How to Clean the Inside of a Leather Purse?

Most people don’t know this but research shows that the average handbag is filthier than a toilet seat. That’s why it’s so important to clean your favorite purse regularly, especially if you carry it on a daily basis. Sure, you might clean the leather exterior regularly, but what about the inside of the bag? That needs a little TLC too otherwise it can turn into a filthy deposit of dust and debris.

Think about it; you keep all sorts of stuff in your bag from snotty tissues and gum wrapper to crumpled up receipts and loose change. Therefore, it’s safe to assume that over time it can get a little murky in there. Yet, most people don’t think to clean the interior of their handbag even though it’s filled with harmful germs.

Why not turn over a new leaf and make it a habit to clean your leather bag inside and out?

Here are some helpful tips and tricks on how to clean inside of a leather purse.

1. Empty the Purse

The first thing you should do is take out all the items in your handbag and turn it inside out to shake out any remaining debris. Then, wipe the fabric lining with a clean damp sponge while it’s still inside out. Make sure that the sponge has been through hot soapy water and only use a gentle detergent.

Avoid getting the sponge too wet because you don’t want your bag lining to get wet after all.

2. Drape the Lining

It’s important to make sure that the lining dries up quickly so that it doesn’t develop any mold. To fast-track the drying process, use a hair dryer, hang it in an airing cupboard or drape it over a radiator. If you have an unlined leather bag then you have your work cut out for you because you can just apply some upholstery cleaning spray and wipe away.

3. Use Soapy Water for the Interior

At least once a week you should give your bag a good wipe down using a soft damp cloth that you’ve dipped in warm soapy water. This should keep the exterior of your leather purse spotless.

4. Use Only Proper Cleaners

Although convenient, vinegar, wet baby wipes, and other home remedies can damage your leather bag. That’s because most of them contain harmful chemicals and other substances that can dry out your leather or cause its color to fade out. These “solutions” can also cause grime to accumulate in your bag because they don’t provide proper cleaning.

5. Use Professional Leather Cleaning Agents

Experts recommend using a professional leather cleaning agent, especially if you’re dealing with tough stains and dirt. The best part about using these creams is that you don’t have to rinse them out afterward and they won’t cause any damage to the materials. Although pricey, these products are worth it.

6. Be Careful with the Material

When it comes to cleaning leather, it’s important to only use products that are specifically created for use on the material. This means that your leather cleaner won’t do anything for more fibrous materials like nubuck or suede, which is what bag interiors are commonly made of. Rather get a cleaner that’s designed to work on these materials.

7. Take Care of the Smells

If you notice an unfamiliar and even ghastly odor emanating from your bag from a half-eaten health bar or another food item, use an odor remover to get rid of the smell. However, you should only use gentle products that are designed for use on leather and avoid aerosol odor removers or solvent based products to avoid damaging the color and material.

8. Put Baking Powder Inside the Bag

One of the best and cheapest odor removers is baking powder. It’s also easy to use, as all you have to do is pour it into a small pillowcase and place it inside your bag for 24 hours. By the next day, your bag will smell fresh as a daisy!