Leather and Mr Clean
I have a favorite white Furla bag I use throughout the summer… which since I commute between SoFlo and Chicago, means I use it year-round. This bag is a special souvenir purchased 2 years ago on Paris’ Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, on a trip with a favorite fairy-godchild who was born in Paris 10 years earlier. It replaced a similar version which I had retired immediately after a 3 week trip to India. Note to self: don’t take a white purse to India.
In addition to the memories, why do I love my Furla bag?
- its a soft, fold-able, smooth leather that weighs practically nothing
- its large enough to hold everything and anything, but when empty hangs smoothly and compactly
- the shoulder strap fits easily over my arm or a coat shoulder
So what’s the problem? In the past few weeks both moi husband and daughter have said repeatedly: That bag is filthy. You need to retire it. I hate to think what everyone else was too polite to say!
So, I grabbed a bottle of leather conditioner/cleaner and a soft rag, then scrubbed and scrubbed. A few days later: Retire that bag!
Next brilliant idea: searching for a leather cleaner who could return my purse’s creamy white color. No such luck.
Then, my brilliant husband did what I typically do: he Googled it.
Voila! According to Google, the best things to clean a dirty leather purse are:
- saddle soap: tried
- Dove soap: tried
- Nivea lotion: tried
- window cleaner: No way! did they see My Big Fat Greek Wedding?
- rubbing alcohol: no
- nail polish remover: NO WAY!!!
- Mr Clean Magic Eraser
Whoa! I love Mr Clean Magic Erasers, and I’ve talked about them with you before. But for leather purses??? Hmmm, what have I got to loose? And I have a new box under the sink.
1 hour later, I have a fairly clean while leather Furla bag. I’m going to clean the bag with Magic Erasers again next week. It’s not perfect, but I don’t think I’ll get any more mean comments from family members. And I have some time to search for another perfect white leather purse.
Mr Clean Magic Erasers safely clean leather. Who Knew?
5 comments
Great tip!!!
Rina designs and produces beautiful leather hand bags. She sells her line on ETSY. I love her work and about died when I spilled a bottle of OLIVES (juice, too, of course) over the majority of the bag. Following is her 2nd response to me. I will try to locate the 1st email as well.
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Rina from rinarts sent you a conversation on August 4, 2012.
Hi Rebecca,
Good to hear that the stain is not too bad anymore. I think in time it will fade away much further, or at least will not be noticed so clearly anymore. Luckily this leather has many shades in color.
The leather itself will get darker over time. I have a phone case of the same leather(one year now); and its in my hand many times a day, but it still looks great.
Thank you for the info about the Mr Clean Magic Eraser.
I have read several reviews.
But still: I would not use it on your bag. Your bag is made of Nubuck = an open, breathing leather . Suede is an “open” leather too, but can act different on water and cleanings.
Most cleaners will not harm closed leather (dyed with a color dye that covers the pores of the skin).
Although Mr Clean says that you can use it for suede, I would not advise it.
Just be patient.
Or ask the dry cleaner in you town.
They have lots of experience with cleaning leather clothing.
Have a great weekend!
Rina
Thanks for the info Rebecca: I’ve used Mr Clean Erasers on several leather bags without a problem (and have much cleaner bags) but have not yet tried it on suede. I have a suede jacket I was going to test it on for dirty sleeve edges: I’ll test very carefully!
I thought if there was a chance I’d be stuck with the stain, what difference would it make if i used a product that was not failsafe . . . . I still feel this way . . . .but Rina’s bags are so nice I thought it best to ask her and am glad i did. Prior to that, however, the first thing I did was RUN to the kitchen and locate a bag of flour. I dumped the flour on the bag and rubbed it in. It sat for a few days, then I removed the flour. I had remembered from somewhere flour wouldn’t hurt and would possibly absorb the oil. It’s not perfect but I do love the bag and the stain has faded considerably.
I enjoy your column! Very informative.
great tip Rebecca, I’ve never heard it. I have heard talcum powder absorbs oil stains, but I’d totally forgotten it. Good to know!
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