How do you keep light handbags clean?

I'm trying to get onto Team Handbag, and recently bought my first cream handbag which is a synthetic leather-like material. I really love it but I manage to rub it on everything! Most recently against a pair of cheap black zipper denim leggings (to try the trend!) which, apparently, I hadn't washed enough times before wearing so the dye rubbed off. How do you gals who sport white/cream/light handbags keep them clean (besides rub on less stuff ;) )? Any particular products you could recommend for both leather and synthetics? Thanks!

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12 Comments

  • Mo replied 13 years ago

    I bought my off white bag in a washable canvas which I didn't really plan, but has turned out to be great. In the future, I don't think I'll buy any lighter colors that aren't fabric precisely for the reasons you stated.

  • Girl X replied 13 years ago

    You were busy playing Nancy Sinatra to your Peter Fonda* so you missed the thread last week about getting stains out of leatherette. :)

    http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....g-disaster

    One of those suggestions might do the trick.

    ---------
    * The Wild Angels (1966)

  • Aida replied 13 years ago

    Snap, thanks! I'll give some of those a try :)

  • bella replied 13 years ago

    Hair spray is what I've heard and several people on the forum have tried to get rid of dye on their leather bags.

  • Isabel replied 13 years ago

    Has anyone tried Scotchguarding it first ? It works well on my canvas shoes and bags. I use a leather protectant on my leather bags. But as I get on Team handbag too, it is a pain and makes me want to turn back to my practical ways - oh black, how I miss thee !

  • Angie replied 13 years ago

    I was going to suggest hairspray too.

    Hmmm. Aida, I am at a loss for words. I have 4 cream handbags that I use ALL the time and nothing rubs off onto them. They are barely even marked - and I am out on the dirty urban streets very often.

    I do store my bags "with TLC" - perhaps that helps?

  • Louise replied 13 years ago

    I use hairspray to get pen marks off my pleather bag. I've started giving it a wipe down with a baby wipe before I put it away as I got it out this summer and there is a mark which must have been from last summer and I can't now get it off as it must have 'set' over the winter thankfully it's a small mark and under the clasp so not too noticeable x

  • Aida replied 13 years ago

    Thanks for the hairspray suggestion ladies, that seems to have (mostly) done the trick!

    Angie, most of it was from the jeans that rubbed black dye onto the bag but there were some other scuffs as well. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that I'm not terribly graceful nor particularly careful with my bags; I do store them up on a shelf at the end of the day, but I also toss them around a lot during the day. Guess I'll just have to be more careful :)

  • amyreh replied 13 years ago

    Ug, i have the same problem too. I have this gorgeous Coach cream bag, and my denim rubs off on it! I think I am going to have to have it professionally cleaned, but perhaps I will try the hairspray. Thanks!

  • Angie replied 13 years ago

    I need to teach a class on handbag TLC :)

  • Aida replied 13 years ago

    Angie, I would find that very useful :) I'm still in the "this is only a tool" mode when it comes to bags, slowly getting my brain to switch out of that.

  • Angie replied 13 years ago

    Oh Aida, handbags are just one down from hubby and Rosie is this household. Ask other YLF'ers how I lovingly stroke handbags.

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