How to Easily Clean & Refresh Your Handbags and Purses
No one wants unsightly perspiration stains ruining their favorite handbags and purses, but it can be tricky to know how to remove them without damaging fabric. Read on for tips on safely and easily cleaning sweat stains off of your bags!
Updated 27 Jun 2023
By Jacobim Mugabe
Materials Needed:
- White cotton cloth or rag
- Laundry detergent
- Small bowl
- Water
- Oxygen-based bleach
- Vaseline
- Soft brush (toothbrush or clean paint brush)
- Vinegar
Instructions:
- Clean the area. Take a clean white cotton cloth or rag and dip it into a bowl with some laundry detergent and warm water mixed together. Gently wipe the perspiration stained area to remove as much of dirt, oils, and sweat residue as possible.
- Oxygen-based Bleach. After cleaning the area, put a tablespoon of oxygen-based bleach into the same bowl. Dip the cloth into the solution and gently rub it onto the stain. Be sure to scrub lightly so you don't damage the fabric. Leave the bleach on for up to 10 minutes.
- Vaseline. Apply a small amount of Vaseline to the stained area and let it sit for 30 minutes. This will help to draw out any stubborn sweat stains that the oxygen-based bleach didn't get.
- Brush it off. Once the Vaseline has had time to sit, use a soft brush such as a toothbrush or clean paint brush to gently brush away the excess residue. Be sure to brush in the same direction as the fabric.
- Vinegar. If there are still stubborn stains, mix together equal parts vinegar and water in a small bowl. Dip a cloth into the mixture and gently dab it onto the stained area. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
- Air dry. To finish, lay your bag on a flat surface and let air dry. Do not put it in the dryer, as this can cause any remaining stains to set in and become impossible to remove.
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