How to Clean Purses: Leather, Suede & More

Keeping your purse clean isn’t just about making it look great—it’s an important way to extend its life, maintain its value, and even make you healthier. Whether you’re reselling a purse and need it to look its best for the highest possible profit, or you just want to keep your own purses looking great, knowing how to clean them inside and out is essential. Different materials require different approaches to avoid damage and ensure a long life, and in this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about cleaning and maintaining purses.

Why Cleaning Your Purse Matters

There are countless reasons for making sure your purses are kept in excellent condition. Most importantly, of course, condition enhances the value and appearance of a purse. It’s aesthetically pleasing and holds more allure and desirability. If sold, it will sell for more than a dirty purse.

Then there are the health considerations. Did you know that the inside of a handbag typically hosts more bacteria than the average toilet flush? (source) A clean purse reduces the growth of mold, especially in humid conditions. It also means fewer odors and better overall hygiene, especially if you often carry cosmetics and snacks in your purse.

If you’re a reseller, purses that look their best will sell at a higher price and more quickly. A few minutes of TLC could mean the difference between breaking even and a big profit.

Cleaning leather purses

I covered my favorite tools and approach for cleaning leather purses in another post about a year ago. I highly recommend reading it for specific product recommendations and a detailed guide about my process, but here are some highlights for cleaning the exterior of leather purses:

• Use gentle cleaners that are specifically formulated for leather
• Always test new cleaning products on a discreet spot before you clean the entire purse
• Spot clean stains immediately with a damp cloth and mild soap
• Regularly condition leather with leather conditioner to prevent cracks
• Avoid soaking leather, as excess water can cause damage
• Dry purses away from sunlight

Cleaning Suede purses

Suede purses require a very different approach to cleaning than leather. While leather is smooth, durable, and resistant to moisture, suede is soft, delicate, and easily damaged by moisture. As such, water and wet cleaning methods should generally be avoided for suede.

To begin cleaning a suede purse, use a brush to gently remove the dirt. For tougher stains or scuff marks, try a suede eraser. This suede cleaning kit offers both and makes it easy to clean off basic dirt and marks.

If your suede item has oil stains, try applying cornstarch or talcum powder and leaving it overnight to try to draw the oils out of the suede. Once the purse has been sufficiently cleaned, apply a suede protector spray to help prevent staining in the future.

Cleaning Fabric & Canvas purses

Generally speaking, fabric purses are easier to clean than leather or suede bags. Start by looking for a care label, as some purses can be machine washed without risk of damage. If the item cannot be washed in a machine, use a soft toothbrush first to remove dirt spots and stains. If that’s not enough, clean spots gently with mild soap and water; a detergent or spot remover made for fabrics can be used for tougher stains.

Once cleaned, make sure you allow the purse to dry thoroughly before you use it to avoid mildew, especially inside compartments. If any odors remain, spray a fabric freshener inside or use baking soda overnight.

Cleaning Purse Interiors

While the outside of a purse might be the most obvious and important to clean, don’t overlook the interior!

Begin cleaning the interior of your purse by emptying it completely and shaking it out. Remove as much as possible to make cleaning easier, and if possible, it might help to pull the interior pockets inside out if the purse allows it. Vacuum gently using a handheld vacuum or an attachment that isn’t too harsh; a brush attachment and lighter vacuum setting are a good idea here.

Wipe down interior surfaces with disinfectant wipes. If there are stains, spot treat them with mild soap and water. For ink stains, try using rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. And once finished, let the interior dry out completely and then leave a dryer sheet in the purse overnight to remove any stubborn odors.

Cleaning Straps, Buckles, and Hardware

That’s right, we’re still not quite done! The final step to getting your purse into pristine condition is to clean any straps, buckles, and other hardware.

Wipe any metal hardware first with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. If metal buckles are tarnished, use a jewelry or metal cleaner to polish them—but keep the cleaner away from other surfaces on the purse.

Leather straps should be conditioned regularly to prevent cracking. If the straps are fabric instead, use a gentle solution of mild soap and water to clean them.

Conclusion

Taking care of your purse might seem like an obvious and simple task, but it’s easy to overlook the basics and it’s an important process to preserve the appearance, health, and value of your bag. By understanding and following the steps in this article, you can help to ensure that your favorite accessory is always in top condition. So grab your cleaning kit and give your purse the attention it deserves—because a little elbow grease goes a long way.