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Original poster

Leather handbag in washing machine

22 replies

Filiboom · 15/09/2017 10:07

I have what was a very lovely pale grey handbag from Whistles that I bought in the sale a few years ago. It is now very grubby and I don't really use it as I am somewhat embarrassed by its state (and have a much more sensible black bag!). I asked a local drycleaner about getting it cleaned, but it would be around £40, which it isn't really worth any more, with no guarantee that it would look much better.

I read somewhere recently about putting leather bags through the washing machine to get them clean. I'm willing to take the gamble, but before I do so, has anyone got any tips as to what products/wash cycles/etc are best? Thank you!

OP posts:

SuburbanRhonda · 15/09/2017 10:14

You'll ruin it.

Why not clean the outside with baby wipes as best you can, then turn the lining inside out and clean it gently with laundry hand wash liquid?

Floisme · 15/09/2017 10:15

I've just put a Coach leather bag through the washing machine. I bought it in a vintage shop but it smelt faintly of cigarettes and, as I'd only paid £20 for it, I thought it was worth the risk. I just put it in a pillow case and did it on 'Quick wash' - 40 degrees (I did think about using the delicate cycle but I was worried it would never dry.) I've just been to check on it and it's survived! It's a bit stiff but, hopefully nothing a rub with a bit of beeswax won't sort out. Smell has gone too.

Original poster

Filiboom · 15/09/2017 10:21

Thank you! I've tried the baby wipes but the muck is engrained. I'm at the stage where I'll risk ruining it as it will otherwise remain unused and no charity shop would take it, but I would like to give it the best chance I can!

Floisme - did you just use regular washing powder?

OP posts:

Puffpaw · 15/09/2017 10:22

You'll ruin it. Just get some leather cleaner and conditioner on amazon and clean it yourself. It will take some time though.

Puffpaw · 15/09/2017 10:23

Use a soft toothbrush with the leather cleaner on the ingrained dirt.

AdoraBell · 15/09/2017 10:26

I was going suggest a soft tooth brush too.

Floisme · 15/09/2017 10:27

Yes normal washing powder Flilboom. I thought there was no point in half measures as I can't stand the smell of cigarettes. (I'm normally much more careful when I buy vintage but I was in a hurry.) My only concessions were the pillow case and using a shorter cycle.

polarbear33 · 15/09/2017 11:25

please update on how you get on!

Original poster

Filiboom · 15/09/2017 12:02

Thank you all - now feeling conflicted! Have just started a busy new job and don't really have the time (or inclination!) to spend an evening cleaning it, but feel I should....

Suspect it will continue to sit in the cupboard for a while, but will update if it does go through the machine!

OP posts:

moreshitandnofuckingredemption · 15/09/2017 12:10

I put a tan one through the machine on a delicates setting with some liquid detergent, it came out stiff as a board but is fine now and much cleaner. It is a bit paler than it was originally. I'd tried leather cleaner but it didn't really do anything, hence the nuclear option. I'd do it again.

Silverstreaks · 15/09/2017 14:01

I've washed leather coats, a handbag and a suede shirt in the washing machine. They all survived the process but just a bit stiff when they dried out.

FinallyDecidedOnUserName · 15/09/2017 14:04

Same as Silver

gunsandbanjos · 15/09/2017 14:08

I know several people who have put Mulberry's through the wash. As above it can make the leather a bit dry but they all came out ok! You'll need to moisturise it afterwards most likely.

Canadalife · 15/09/2017 14:08

We used to wash sheepskin that DD slept on then she was a newborn. We used wool cycle with some v little washing powder and some thing in the rinse....might have been lanolin. If you google washing leather there is good info.....good luck

Floisme · 15/09/2017 16:10

I've just given mine a polish with beeswax (from the cobblers) and it's softened up nicely. Looks fine, feels fine, smells fine.

As far as I was concerned there was nothing to lose as I wasn't going to use it as it was, smelling of cigarette smoke. I also felt that if it wasn't going to survive a machine wash then it wasn't right for me anyway. My bags have to work for their living.

CalmanOnSpeeddial · 15/09/2017 17:02

If you've got nothing to lose then you might as well shove it in on a delicates cycle with some woolite or similar non-bio washing liquid. What's the worst that can happen? An unwearable bag continues to be unwearable. But best case scenario you get your lovely bag back. I agree to repolishing with good quality neutral shoe polish or beeswax when you've finished.

PacificDogwod · 15/09/2017 17:06

I'd do it.
But I wash anything in the washing machine that does not jump out of the way!

I used to have special lambskin shampoo for when PFB slept on a sheep skin, let me have a look.

PacificDogwod · 15/09/2017 17:08

It wasn't this particular brand but sounds quite similar
It avoided the stiffness

humanfemale · 15/09/2017 17:11

I've put a leather bag through the wash without any problems. I'd had it dry cleaned which did nothing, so it was my last resort!

Just buy some dubbin and make sure you put plenty on the leather as soon as it's out the wash (I did it when still wet).

mumoffour1716154 · 15/09/2017 17:24

Picture please

mumoffour1716154 · 15/09/2017 17:25

Have you tried this

ilovecherries · 15/09/2017 17:52

Ive washed a leather bag. I put it in a pillowcase, 40 degree wash, non bio powder (and no fabric softener) although I don't know if the last two were important. Air dried and then a good rub leather food. It was hard initially but softened a lot and looked fine. It was a charity shop find though - fossil tote for a fiver. After I got it home I realised it had a really unpleasant smell, so it was going in the bin anyway had it not worked.

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