Help - can I wash a leather bag in the machine??

[HappyGirlNow]

I have a leather hold all that I managed to spill icing sugar inside (don't ask).. Anyhoo, we're away to a posh hotel tomorrow night and I meant to get it professionally dry cleaned but forgot and left it too late. I have wiped it down, hoovered the inside, but imagine there's still sugar in seams etc and don't want it all over my clothes.. Do you think it'd be ok to pop it in a delicates wash?

If not, it'll be an Adidas hold all as our luggage is in storage and I can't get to it today.. Organised aren't I?

Thanks

[Dontletthemgetyoudown]

I wouldn't. Can you not just put the stuff that's going in the bag inside plastic bags so that it doesn't get any icing sugar on them? no one ill see the Tesco bags inside your nice leather holdall.

[MrsBennetsEldest]

No.you cannot wash leather. Could you put a plastic liner in it to protect your clothes. Or turn it inside out an hang outside to blow in the wind.

[AmethystMoon]

Noooo please don't you will ruin it!

[Trills]

I've washed a fake leather bag and it worked quite well (put towel round outside of drum, wash on the "handwash" setting).

You could wash the bag in the shower to get rid of some more of the sugar.

Either way it's going to take a while to dry out fully.

[AmethystMoon]

Sorry I meant to add that is why we spray leather shoes and bags with protector spray to stop water ruining the leather.

I think hang outside inside out is a good idea if it's not raining of course! Also don't put it anywhere warm...the sugar in the seams will melt = sticky bag!

[HappyGirlNow]

Aw cool, thank you all! I have small white bin liners I could put stuff inside, I'll do that!

I was hoping to avoid the cost too - it's going to be nearly £50 apparently..

[jimjamspam]

I have washed a leather bag and it was OK - delicate wash and then dry very very slowly - away from heat and light

This was a £2 Fossil bag I got in a charity shop though - it was very smelly and so worth a punt. Came up lovely!

[HappyGirlNow]

Thanks jimjam - I was tempted but it cost almost £200 so probably a bit much to risk..

[LadyMaryLikesCake]

Use your hoover and suck it out?

[HappyGirlNow]

Thanks Ladymary I did but it's really hard to get it all out the seams..

[LadyMaryLikesCake]

You could use a brush to move it out of the seams, then hoover. Use the crevice tool attachment. I really wouldn't wash it in the machine, it will destroy the leather and the finish. It's the equivalent to putting a pair of leather shoes in the wash.

Stick tape may also be able to lift off any residue that the hoover can't get.

[starfishmummy]

I would just put the clothes in bags inside the holdall. Mind you I am not sure I would want to be risking walking into a posh hotel leaving a trail of white powder behind me

Happy is it really icing sugar or is that code for something else?

[GoofyIsACow]

I put mine in the washer the other day (an old bag i was thinking of selling so not bothered if it got ruined) it came out as good as new!

[CeeceeBloomingdale]

Can you turn the bag inside out or even just lift the lining out through the opening. Maybe you could get into the seams then or even due a damp cloth on the lining to clean.

[Viviennemary]

I certainly wouldn't put it in the machine. If it was me I think I might hoover out the inside first and then try vanish carpet spray. Not if it was a designer bag worth thousands though! Or I think you might be able to get a dry cleaning type of spray. That would be less than 50.

[mousmous]

yes, but it needs a lot of drying time so willnot be ready tomorrow.

wash inside a pillow case on a wool cycle with a drop of shampoo.
dry really slowly, gently pulling into shape and moving the leather a few times or it will get hard.

[madammecholet]

No, you'll ruin the leather. Just rub seams down with a wet cloth repeatedly until all the sugar is out... or use a wet toothbrush.

[HappyGirlNow]

Thanks all I will put bags inside for tomorrow and try the tips when I get back a like the sticky tape one.. Haha starfish - yes it's definitely icing sugar!!