How To Clean Leather Purse From Thrift Store
(Proven Cleaning Method)
Many people find deals on leather purses from a thrift shop they have to add to their collection – and who can blame them? However, as is the case with many thrift store items, they are dirty and need to be properly cleaned.
Luckily, there are many proven ways to clean leather purses, especially those that are extra dirty.
How To Clean Leather Purse From The Thrift Store
The best technique for cleaning a leather purse from the thrift store is to remove all of the contents, remove any dust with a damp cloth, use a leather cleaner to treat dirty patches, and cover it with a protective seal when you’re done.
What You Will Need:
Step 1: Prepare Clean Surface Area
- Before it’s time to strip the grime off of your new leather purse, you must prepare a clean place to work. Simply find a flat area such as a table, lay a clean towel down, and have all your supplies nearby.
Step 2: Remove Everything From The Purse
Remove all items from the interior of the purse, and set them aside to be cleaned later if need be. If there are any added chains or clip-on’s on the exterior of the bag, remove those now as well.
Step 3: Identify Targeted Cleaning Areas
After purchasing a leather purse from the thrift store, you must do a thorough inspection of the grime. Identify which areas need to be cleaned first when the cleaning process begins.
There are often many dirty spots on the bottom of the purse that needs immediate attention.
Step 4: Remove Dust and Dirt
Use a damp microfiber cloth to rub down the interior and exterior of the purse. This removes the first layer of dirt and dust particles so you can target deeper stains later on.
If there is lots of dirt or dust, consider using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. Be careful to not apply too much pressure on the leather as it can easily scratch
Step 5: Remove Heavy Dirt and Oils
Mix a leather soap with water to create a cleaning solution. Once the solution is made, get a microfiber towel damp and begin to wipe both the interior and exterior of the leather handbag.
Make sure to lift any folds on the interior of the bag, hit all pockets and crevices, as well as straps on the exterior. Once the whole bag has been wiped down, it will be clean.
Step 6: Let The Bag Dry
Before moving on to protecting the thrift store purse, it is vital that the bag dries completely.
A simple way to do this is to place the bag upside down on a towel with it often. The purse should take less than 1 hour to dry.
Step 7: Protect The Leather
To keep your thrift store purse looking fresh for years to come, use Bickmore Leather & Suede Protector. To apply, spray the exterior of the bag, including the straps, and massage the liquid in small circles with a microfiber cloth.
This product will protect your leather purse from rain/water damage as well as deter stain build up. There are also other leather cleaner options linked here.
Thrift Store Leather Purse Scratch Repair
Even though most leather bags are made from quality leather, they can still scratch under the right circumstances. Here’s what you will need to fix them.
Materials:
Leather Repair Instructions:
Step 1: Massage the Scratches With Cream
Apply a dime size amount of leather cream to each scratch on your leather thrift store purse. Using a microfiber cloth, rub the cream into the scratched areas until they are very faint or completely gone.
After the cream has sat, wipe the excess off and prepare for the next step.
Step 2: Seal the Scratches In
Apply a thin layer of clear nail polish onto the scratched area. This will fill the scratched area and make it disappear, or at the minimum hard to notice.
For the best results, do this on a bag that has a natural sheen as the glossy nail polish will blend in.
Scratch repair is a reality of owning any leather handbag. Performing this step every few months or after the purse sees heavy use is a good idea.
Leather Purse Strap Repair
Oftentimes the first thing to go on leather purses is the straps. They may be especially warned if your purse had a previous owner.
Don’t let this discourage you! Learn how to repair the leather straps down below.
What You Will Need:
- Scissors
- Leather Adhesive
- Needle and matching thread color
- Cotton Swab
- 1: Cut off any loose fringe or extra strap material on the edges
- 2: Apply a targeted layer of leather adhesive where the strap is fraying. This will seal it in.
- 3: Use a needle and thread to sow shut the edge of the strap you just cut. Use caution when using the needle.
- 4: Allow the leather adhesive to dry. You can use a hairdryer to speed this process up.
- 5: Wipe down the exterior of your purse with a microfiber to remove any dirt or dust.
- 6: Use a cotton swab to apply leather cream to any dings or imperfections on the leather. Follow up with a thin layer of clear nail polish to make them disappear.
Congrats! You have successfully saved your leather thrift store purse straps!
How To Repair Zipper on Leather Purse
Few things are more frustrating as a handbag owner than when the zipper gives up on you. Is it time to throw the bag away? No!
Learn from the following visual guide on how to replace a zipper on any leather purse. It’s simple and will add to your bag’s longevity.
Leather Purse FAQ
Are Leather Handbags Waterproof?
Almost all leather handbags are waterproof, but can still be damaged by water staining. To be extra careful, apply a leather protectant to all your purses.
Are Leather Purses Real Leather?
The short answer is that it depends. The leather quality changes by the brand, but one of the most common leathers used is Saffiano leather.
How To Tell If A Thrift Store Purse Is Real
A common purse picked up from the thrift store on a discount are Micahel Kors purses. But how can you tell if it is real?
Handbag replicas have become more and more popular. The following is a great guide on how to spot a real Michael Kors in the thrift shop isles.
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