Has your favorite leather bag picked up some stains? Whether it's water spots, grease from sunscreen, spilled drinks, or more—a little dirt is not uncommon over time. If a mishap happens, it is often a cause for concern—after all, leather as a natural material is susceptible to staining. But don't worry: with the right cleaning agents and methods, leather cleaning is often successful without leaving any residue on the bag.
At Harbour 2nd, we know the properties of leather intimately. After all, we have been working intensively with the material since our founding in 2014 in Hamburg’s Speicherstadt district. We select the leather for our products according to the highest quality criteria, primarily using cowhide for bags that are washed after assembly and left without a sealing finish. We would like to pass on all our knowledge about cleaning and caring for leather bags to you here.
Our tip for stains: We have also created an extensive guide for you on how to remove stains from leather. Feel free to take a look to learn everything about cleaning grease stains and more. You can also find out how to remove ballpoint pen marks from leather in our blog.
Cleaning the bag according to the type of leather
Before you begin cleaning, you must first determine the type of leather. This is because the method and cleaning agents you can use depend on it. It is best to check directly on the bag or with the manufacturer to find out exactly what material it is. If you cannot find any information, however, you can also determine the type of leather based on various factors—you can learn more about this in our separate guide.
By the way: You should never wash a leather bag—for example, in the washing machine!
Cleaning a smooth leather bag
Cleaning pigmented or finished smooth leather should always be done with a pH-neutral cleaner without aggressive ingredients that is specifically intended for this type of leather. You can find this on the cleaner's label. Depending on the product, cleaning with a damp (not wet) cloth is also possible.
If your bag is made of aniline leather, clean it dry with a soft cloth or a special cleaner for aniline leather. Vigorous rubbing is a no-go with this material! Furthermore, use water sparingly or not at all, and avoid home remedies. We recommend that you treat contiguous areas evenly to avoid color differences.
Cleaning a suede or nubuck bag
You can brush out a leather bag made of nubuck leather dry using a special brush or use a suede eraser. You should not use any creams or leather greases here. Suede can also be brushed out, and the use of special suede products is also possible. Always test liquid cleaners on an inconspicuous area first.
Cleaning braided leather
If you have a braided leather bag, like those found in some of our models, you should also follow the instructions for that type of leather. Always ensure that no liquids run into the braids. You can remove dust with a soft detail brush—fibers can remain if you use cotton swabs.
Important tips for cleaning leather handbags
To ensure you do everything right during cleaning, we have collected the most important tips for you here:
- Don't wait too long: Act quickly when a new stain appears. This allows it to be removed as thoroughly as possible.
- Only dab liquids: Never rub spilled liquids into the leather. Instead, gently dab them up with an absorbent cloth.
- Do not soak the leather: Use water and other liquids very sparingly or avoid them entirely. The leather must not be completely saturated.
- Always test cleaning agents first: Try out every new cleaning or care product on an inconspicuous area first. This way, you can detect possible changes before treating the entire surface.
- Do not use home remedies & unsuitable cleaners: Please do not use household cleaners, alcohol, or solvents.
- Use soft materials: Only clean leather with gentle aids, for example, a soft microfiber cloth. You should avoid scratchy sponges or other abrasive objects.
- Take warning signs seriously: Stop cleaning immediately if color transfers to the cloth, the surface becomes sticky, the stain spreads, or the pile mats. In such cases, further cleaning should be left to a professional.
- Care only after drying: Apply care products only when the leather is completely dry after cleaning. Of course, this only applies to leather types for which the manufacturer recommends care. Please do not treat our washed, open-pored bags with care products at all—the natural patina should be allowed to develop undisturbed.
- Follow application instructions: Always adhere strictly to the manufacturer's specifications for cleaning and care products—especially regarding dosage and exposure time.
Specifically for our premium-quality cowhide models—washed after assembly and left open-pored— we also advise you to clean with a standard care product (e.g., leather milk), provided it clearly matches the leather type in question. Alternatively, you can use a drop of olive oil to create an even structure. Perform the cleaning or the application of the oil over a large area, as these can darken the leather. This helps you avoid individual darker spots.
Cleaning a leather bag: Step-by-step guide
If your leather bag is dirty or dusty, gentle cleaning will restore the beauty of the material. To ensure you do not damage the leather during treatment, we are passing on our tips here.
Preparation
Before cleaning, empty your leather bag and remove any accessories you have attached to it. You can simply shake off loose dust and coarse dirt or remove it with a soft cloth.
The right care products
Now prepare the appropriate care products. These include microfiber cloths and special brushes (for suede). You will also need a leather cleaner suitable for your leather type.
Important: Specifically for our bags, we recommend not using any sprays or greases. They could lead to color changes and stains.
Cleaning the interior
To clean the inside of the leather bag, turn it inside out if possible and shake it out gently. Then you can vacuum it with a handheld vacuum on a low setting—ideally with upholstery attachments. Fabric linings can be cleaned carefully with a damp cloth. Always ensure complete drying.
Cleaning the outside of the leather bag
Now it's time for the surface. Follow the tips mentioned above and the classification by leather type precisely. This ensures that you clean your bag as gently and effectively as possible.
Incidentally, you can also surface-clean smooth leather bags that are not stained using distilled water and a soft cloth (this can prevent limescale marks). However, the leather must not be soaked. Suede should not be cleaned with water.
By the way: You can read about how to remove scratches from leather in our blog.
Letting it dry
Once the bag is cleaned, it must always dry completely at room temperature. Under no circumstances should you use a hairdryer, direct sunlight, or heat from a radiator. You can stuff the inside slightly with unprinted paper so that the bag retains its shape.
Clean your leather bag properly and use it for many years
As a very high-quality material, leather has a long lifespan. That is why cleaning as needed is worth it—this way, your favorite bag stays in beautiful condition and can accompany you for a long time.
If you are also a fan of leather, we recommend taking a look at our range. There you will find leather handbags, leather backpacks, and leather wallets made of the best cowhide. The maritime designs come directly from Hamburg and add a unique elegance to your style. Naturally, we ensure compliance with high standards regarding, among other things, environmental and energy management during production.
Feel free to look around and get inspired by our low-maintenance models. Over time, these develop a beautiful patina that makes them truly unique.
