White bag maintenance

[Lynn99]

Hi gals.. I have a white leather bag that got dirty (I don't know how, but it's like grey dirt from walls, floor etc I think)..

How can I remove the stains? I tried to clean with water but it didn't work.. I even tried detergent, but can't remove it still...

Pls help... So sad.. I only brought it out twice

[beatrice_beauty]

use some zipo lighter oil or baby oil or ox oil most likely the dirt will come off but zipo lighter oil most effective

[jewelz]

What about ink stains???
How to remove??
I have tried using hair spray, eraser, nail polish remover
but still can't do anything to it..

[beatrice_beauty]

ink stain a bit hard to get rid if itz a new ink stain you just have to use zipo oil to rub if the ink stain was quite a while itz hard to get rid no gurantee it will get off
do not use nail polish to clean bags as the polish will eat into the skin of the bag and leave a scare

[gwennie]

Somewhat OT here but just a note of caution to NOT hold your white leather bag and Zara blue paperbag together coz the blue dye of the paperbag may 'rub' against the white leather, resulting in blue smudges on the bag. Difficult to remove based on personal experience

[Lynn99]

Thanks for all the suggestions

I tried leather cleaner, but it didn't work

So I googled and found this method.. Use rubbing alcohol! And I just tried, it doesn't spoil the finish of the leather, and it took of the dirt instantly, and I even managed to get a blue pen ink stain off easily!

[cherrycoke]

what's rubbing alcohol and where may we get it?

[Lynn99]

You can buy rubbing alcohol or like any alcohol you buy for disinfecting wounds for for cleasning earrings etc

I buy them for Guardian, they are like $2+ each

[boolet]

I tried using Axe oil ( yes, the medicated oil ) on my white leather bag for dirt and small stains and it works, especially the dirt. Its better to do a patch test first. After that, I'll use a slightly damp cloth to clean the area to minimise the 'medicated' smell. HTHs!

[Ice-tea]

The handbag SA once told me if the leather gets dirty, can use J&J lotion to wipe it off. Never try it though, cos I seldom use white bags. HTHs

[boorie]

Hi Cotters, I have a white lizard embossed leather watch from Emporio Armani. Like always, white is so difficult to maintain! Furthermore, it's kind of expensive and I wouldn't want to "hurt" it. Have tried using leather cleaner (cream type), but it doesn't work. So I was thinking whether to use "Cif" or alcohol (those small piece for medical use; 100% pure)........ I'm afraid of leaving yellowish/creame coloured stains or the solution might "eat" up the leather.

[gamma]

i bot some lotion at isetan shoe section, they say can clean leather bags, i think white included rite?

[boorie]

i bot some lotion at isetan shoe section, they say can clean leather bags, i think white included rite?

Erm... I did bought one from Metro but it didn't work on my leather watch. Perhaps it did clean the leather, but can't remove blackish stains/dirt.

[Lynn99]

I treid different leather cleaners too, but didn't work to remove pen stains and other blackish stains from dirt etc.

The I googled and found out that using alcohol is the best and most effective way to remove stains. I used a little alcohol (for cleaning earrings) on a cosmetic cotton pad. Just run very lightly and quickly and the stains are all gone!

There are no damages to the leather surface at all. I had tried detergent previuously and it did damage the leather finishing. So don't try Cif dearie! I'm sure it's stronger than detergent and will ruin the leather protective finish!

But no prob with alcohol at all. Mine was a white leather bag and it left no stains or anything

[gamma]

Erm... I did bought one from Metro but it didn't work on my leather watch. Perhaps it did clean the leather, but can't remove blackish stains/dirt.

oh, i haven't tried yet cos i seldom carry my bag, so not dirty yet. bot jus in case i need it