How to clean a leather bag?

[acatcalledjohn]

I post this with the appropriate level of shame at having to admit it got to this

How on earth do I clean this without ruining the leather? I tried the cleaner from Timpson but with no luck.

It's my favourite bag. Please send tried and tested methods.

Saddle soap?

I tried everything and ended up putting it in the washing machine. Do not do this!

I was going to suggest saddle soap too.

Whatever you use, try it on a small, less obvious part of the bag first. I successfully cleaned a biro mark off my handbag but it took the colour off too. I’ve used a leather cleaner on shoes that really worked but changed the shade of the leather - that wasn’t so bad as the whole shoe went the same shade!

I used the Astonish Premium cleaner for the successful clean.

Have a look at this .

Car leather cleaner?

Thanks for the suggestions. Saddle soap sounds like a good first option and a long term cleaner, but I will also watch the video before I buy anything.

Luckily this is the back of the bag so some minor discolouration will not be the end of the world.

I also have a brown leather bag that could do with a decent clean. I have used leather cleaner but I think it seems to pick up more dirt since I've used it.

But washing a leather bag in water?
(I watched the video, thank you pp)

Why have I always thought this would ruin the bag...