How to Clean a Leather Bag without Leather Cleaner (2024)

You’ve invested in a leather bag. But you’re not up for investing in a pricey leather cleaner. We get it. We also know your bag needs to be cleaned. Here are a couple of ways to clean leather bags with some common household products.

Regular maintenance cleaning:

Olive oil + white vinegar: shake together in a spray bottle, lightly mist leather bag, and wipe clean with a dry cloth.

Moisturizing soap: rub a damp cloth over a bar of moisturizing soap (like Dove), then bring to lather on the surface of your leather bag. Wipe/buff clean.

To remove spots:

Rubbing alcohol: dip a cotton swab into rubbing alcohol and rub over the spot.

Cuticle remover (not nail polish remover): dip a cotton swab into non-oily cuticle remover (again, not nail polish remover); leave it on overnight and then wipe off with a damp cloth.

Lemon juice + cream of tartar: use these to create a paste and work into the spot with a soft cloth. Let sit if needed, then wipe clean.

As always, test any of these suggestions on a small, inconspicuous area of your bag first. Also, if you’re dealing with a particularly difficult spot or stain, it’s worth it to bring your bag to a leather specialist for cleaning rather than risk permanent damage with homemade cleaning experiments.

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    How to Clean a Leather Bag without Leather Cleaner (2024)

    FAQs

    How to Clean a Leather Bag without Leather Cleaner? ›

    Olive oil + white vinegar: shake together in a spray bottle, lightly mist leather bag, and wipe clean with a dry cloth. Moisturizing soap: rub a damp cloth over a bar of moisturizing soap (like Dove), then bring to lather on the surface of your leather bag. Wipe/buff clean.

    How to clean a leather purse without leather cleaner? ›

    To clean the leather, mix a solution of warm water and dish soap. Dip a soft cloth into the solution, wring it out and wipe the exterior surfaces of the purse. Use a second clean, damp cloth to wipe off the soap. Dry with a towel.

    What can I use if I don't have leather cleaner? ›

    The easiest homemade leather cleaner can be made from two natural ingredients: equal parts white vinegar and warm water. If you have a stubborn stain, blotting a mixture of water and mild dish soap can help. (Don't aggressively scrub a stain though—that could damage the leather.)

    What household products can you use to clean leather? ›

    Mild soap and water.

    If you can, use saddle soap to give your leather a deeper clean. But if you can't get your hands on it, dilute mild unscented hand soap or dish soap in water as a replacement. You can then dampen a washcloth with the soapy solution to gently remove stains.

    How do you clean a leather bag without damaging it? ›

    Soap Solution: Combine warm water and a few drops of mild soap or a leather cleaner. Avoid using aggressive detergents or chemicals that can harm the leather. Wipe Down: Soak a soft cloth in the solution and wring away excess water.

    What should you not clean leather with? ›

    Leather is a robust material, but you can harm it if you clean it improperly. Harsh chemicals, abrasive cleansers, and products containing alcohol or silicone should be avoided since they can dry out and damage the leather. Instead, use a light soap or a soft leather cleaner.

    Can I use Dawn to clean leather? ›

    If the stain persists, try blotting with a towel dipped in a mixture of water and a mild dish soap (like Palmolive or Dawn). Be sure to blot gently; scrubbing rigorously can cause permanent damage to the leather. When you're done, thoroughly dry the spot with a fresh cloth.

    Can you clean leather with just water? ›

    While it's okay to use water to clean leather, it should be used very sparingly because too much liquid can cause stains of its own. Be sure to use only damp (rather than fully saturated or dripping) cleaning cloths.

    Is it OK to clean leather with Windex? ›

    Do not use petroleum-based cleaning products to clean leather as they can erode the stitching on the leather piece. Harsh cleaners (such as Windex or bleach), furniture polish (such as Pledge), alkaline cleaners, baby wipes, waxes, and silicone may also damage leather, leaving it feeling sticky.

    Can I use wipes to clean my leather bag? ›

    It may not damage the leather right away, but over time they will damage or reduce the longevity of leather. Baby wipes are one of those. Baby wipes may seem like a good idea in a pinch but repeated use can damage the foundation of your leather goods.

    What are the hacks for cleaning leather? ›

    Oil + Vinegar: Mix 1/2 cup olive oil with 1/4 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Spritz on the stain, let sit for five minutes and wipe. Whatever you do, avoid bleach or ammonia-based cleaners as they can damage the leather.

    Can I use Vaseline to clean leather bag? ›

    Should I rub a thin layer of Vaseline on it to keep it in good condition? You should never use vaseline or any other petroleum based product on leather, even if it is marketed as such.

    What is a good substitute for leather cleaner? ›

    1. Mix white vinegar and olive oil in a spray bottle and shake well. 2. Lightly mist a small section of your leather bag and wipe clean with a dry cotton cloth.

    What is the best natural product to clean leather? ›

    If you prefer to use a homemade product, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a small bucket. Apply with a clean cloth. The cloth must be damp, not soaking wet. Wipe down all areas of your leather sofa, but focus on the spots, that are most soiled.

    How can I make my leather purse shine again? ›

    First, start by removing any surface debris with a soft cloth. Next, if the bag looks particularly dry, you can try using a leather conditioner to help restore some of the natural oils. Once you've done this, you can try, using finally, unbuckled leather cleaner to help remove any deeper stains.

    How do you clean and moisturize a leather purse? ›

    You can purchase a leather conditioner, but if you're looking for an easy at-home solution, mix one part white vinegar and two parts linseed oil. Use a cloth to apply the mixture to your purse and allow it to absorb for 15 minutes before buffing the treatment off the bag.

    How do you clean leather without dry cleaning? ›

    You can buy a commercial leather conditioner or make your own by mixing one part vinegar to two parts linseed oil. Apply it to the leather, let sit for about 15 minutes and buff with a soft cloth until the leather shines. Knowing how to clean leather will make your jacket look great and last longer.

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