How to Clean Your Designer Handbags: A MAYFEYR Guide

Imagine this. You’ve finally purchased the designer handbag of your dreams. It arrives safe and sound in your arms. The next day, you take it out and proudly flaunt it to your friends and family as your latest luxury purchase.

But after some time, you begin to wonder how to take care of it and keep your precious handbag clean, especially when dust, grime, and dirt can gradually build up on its exterior.

From different materials such as leather, nylon, and canvas to interior linings, exteriors, and hardware, there are specific ways to keep your designer bags clean and protected from unwanted damage. Here are the right ways to do it.

General Cleaning

The general rule of thumb for cleaning your designer handbag is to use only a dry microfiber cloth. First things first, empty your bag completely and gently dust it off to remove any loose debris and other remaining stuff then allow it to air out to eliminate any unwanted odours. If your bag does get wet, make sure to dry it immediately with a soft cloth.

Interior Cleaning

Now we’ve come to the intricate details. Since cleaning the interior is just as important as cleaning the exterior, here is a simple and helpful piece of advice you can follow.

For the interior, turn the bag’s lining inside out and use a lint roller to remove dust and dirt. Next, you can deep clean it by using a vacuum cleaner with an attached brush to remove any smaller debris you might have missed from previous cleaning. 

Exterior Cleaning: Leathers, Fabric, and Suede

As luxury designer bags often feature a mix of materials and fabrics on the exterior, each requires a more specific approach to cleaning than the interior. 

For leather exteriors, it is generally recommended to use fragrance-free, alcohol-free wipes, such as leather wipes or baby wipes to remove dirt and residue without drying out the material.

If you choose to use a leather cleaner or a mild soap mixture on a damp microfiber cloth, it is wise to test it first. Gently wipe a small, discreet area, such as the bottom of the bag, in circular motions to check for any discolouration before proceeding to clean areas like the handles and corners. Use another clean, damp cloth to remove any residue and allow the bag to air dry.

Once the bag is completely dry, you can apply a leather conditioner with a clean cloth to keep the leather moisturised, helping it maintain its rich and supple appearance.

Elsewhere, for fabric exteriors made of canvas, tweed, nylon, and satin, you can typically use a lint roller or tweezers to remove smaller debris stuck on the surface. But for suede exteriors, the general rule is to use a specialty brush to clean the exotic material and then use a suede conditioner to help renew the suede and preserve its soft, velvety finish.

What About Hardware?

We often consider the hardware the “crown” of the bag, as it plays a key role in both function and overall design, with fashion houses like Celine, Fendi, and Valentino known for their eye-catching logo hardware. 

To clean your luxury handbag hardware, you can use several methods, such as baby wipes, a soft brush, or a microfiber cloth with a mild soap solution. For heavier tarnish, you can use a specialised metal polish brand like Brasso. Apply a small amount to a cotton swab and gently buff away the tarnish, then wipe off any residue with a clean, damp cloth and… voilà, the hardware looks sparkly once again.

How To Store & Add protection

For long term care, you can protect your leather bag by using an appropriate leather cream, as it provides a protective layer over the leather and helps shield it from superficial scratches, according to British Vogue.

It is also important to avoid exposing your bag to direct light, heat, humidity, rain, and rough surfaces, as advised by Gucci’s official website. When not in use, it’s advised to store your handbag in its original dust bag and keep it upright to help maintain its shape over time, as designer handbags are indeed a long-term investment.

Now that you know how to properly care for your designer handbags, start the New Year in style and shop your next coveted piece only at MAYFEYR.