can you put leather bag in washing machine?
Yes, you can wash a leather bag in washing but it should be avoided in the first place as one should always keep real leather away from water. One should only consider washing leather in the washing machine if there is no other way to clean the leather product. If your bag is really dirty and you can’t use it like this anyway then only you can take this chance and risk your expensive leather bag. However, most dirty leather bags and stains can easily be treated with the spot-cleaning method.
In this article, we will be discussing some methods to clean leather bags. After reading this article you will get a clear of cleaning leather products. So let’s get started with the most preferred way which is spot cleaning the leather.
Table of Contents
Spot cleaning
Spot cleaning is the most preferred method of cleaning not only leather bags but all kinds of leather goods. Spot cleaning is a kind of dry cleaning for the leather as it does not require much water and is also less messy than other methods. Following are the steps for spot-cleaning leather bag:
Empty the bag
Before start cleaning you should always empty all the contents of the bag, especially if there is some fragile object or something so that you won’t end up breaking that while cleaning the bag.
It will also help you to work under the bag without worrying about the contents of the bag.
Prepare the solution
You can use any reputed leather cleaning solution available online or you can make a DIY one on your own. To make a cleaning solution mix 1/4th of dish soap with 3/4th part of warm water.
Alternatively, saddle soap can be used in place of dishwashing soap as it is superior to dish soap and it will also keep the leather moisturized in the right amount.
You can also use some white vinegar mixed with cold water as a leather cleaning solution. 1 tbsp of white vinegar in 1 cup of water is enough to clean not only a leather bag but any leather product.
Clean the bag from the outside
Take a clean cloth and dip it in the solution you have prepared in the previous step. Work the cloth on the leather in a circular motion. Always use a soft cloth so that you don’t accidentally end up scratching the leather. Now wipe the extra water with a soft microfiber cloth. Repeat the process if stains persist before leaving it to dry overnight.
One thing you should keep in mind is that the drying process is equally important as the cleaning, you should never use a dryer or heat to get your leather bag dried. Just put it in a shaded place and let it dry naturally. Now apply leather conditioner on the leather.
Machine wash
Machine washing the leather handbag is the least preferred method and one should only employ it when your leather bag is really dirty and useless otherwise.
You just have to put your leather bag in the washing machine and add some mild detergent to it. Put the machine on a gentle cycle. After the cycle is completed take it out and let it air dry naturally.
After the bag is fully dried you must apply some leather conditioner in order to nourish the leather and prevent it from getting stiff.
Conclusion
Using a washing machine to wash a leather bag is the last option you can explore as you will not be able to check it on some inconspicuous area before washing. But you also should know about the type of leather you are dealing with. However, it is always best to dry clean your leather products but it is totally up to you what you want to go for.
For more information on leather products, you can check our other articles or you can contact us. LeatherBlues is known as one of the best stores for real leather products. Explore our amazing collection of leather garments and services.
Related articles: How to clean oil stains from leather? Dos and don’ts
What is textured leather? 8 amazing types