Valuable recommendations on how to wash a leather backpack in a machine and by hand

Leather backpacks have increased wear resistance and, with proper care, can last for more than one year.

During use, the accessory inevitably becomes covered with dirt and therefore requires periodic cleaning.

Not everyone knows how to do this correctly so as not to spoil the product. Therefore, it is worth understanding the nuances.

From this article you will find out whether it is possible and how to wash a backpack (leather or faux leather) in the washing machine and by hand.

Is it possible to put it in the washing machine?

A backpack made of genuine leather cannot be machine washed. Leather Products preferably cleaned by hand.

Handwash

Since washing a leather backpack in the usual way is strictly contraindicated, the only option is wet or dry cleaning.

• light – need more frequent cleansing than dark ones;
• skin with aging effect – are distinguished by greater resistance to pollution;
• embossed leather – washing with warm water and cleaning with a hard brush is contraindicated;
• products with patent leather and suede inserts – are especially sensitive to negative external factors and require a careful approach.

To care for a leather backpack, you need to get a special kit:

• soft bristle brush;
• wet and dry wipes;
• mild detergents intended for leather products;
• sponges;
• various impregnations and paints for leather.

First of all, take out the contents and turn the lining inside out, clean it with a sponge soaked in soapy water.. Upon completion of the procedure, wipe the inside of the backpack with a solution of ammonia, liquid soap and water (1:1:5).

If this does not help eliminate the contaminants on the material and an unpleasant odor remains, try another method:

1. Mix soda with water and treat problem areas with the resulting slurry.
2. After 15-20 minutes, the mixture is washed off with warm water.

Fresh stains can be easily wiped off with alcohol or vodka. And small debris accumulated inside is removed using a vacuum cleaner.

On the outside, they wipe the creases, seams and handles with ammonia, and then go over the rest of the area. After 5-10 minutes, wipe with a solution prepared on the basis of liquid soap (dishwashing detergent).

Leather products are extremely susceptible to excess moisture. That's why all manipulations are carried out quickly so that water is not absorbed into the material.

If it was not possible to avoid getting very wet, then fill the backpack with crumpled newspapers (they absorb moisture well).

Cleaning backpacks depending on the color and type of material:

1. Black or dark shades. Use natural ground coffee. Make a paste: 1 tsp. and some water. Apply the mixture to the surface in a circular motion and immediately upon completion wash off with a wet cloth. An alternative to coffee is glycerin.
2. Light or white. Cow's milk shows good results.It cleanses and softens the skin. It is preheated slightly and with the help of a cotton swab they begin to treat the surface of the product.

   You can mix beaten egg whites with milk. Lemon juice or laundry soap dissolved in warm water can easily cope with minor stains and gray deposits.

3. Colored. To prevent the design from fading, use soft sponges or cloth napkins when cleaning. Soapy water is suitable as a cleaning agent. And greasy deposits are effectively washed off with dishwashing detergent. It is recommended to clean the red backpack with talcum powder.
4. Made from patent and smooth leather. Patented and smooth leather is wiped with a damp cloth and rubbed with a velvety cloth. Another option is to use onions, cut in half, for peeling. For protection, the leather is coated with special products sold in shoe departments.

How to remove various stains?

To remove stains of various origins from leather backpacks, both chemical preparations and improvised means are suitable.

Here are the most common stain reduction options:

• Vaseline, glycerin, castor oil;
• makeup remover or toner without alcohol;
• laundry soap: rub the shavings and dilute them in warm water;
• ammonia added to the soap solution;
• cosmetic facial milk or hand cream (against oily spots);
• hydrogen peroxide (from greasy gloss and fingerprints);
• white stationery eraser;
• whitening toothpaste without dyes;
• melamine sponge;
• talcum powder or baby powder (rub in and leave for half an hour, then wash off with soapy water).

Features of cleaning leatherette

Backpacks made of leatherette and eco-leather are also not advisable to machine wash. It is better to clean manually. Local contaminants are preliminarily removed. A mixture of vodka and ammonia will help with this.

Next, wash the outside of the backpack with soapy water. After this, wipe the product with a damp cloth, then with a dry one.

When there are no clear contraindications on the label regarding machine washing, then the procedure is carried out under the appropriate modes:

• “Delicate wash” (30? C);
• “Manual mode” (no more than 40? C);
• “Fast mode” (30? C);
• “For colored laundry” (30? C).

For spinning, set the minimum number of revolutions.

Tips for hand washing:

• first remove straps and other decor from the backpack (if possible);
• remove heavy dirt;
• pour water into a basin at a temperature of up to 40? C;
• add a liquid detergent that does not contain chlorine, but has a bleaching effect;
• For cleaning use a soft brush or a piece of cloth;
• at the end of the procedure, wash the product with clean water;
• the backpack is wrung out without making much effort so that it does not become deformed;
• allow to dry naturally.

Suede satchel

Backpacks made of suede require a careful approach, so hand and machine washing is contraindicated for them. Such products can be cleaned using the dry method, then they will retain their original appearance longer.

Proceed as follows:

1. Using a flannel cloth, remove surface dust and other contaminants from the product.
2. Set the water to boil and hold the backpack over the steam that appears for about 10 minutes. This technique allows the pile to straighten out and get rid of the remaining dirt.
3. Wipe the suede with a flannel.

Drying rules

Regardless of the method you choose to clean your backpack, drying should be carried out in a well-ventilated area. The product is straightened and laid out on a flat surface or hung.

Adviсe

Since the skin is too sensitive material to various types of influence, then When cleaning, it is important to know what is prohibited:

• use hard brushes;
• wash in plenty of water;
• frequently use aggressive substances: solvents, acetone, turpentine, gasoline (only possible in exceptional cases);
• Dry on or near heating appliances.

As for the cleaning process itself, there are certain nuances here:

• start with the lining;
• before removing stains, wipe the backpack with soapy water or ammonia;
• without delay, remove excess moisture with a dry cloth;
• carefully select a cleanser taking into account the type and color of the skin;
• Finally, the product is covered with a water-repellent cream of the same color or colorless.

If cracks, creases and other minor defects appear on the skin, mask them with a special cream of a similar color.To ensure that a white leather backpack remains pristine for as long as possible, the accessory is treated with hydrophobic impregnation immediately after purchase. This will prevent it from becoming dirty.

Video on the topic

The video will tell you how to care for a bag (backpack) made of leather, faux leather, eco-leather, suede:

Conclusion

Now it’s clear how to properly wash a backpack made of natural and artificial leather. But doing this is often not recommended, since dampness negatively affects the quality of the leather and the product as a whole. It is better to constantly care for the accessory, avoiding severe contamination.