Can I hand wash a leather bag

[Thenewdoctor]

I’ve a leather bag has some marks on it. I don’t know what they are. I’ve tried leather wipes and the bag is still marked. It’s black and the marks are white.

Can I hand wash it?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Lol

Ok that’s a no then lol

I've machine washed a leather bag to try and get rid of cigarette smoke. It was fine although it still stank of cigarettes.

Machine here too

(disclaimer - I didn't care if it lived or died

It lived, albeit a little distressed

I wouldn't wash it.

I have however used baby wipes on areas of my bags where I felt it needed some cleaning. After the wipes, I used leather lotion to make sure the leather didn't dry out.

Are you sure that the marks are stains and not scratches/scruffs?

I would probably just use some black shoe polish to cover the marks if it was my bag - this is something I have also done in the past.

They’re definitely white marks. Not scuffs.

I’m scared to polish it in case the polish comes off on my clothes. It’s a work bag and I love it it was expensive for me at the time and it has memories. I’m emotionally attached to it.

I have cleaned a leather handbag with household soap and a sponge, and scrubbed it.

Then, I removed the soap scum with a clean microfibre cloth . Used another microfibre cloth to dry it. When it was properly dry, I used some clear leather cream to nourish the leather again.

The white marks, they aren't tipp-ex, are they?

No they’re on the outside I don’t know what they are. They look like paint rub if that makes sense.

mmm... tricky... not sure if just cleaning the bag will remove the marks.

Slightly uncharted territory here but what about using a magic sponge very very very gently on the marks?

I have washed lots of leather stuff . I washed a leather jacket yesterday which is currently drying . It's fine 🤗.... I'm an ex dry cleaner and take a lot of risks but I always use to say to my customers to only risk things you can afford to replace !

It might be leather spew.

lttleathercare.com/2016/04/02/spew-on-leather/

If you heat them with a hairdryer do they go away? If so you can buy spew remover. Or just use clear shoe polish but they may come back.

Omg I think that’s what it is.

Thank you!

You live and learn!

I’m going to try to take a picture. Hold on.

hammering where on earth did you learn about such things?!

Did that work?

It’s not BAD it’s just those 2 areas the other side has none

I’ve ordered a cleaner off amazon

Thank you so much again.

Omg online said you’d know if it was bloom because it would go if you heated the leather. I put the hairdryer on it and look.

The power of mumsnet! Your bag is saved

I'm so glad it worked! I'm a buyer in leather footwear so it's probably not something most people come across but once you know what it is you can rescue so many leather goods that look ruined.