Accessorizing an outfit is an integral component of fashion. For women, purses are a must-have for fashion.
Anyone can sport an everyday outfit of jeans and tee-shirt but only the fashionable and chic-minded can make a regular outfit seem like one out of a fashion magazine.
Purses, particularly those made of leather, are a fashion statement for ladies.
It is an investment that stays with you for a long time if you know how to keep it clean and conditioned.
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How To Remove Water Stains From a Leather Purse?
The most convenient way of removing water stains from a leather purse is by using more water; a clean damp cloth to extend the stain till the water spreads and dries up. Stubborn stains require leather cleaning products. Leather conditioning should always be the last step after cleaning the stain with more water.
Different Types Of Handbags
A handbag is an accessory in the luggage category that is used to carry personal items with you wherever you go.
It ranges in size from a small wallet to carry just your important cards and money, to a large-sized tote which is usually big enough to hold the groceries too.
In-between the two extremes, we have clutches, pouches, drawstring bags, purses, pocketbooks, handbags, shoulder bags, messenger bags, belt bags, saddle bags, satchels, and trapezoids, to name a few.
The smaller ones like wallets and clutches are usually carried around in the hand, some purses have a sling that may be hung from the shoulder on one side, or across the body to the other side as a cross-body.
Some are carried around on the back, while some are just short enough to hang right below the shoulder with sometimes adjustable straps.
And then there are fanny packs that go around the waist or across the chest from above the shoulder on one side
What you need to know about Leather
Leather is a classy and timeless material made from the chemically-treated skin of cattle and reptiles.
Due to its treatment, its water-resistance properties are increased.
It is quite resourceful and durable, used for a variety of products, including bags, footwear, outerwear, sports equipment, tools, and furniture.
With its luxurious profile, it does take a bit of effort to upkeep and maintenance of the patina.
Patina is a layer formed on the top surface of the leather over time when it remains exposed to air.
It not only defines the aging and quality of leather but also protects the leather from corrosion and weathering.
In case of a spill on leather, it should be cleaned as soon as possible to avoid a stain.
And in the adverse case of a stain, only the leather-specific products made for cleaning and protecting the leather should be used.
Never use aggressive rubbing or harsh products on the leather as it may result in permanently damaging the leather.
Removing Water Stains From A Leather Purse
Even though water is harmless, leather still gets a stain when it comes in contact with it.
Leather purses are prone to come in contact with water frequently.
When the leather on a purse comes in contact with water, it should be wiped and blotted right away.
Use a clean white cloth that has high absorbency to pull away all the water.
The easiest way to remove water stains from a leather purse is by using water itself.
Use a clean, damp cloth or sponge to remove the stain by spreading it and then letting it dry in the air.
If the damp sponge method does not work, try using soft moisturizing soap or a leather cleaner with it.
Don’t make it too wet as it would leave a residue and worsen the stain.
Then blot the area with a dry cloth and leave it to air dry.
The products used for cleaning can result in drying of the leather surface so it is important to use a leather conditioner or leather milk to finish off the process.
Different Leather Care Products I personally use
Here is a list of products I use for my leather purses.
It is a whole arsenal of leather cleaning products I am keeping at home.
You won’t need all of them but they are a good starting point and it is always good to have one or two of these products at home.
Commercially available leather cleaning products come as single products, such as Lexol Leather Cleaner and the Leather Cleaner By Leather Honey.
Or as part of kits that have the necessary components to make the stain cleaning efficient, like Lexol Leather Care Kit.
And then there is the one-product-for-all category for leather solutions, like the Weiman 3 in 1 deep leather cleaner and conditioner.
Chamberlain’s Leather Milk is like a lip balm for leather, which helps clean the stains and heal the layers of leather.
Leather conditioners penetrate the layers of leather, which makes it impermeable, and keeps it supple and flexible.
These include products like the KIWI Shoe Conditioning Oil and the Obenauf’s Leather Oil, which are very much popular for maintaining leather accessories.
Leather polish is used when we need to fix the color of the surface, want to change it to a slightly different shade, or add a shine to the leather.
There are products like the Leather Hero Color Restorer & Applicator, FurnitureClinic Leather Recoloring Balm, and the Otter Wax Leather Salve.
The Do-Nots Of Leather Cleaning
Do not leave the staining agent in contact with the leather surface anytime; try and clean the staining agent from the surface of the leather as soon as possible.
The longer it stays in contact, the more stubborn the stain would we and the more difficult it would be to remove.
Do not attempt to clean the whole stain in the first attempt, particularly if it is a big stain.
Always start with trial and error for a smaller part of the stain and let it dry to see the result before attempting to clean.
Do not use a coarse drying tool to dry the water as it may cause heat damage to the leather product and result in peeling of the layers, such as putting in the sun or using a hairdryer.
Do not use harsh chemicals like bleaches, alcohol, and non-leather specific products as these leave the leather damaged and make the stain an even worse eye-sore.
Conclusion on How To Remove Water Stains From a Leather Purse
The best method to remove water stains from a leather purse is using even more water or cleaning product made for leather.