Leather products have always been in demand. Almost every woman has at least one accessory made of genuine leather. And like every thing, a leather product must be kept clean. But, this is a very delicate material and requires special care. Let's look at the most effective and common ways to clean a leather bag.
The need to clean leather bags
It's no secret that a women's accessory should always look perfect. After all, it is this detail that is the final element of the image. When purchasing such items, it is best to purchase in advance the necessary brushes, special spray, washing and moisturizing creams.
For fresh stains or splashes of dirt, for some types of material, it will be enough to wipe with a damp cloth. But, there are also products that do not tolerate moisture, bad weather conditions, and with frequent use, abrasions may appear. In such cases, in order for the item to last for many years, it would be a good idea to adhere to some of the recommendations described below.
Periodicity
How often you have to clean the bag largely depends on how often it is used, as well as on the color, type of material and in what weather conditions it was worn. Often, stains appear on the surface, which are subsequently covered with dust and are difficult to remove. To avoid this, the accessory requires daily care.
Unlike dark ones, bags in light shades require frequent care.Before use, a women's accessory should be treated with a protective cream and wiped with a damp cloth after returning from the street. Products made of nubuck and suede should be wiped with a soft rubber brush and steamed from time to time, this will add freshness and improve their appearance. Regular care of the accessory will eliminate the need to wash it from serious, hard-to-wash dirt.
How to clean a bag at home
The cleaning procedure depends on the characteristics of the material of this wardrobe item. Therefore, for each type, it is necessary to choose the right washing methods. Before using a previously unused method, you need to try it on a small, inconspicuous area, since some methods can discolor. How to clean different types of material at home, we will consider in more detail.
Smooth genuine leather
The most common method for removing dirt is a soap solution. A simple and affordable method, prepared from water and any liquid soap, dishwashing liquid and other harmless hygiene products that can be found in every home. First, wipe the material with this solution and wipe dry. Additionally, you can prepare a mixture of one liter of water and 1 teaspoon of citric acid. Process and dry. Clean off dust with a velvet dry napkin.
Soft genuine leather
For this type, dishwashing liquid and ammonia are suitable. The solution is prepared as follows: add a tablespoon of ammonia and detergent to one glass of water. Then, apply with quick movements to the problem area and wipe dry with a rag.Wipe with a dry woolen cloth from time to time; this method is suitable for any material.
Velours
To care for velor, you need a special brush that will gently clean without causing harm. The ammonia and soap method described above is also suitable here. For greater effect, you can additionally treat it with a mixture of a tablespoon of vinegar and citric acid, diluted with a liter of water.
Nubuck
This material is not compatible with water, so it is best to wipe dirt off it with a brass brush. First, you should steam the item for a couple of minutes. This makes it easier to remove dust and the pile will rise noticeably.
Suede
Even a drop of water can leave marks on suede items, so wearing them in rainy weather is not recommended. For care, it is best to purchase a special brush for suede. To quickly clean light stains, a regular eraser or talcum powder will do. At home, a solution prepared from a teaspoon of ammonia and a spoon of water will help you treat it. You need to wipe the suede quickly, not allowing moisture to be absorbed.
Artificial
This type requires a special approach. It is not recommended to use various solvents. After exposure to alcohol or acetone, the item will probably deteriorate. Therefore, the best option would be to purchase a special spray to keep it clean. Shake off dust with a dry velvet cloth.
Varnished
Items made from this material are quite easy to clean. Simply wipe with a clean cloth or soapy water. Rubbing with baby soap also gives a good cleansing effect. Cow's milk can also be used for surface treatment. A patent leather bag is not at all suitable for wearing in winter.There is a high probability that the top layer will crack from exposure to cold. It would be a good idea to apply a protective cream before use. The use of gasoline is not permitted.
Artificially aged
Resistant to external influences, can be washed in any known way. Using a soapy solution will do. And also, for additional care, wipe with a soft sponge soaked in glycerin. Cosmetic products are also suitable for care: facial milk, creams, emulsions.
Changing color
Washing in water, using chemical solvents and alcohol may cause color changes. A special coloring spray or cream will help to refresh the faded look. Such material should be handled with extreme care and, in this case, extremely gentle methods are suitable: sanitary napkins, a woolen rag. And if the color changes, choose a cream to match the tone.
Reptile leather and embossed
It has a delicate soft texture, so it is not recommended to use hard brushes and various solvents on it. Rubbing with wool gives a good cleansing effect. Products of this kind have a textured surface; in order to avoid the accumulation of dirt, it is recommended to clean the surface every day, and for more thorough care, use a cotton swab pre-soaked in ammonia.
Features of cleaning bags of different colors
When removing stains from colored bags, you need to act extremely carefully. Due to the influence of some methods, the item will probably lose color.
Black and dark colors
Elements of black and dark colors can be cleaned with coffee or a piece of dark bread, wiping the problem areas.Thanks to the use of coffee grounds, the color will become much darker, all small scratches will be hidden and a pleasant coffee aroma will appear.
White
Using a product based on hydrogen peroxide and ammonia, you can get rid of dirt and dust. And a regular stationery eraser will help restore the color; you just need to wipe the surface; you can also use a facial toner. Rubbing with egg white, previously diluted with fresh milk, will give additional whiteness.
Red
For red bags, a mixture of water and ammonia is very effective; a teaspoon of ammonia is taken per glass of water. After wiping the stains with this mixture, it will be useful to additionally wipe with a vinegar solution.
Beige
Products used for white bags are also suitable here; in addition, solutions from laundry soap, skin milk and lemon juice will preserve the color, and hydrogen peroxide has an additional whitening effect.
Colored
To clean off dust and dirt without harming the color, ordinary onions will help, cut into pieces and rub the surface, then wipe with a damp swab and moisten with Vaseline.
Removing stains
Methods for removing stains depend on the complexity and age of the stain. Before using radical methods to remove stains, it is still worth starting with more gentle methods.
Fat
Talcum powder is suitable for removing greasy stains. For best effect, apply talcum powder and leave overnight. You can also find special substances for removing greasy marks on sale. From suede, velor and nubuck, greasy stains will come off when exposed to talcum powder, starch, loose chalk, absorbing fat.
Old
You can try to remove the stain by soaking a cotton pad in alcohol, or rubbing it with soap without soaking it. Another way is to use makeup remover. Get rid of stubborn stains using vodka, lotion, and alcohol wipes. It is enough to wipe the stain with a cotton swab slightly moistened with the substance.
Ink
When removing ink blots, you can try using lemon juice. A mixture of 200 ml of milk and a spoon of baking soda gives a good effect.
Others
You can try removing stains that are difficult to remove with ammonia. Be careful not to damage, use gasoline or alcohol for particularly problematic areas. Laundry and baby soap are especially popular.
What methods of cleaning leather products are prohibited?
When caring for such products, it is important to remember which methods should not be used:
- It is not advisable to use various solvents such as gasoline, acetone, kerosene. If there are serious stains, these methods are effective, but there is a high risk that the solvent will damage the external structure;;
- It is also forbidden to rub with a hard brush;
- Do not dry on heating appliances, in the sun, or near hot appliances. In this case, the top layer may crack;
- Use household chemicals, especially those containing abrasives.
Can bags be washed in a washing machine?
Leather items cannot be washed in a washing machine; they may become dull and change shape. You can wash the contaminated areas or the lining separately with your hands; it is not recommended to wet it again.
Cleaning the lining
First of all, you need to start cleaning the product by cleaning the lining. To do this, you need to remove all the contents from the pockets.When cleaning the lining, you will need: about a liter of warm water, pour in detergent until thick foam appears. Turn the lining inside out and dip it in the solution. Leave for 15 minutes, then start hand washing, without wetting the outer layer. Rinse thoroughly and dry at room temperature. If there is a bad smell, add a couple of drops of rubbing alcohol during washing.
Basic rules for daily care of leather products
To ensure that your favorite accessory does not lose its original appearance for many years, daily care is necessary. After each wet wash, be sure to wipe dry and try to wet as little as possible. Do not overdo it with moisturizing creams, apply with a cotton swab, in small quantities, to avoid streaks. Carrying out daily procedures described below will help protect the product.
Cleaning the surface from dust
It is enough to wipe it every day with a napkin, soapy water, trying not to wet it too much, gentle cleaning with wool will help get rid of dust. And also with the help of special rubber brushes.
Refreshing the lining
When cleaning the lining, it is not necessary to take it out and wash it every time. For daily care, wiping with a cotton pad, previously moistened with alcohol, is suitable, you can also use a vacuum cleaner. Experts recommend wiping the lining daily with hygienic wipes for disinfection.
How to remove dirt
Remove dirt with a damp cloth or makeup remover. From suede or nubuck, wipe dirt with a brass brush. It is worth waiting until the dirt dries and brushing it off. .
The harm of complete wettingWhen cleaning the lining you will need: about a liter of warm water, pour in detergent until a thick foam appears. Turn the lining out and dip into the solution. Leave for 15 minutes, then proceed to hand wash without getting the outer layer wet. Rinse thoroughly and dry at room temperature. If there is a bad smell, add a couple of drops of medical alcohol during washing.
Basic rules for daily care of leather products
To ensure that your favorite accessory does not lose its original appearance for many years, daily care is necessary. After each wet wash, be sure to wipe dry and try to wet it as little as possible. Do not overdo it with moisturizing creams; apply with a cotton swab, in small quantities, to avoid streaks. Carrying out the daily procedures described below will help protect the product.
Cleaning the surface from dust
It is enough to wipe it every day with a napkin and soapy water, trying not to get it too wet; gentle cleaning with wool will help get rid of dust. And also using special rubber brushes.
- Refresh the lining
- When cleaning the lining, it is not necessary to remove it and wash it every time. For daily care, wiping with a cotton pad soaked in alcohol is suitable; you can also use a vacuum cleaner. Experts recommend wiping the lining daily with sanitary napkins to disinfect.
- How to remove dirt
- Remove dirt with a damp cloth or makeup remover. Wipe off dirt from suede or nubuck with a brass brush. You should wait until the dirt dries and clean it up. .
- The harm of getting completely wet
Experts do not recommend getting leather items too wet; it is enough to wipe them with a cloth slightly moistened with water and wipe dry afterwards. Frequent exposure to moisture may cause it to become dull and lose its original shape.
- Others
- To protect the surface, it is recommended, after complete cleaning, to treat the entire surface with a soft sponge soaked in glycerin. Thus, a protective film is formed on it, which will protect it from external adverse influences. You can also use regular moisturizer from your cosmetic bag, castor oil, or Vaseline.
- It is best to store leather products in special bags, avoiding direct sunlight or away from heating devices. To prevent the item from losing its shape, fill it with paper or special fillers.
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- Leather care products
- Cleaning products must be selected with care. Consider skin tone and type. It is quite easy to spoil this material, so you need to use detergents with extreme caution. Having previously read the instructions for use.
- Specialized
- On store shelves you can find many useful products for caring for leather products:
Water-repellent substances, the application of which will allow you to wear the item in any weather conditions;
