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How to Clean Your Handbag: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Posted by Lauren Levin on

Mistakes happen — coffee spills, make-up crushes and liquids leak. Life can be messy, but our bags were built to keep up with your busy lifestyle. If you’ve ever found yourself in a sticky situation (literally) and Googled whether or not you could toss something in the washing machine, this post is for you.

To help make life easier, we’ve designed all of our bags with simple care in mind. No dry-cleaning needed—you can either wash or spot clean each of our bags. We’re breaking it down into simple tutorials and showing you how to clean your bag step-by-step depending on the material.

Follow these helpful steps to easily clean your cotton gabardine, nylon, polyester twill and leather bags.

How To Clean Your Cotton Gabardine Bag

Keeping your cotton gabardine bag clean not only restores its appearance, it also helps extend its life. Proper care helps your accessory remain a fashionable and functional part of your wardrobe.

Whether you've had a spill or it's simply time for a refresh, follow these simple steps to keep your cotton gabardine bag looking its best:

01 close all zippers before laundering

Make sure all of the bag’s zippers are securely closed to prevent any snags or damage during the washing cycle.

02 machine wash cold on gentle cycle with a gentle detergent

Using cold water and a gentle detergent protects the fabric's integrity. Opt for a gentle cycle to minimize wear and tear.

03 line dry (or lay flat)

After washing, either hang your bag to air dry or lay it flat to maintain its shape and prevent shrinkage.

Please note that not all of our cotton gabardine bags are suitable for machine washing. Due to the construction and hardware of some styles, spot cleaning may be necessary. To ensure you are using the correct cleaning method for your specific bag, please check the care instructions included with your bag.

 

How To Clean Your Polyester Twill Bag

Your polyester twill bag is a versatile and stylish accessory that can endure a lot of use. However, when it starts to look a bit untidy, a quick cleaning can restore it to its original beauty.

Although these bags cannot be machine washed, you can easily maintain their appearance by following these simple steps:

01 spot clean with a gentle detergent

Gently clean the affected areas using a mild detergent and a soft, damp cloth to avoid damaging the material.

02 rinse thoroughly

After spot cleaning, be sure to rinse the affected areas thoroughly to remove any detergent residue.

03 lay flat to dry

Finally, lay the bag flat to dry, which helps maintain its shape and prevents any distortions.

 

How To Clean Your Nylon Bag

Our nylon bags are beloved by many for their eye-catching solids and prints, durability and versatility.

While they cannot be machine washed, with a few simple steps, you can easily help you bag look its best:

01 spot clean with a gentle detergent

Gently clean any stains or dirt using a mild detergent and a soft, damp cloth to avoid damaging the fabric.

02 rinse thoroughly

Make sure all detergent residue is removed by thoroughly rinsing the spot-cleaned areas.

03 lay flat to dry

Finally, let your bag air dry to maintain its shape.

Please note, when cleaning nylon twill bags, you should follow steps 1 and 2, but make sure to lay your bag flat to dry instead of hanging it to line dry.

 

How To Clean Your Leather Bag

Leather bags are a timeless accessory that can enhance any outfit, but they require proper care to maintain their elegance and durability.

Cleaning your leather bag regularly not only preserves its appearance but also extends its lifespan. By following this straightforward step, you can ensure your leather bag remains in excellent condition for years to come:

01 gently dab with a soft, white, damp cloth

Gently wipe the surface of your leather bag to remove any dirt or dust. Use a soft, white, damp cloth to avoid transferring any dyes or leaving any residue on the leather.

 

Enjoy Your Clean Bag!

It's easy to keep your bags looking fresh and new! Our quality team recommends double checking the care instructions listed on our website for your specific bag before cleaning.

Regular cleaning and maintenance not only preserves your bag's beauty but also contributes to the durability you know and love from Vera Bradley bags.

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