Cleaning a Leather Bag or Leather Goods: Stains and Everyday Dirt

The bottom of a bag put down on the floor, handles gripped in the hand, a flap rubbed against a coat, a wallet slipped into a pocket: leather goods collect dust, sebum and everyday marks until they lose their shine.

Clean leather keeps better, takes nourishment better and is better protected. But it must be cleaned with a product suited to its delicacy, without soaking or discolouring it.

Depending on the condition of your item, there are two solutions: glycerine soap for gentle, regular care, and stain remover for leather goods that are grimy or stained.

Our products for cleaning your leather goods

Glycerine soap or stain remover?

• SOFOLK glycerine soap is a gentle cleaner based on vegetable glycerine, solvent-free. It removes dust, finger marks and light greasy dirt without drying out or discolouring the leather. It is the right choice for a bag, wallet or belt that you look after regularly.
• SOFOLK stain remover is deliberately more powerful. It tackles ingrained dirt and real stains, on leather as well as faux leather, nubuck or fabric linings. It is reserved for leather goods that are rarely cleaned or for a specific stain.

If in doubt, start with the soap: if it is not enough, move on to the stain remover.

Cleaning a leather bag in 4 steps

Step 1: empty and dust

Empty the bag, shake it upside down and wipe the outside with a dry cloth or a soft brush, paying particular attention to the seams, the gussets and the base, where dust builds up.

Step 2: do a test

Test the product on an inconspicuous area, under the flap or at the bottom of the bag. This precaution is essential on aniline leather, fine lambskin or a very light colour.

Step 3: clean

With glycerine soap, apply a small amount to a sponge or a soft, slightly damp cloth and work in small circular movements. With the stain remover, spray it in foam mode and do not leave it on for too long: an excessive contact time can discolour the material. Always clean an entire panel, from seam to seam, to avoid rings.

Step 4: wipe and leave to dry

Wipe with a clean microfibre cloth, then leave to air dry, away from the sun and from any source of heat, with the bag stuffed with paper so that it keeps its shape.

Treating the most common stains

• Grey marks and blackening of the handles: glycerine soap, then stain remover if the mark persists.
• Make-up, cream or grease stains: stain remover in jet mode on the stain, gentle brushing, wiping, then cleaning of the whole panel.
• Water or rain marks: clean the entire surface evenly to blend the ring away, then protect the bag.
• Stained lining: the stain remover is also suitable for fabric linings; do not soak, wipe and leave to dry with the bag open.

On an old stain, repeat the process rather than leaving the product to work for longer.

And after cleaning?

Freshly cleaned leather is ready to receive its care: nourishing, protection with a wax or varnish, waterproofing. All the steps are explained on our page dedicated to caring for leather goods.

If cleaning reveals a scratch, a cut or a worn corner, our page on repairing leather goods will guide you. To find all our care products, go back to the leather goods section.

Frequently asked questions

How do I clean a light-coloured leather handbag?

Start with the glycerine soap, after testing on a hidden area, working the whole bag evenly. Light leathers show marks more quickly: a gentle, frequent clean is better than a strong, infrequent one.

How do I remove a grease stain from a leather bag?

Spray the stain remover in jet mode onto the stain, brush gently, wipe with a microfibre cloth, then clean the whole panel to avoid a demarcation line. Repeat if needed on an old stain.

Can a leather bag be cleaned with water?

A barely damp cloth is enough for dusting. Getting leather properly wet marks and stiffens it: use glycerine soap instead, applied with a slightly damp sponge.

Is glycerine soap suitable for faux leather?

Yes: it gently cleans leather and faux leather alike, without drying out or discolouring. It is even a good habit for faux leather bags, which only need regular cleaning.

How often should you clean leather goods?

A weekly dusting and a clean with glycerine soap as soon as the leather dulls are enough for a bag used every day. The stain remover is kept for stains and restoration work.