How To Clean Handbags At Home?

Cleaning Handbags at Home in Just Six Steps

Step 1: Prepare Your Handbag for Washing

Clean out your handbag first and remove all the non-usable and old stuff from it. Remove trash and dirt by opening all the pockets and zippers. It is also an apt time to sort out what items you should keep or throw away. 

Next in line is to see the lining of your handbag. So, turn it upside down or pull out the interior to the outside. To clean the dust and crumbs, you can use a lint roller or the fabric brush of your vacuum cleaner to clean the inside and outside of your fabric handbag.

Step 2: Time to Clean the Lining

Use a sponge that has been soaked in hot and soapy water to wipe the lining. However, if your handbag is made of lather then, be cautious not to wet the lining at this step.

Perfect Time to Clean the Debit and Credit Cards

While you are cleaning the lining of your handbag, take some time to disinfect your cards. Research has shown that they are the dirtiest belongings in your handbag. You can use the old soap and water to clean it. Or to get rid of the viruses from the cards, utilize EPA sanctioned disinfectant. 

How many Times to Clean Handbags at Home

Once a week is enough to keep your handbags clean. But, if you are not feeling well, then clean it quite often. If you are in a hurry, then clean the handles and the bottom portion of your bag thoroughly as they are the dirtiest parts.

Step 3: Wiping Your Handbag

After cleaning the lining of your handbag, you should use a clean and soft white cloth that has been rinsed in water to wipe down your bag. Do not use colored cloth as they can leave the dye on the fabric of your handbag.

Step 4: Tackle Heavy Stains and Soiled Areas 

After wiping down your handbag, if there are stubborn stains or soiled areas on the bag, use one drop of dishwasher liquid in one quart of water and dampen your clean cloth in that solution to blot the dirty areas.

If stains still remain, use a toothbrush and dip it in soapy water to scrub the dirt clean. Use another clean, dampened wet cloth to wipe away any detergent residue. Sometimes, different stains need different treatments.

Foundation

Do not use any wet cloth to clean foundation stain from your handbag. It will just make the stain worse. Instead, use a kitchen towel to wipe as much foundation as you possibly can.

Lipstick

Clean the lipstick stain with a wet cloth dampened with liquid detergent. It will remove the stain as quickly as possible.

Pen

Removing a mark of a ballpoint pen is a little bit tricky. Use a cotton bud dipped in methylated spirit and gently drab it on the stain. But wet it too much as it can spread the ink. Firmly blot the mark with a paper towel.

Step 5: Cleaning the Hardware

Now, it is time to clean the hardware to make your handbag as good as new. Utilize a good quality brass cleaner or metal polish to make your handbag shine. Try to use a light hand due to the metal base of the hardware.

After dipping a cotton swab in the metal polish, apply it. Then, use a clean white cloth to wipe away the tarnish. Be vigilant to keep the cleaner away from your handbag as it can discolor the fabric of your handbag.

Step 6: Air-Dry Your Handbag

Keep your bag away from heat or sunlight and air-dry it. You can fill the handbag with white tissue paper to hold its shape. Do not use newspaper or colored papers as the ink can transfer. Do not utilize your handbag while it is damp because it will pick up more stains.

Conclusion

In the end, all I can say is that take care of your handbag and learn how to clean your handbag at home. Remember, different fabrics have different needs. For instance, while canvas bags can be hand-washed, leather bags need cotton balls and alcohol to clean them properly.