Help! I need to clean my suede handbag...

[MrsThierryHenry]

...but don't want to risk dry-cleaning as the last time I dry-cleaned suede, it cost a bomb and fell apart!

Any eco-friendly tips? No specific stains, just generally looks a bit mucky (though it's dark - aubergine-coloured, so I could prob get away with it).

hi mrsTH! Have you got any of the stuff from shoe shops - like a little block of, i dunno what it is it looks like an eraser and doesn't cost a fortune, couple of quid max. (this is where you say that the handbag is enormous) I use one for cleaning DD's pale pink suede piedro boots and if it can clean that it'll clean anything!!

I have got that (hellooooooo back!), but I tried it once and it scratched the pile off a pair of shoes! Am not going to risk damaging my lovely Jigsaw bag!

ooops. p'raps not then.
can't you just leave it grubby? as you say, aubergine-coloured won't show anything up
my mother would have an answer for you, blardy bicarb or vinegar or something (well these are her usual tricks, weird thing is that they work) if i have a working brain cell i may well ask her tomorrow, just from pure nosiness...

Have you tried a baby wipe?

And a toothbrush when it's wet to lift the pile again?

Well, I've left it covered in bicarb, will scrub it off today.

Zazen - baby wipe + toothbrush. Now there's an idea worth trying! That'll be my next option if the mighty bicarb doesn't do the trick.

Thanks MNers!

chalk to pull out the grease / dirt

normal pencil eraser to wipe the lot off

works a treat

Thanks, fellow Mrs T!