in the construction of the lining detracted from the overall
appearance of the handbag, and that the lining was coming to the
end of it's useful life and would probably tear with continued
use.
With the consent of our client, we decided to completely replace
the lining using a heavy duty duck canvas in a tan color that
harmonized with the brilliant red exterior.
The following before and after photos -- with special emphasis
on the linings -- reflect the transformation:
BEFORE
AFTER
Here are photos of some of the paper-like, faux suede lining we
removed from this Bottega Veneta handbag:
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.
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.
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.