How to Clean a Leather Handbag (and When to Use a Professional)

A leather handbag picks up oils, dust, ink and color transfer from daily use, and the wrong cleaning method can leave a bag stained, stiff or discolored. Here is how to care for a leather handbag, what to avoid, and when a professional is the safer choice.

Check the material first

Smooth leather, suede and fabric-lined bags are all cared for differently. Suede and nubuck are napped surfaces that mark easily. If a bag has a care tag, follow it, and if you are unsure of the material, treat it gently.

Everyday care

• Wipe the outside with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and light dirt.
• Empty the bag regularly and shake out the inside, since crumbs and loose items trap dirt and moisture.
• Stuff it with tissue or a soft cloth when you store it so it keeps its shape.
• Store it in a breathable cotton dust bag, not plastic, and away from direct sun and heat.
• Keep it away from perfume, hairspray, hand sanitizer and pens, which can leave marks.

What to avoid

• Do not soak or wash a leather bag.
• Do not scrub a stain. Rubbing can spread it or damage the finish.
• Do not use household cleaners or wipes that are not made for leather.
• Do not dry it with heat such as a hairdryer.

Common problems

• Ink or pen marks. These are hard to remove and easy to make worse, so it is best to have them looked at early.
• Color transfer. Dark denim and dyed clothing can leave color on light leather.
• Oil and grease marks. These can darken the leather over time.
• Odor inside the bag. Airing helps, but a persistent smell may need professional cleaning.

When to use a professional

Consider professional cleaning for set-in stains, ink, oil marks, odor that airing does not remove, suede or nubuck marks, or any bag that is valuable or sentimental. At Top Hat Cleaners, leather and fabric handbags, purses and similar leather goods are cleaned as part of our leather and fur cleaning service, which starts at $74.99 per item. Each item is assessed individually, and the final price is confirmed after inspection. Results depend on the leather, the stain and how long it has been there, so not every mark can be removed.

How it works

1. Book or send a photo. Schedule a pickup online, call 214-348-0666, or send a photo on WhatsApp for an initial assessment.
2. Inspection. We check the material, color, finish and condition.
3. Careful cleaning. Leather items are cleaned separately from everyday garments.
4. Return. Collect it from a store or have it delivered, subject to your area and order minimum.

Pickup and delivery is available for qualifying orders in participating DFW areas, with a $45 minimum, so many customers add a bag to a jacket or everyday dry cleaning order. See the leather cleaning page, our leather jacket guide, the price list or find a store on the locations page.

Ready to book? Schedule a pickup or call 214-348-0666.

Related guides

• Leather jacket cleaning: cost and care
• How much does dry cleaning cost?