How to Clean and Care for Fabric and Straw Handbags

How to Clean a Fabric Handbag

1. Prep the Bag for Washing

   Begin by emptying the purse and all its pockets. Open all zippers and clasps, and shake the bag well upside down to remove dirt and trash.

   Next, if possible, pull the interior of the bag to the outside, or turn a fabric bag inside out so you can see the lining. Use a lint roller to capture dust and crumbs. Then use the fabric brush attachment on a vacuum to tackle the interior and exterior.

   Examine the bag for care labels and/or type of materials used. Follow any recommended care guidelines, and attempt to identify any stains.

2. Wipe Down the Bag

   Begin by simply wiping down the bag with a soft white cloth (colored cloths could bleed dye onto the fabric) that’s clean and dampened with plain water. Wipe down the bag completely from top to bottom.

3. Treat Stains and Heavily Soiled Areas

   If stains and soil remain, add a few drops of dishwashing detergent liquid to 1-quart water. Dip a white cloth in the solution, and blot heavily soiled areas. Keep moving to a clean spot on the cloth as grime is transferred. If there are stubborn stains, use a toothbrush dipped in the soapy solution to scrub them out. Finish by rinsing the cloth well in water and wiping away any detergent residue.

4. Clean the Hardware

   Use a good-quality metal polish or brass cleaner to help bring the shine back to the purse's hardware. This will work best if you use a light hand because most hardware is simply plated base metal. Dip a cotton swab in the polish, and apply to the metal. Use a soft white cloth to buff away the tarnish. Be very careful to keep the cleaner off the handbag fabric as it can cause discoloration.

5. Allow the Bag to Air-Dry

   Allow the bag to air-dry in a cool place away from direct sunlight or heat. If the bag won't hold its shape while damp, fill it with white tissue paper. Don't use colored paper or newspapers because ink can transfer. Don't use the bag while it's damp because damp fabric picks up stains more quickly than dry fabric.

How to Clean a Straw Handbag

1. Empty and Vacuum

   Empty the purse and all interior pockets. Woven straw bags attract dust and dirt into the crevices; using your vacuum cleaner's upholstery brush attachment is the best way to keep the straw free of dust and grime.

   If you don't have an upholstery brush attachment for your vacuum, place an old pair of pantyhose over the vacuum hose nozzle, and use a rubber band to hold it in place.

2. Clean the Lining

   If the straw bag has a fabric lining, vacuum it well, and spot treat any stains as you would on a fabric handbag. If the lining is removable, hand-wash it in the sink, and allow it to dry completely before reinserting.

3. Clean the Straw

   For surface dirt, slightly dampen a clean cloth with water, and gently wipe the dirt away. This can help to brighten the colors of a straw handbag, as well.

   To treat a heavily soiled area on the straw, mix a few drops of dishwashing detergent in 1 cup warm water. Find an old toothbrush, and dip it in the mixture. Gently rub the stained area with the soapy toothbrush following the grain of the straw. Wipe the area with a clean white cloth that has been dipped in water to remove any soap residue and loosened soil. Don't wet the straw too much.
   

   Tip

   Make sure to do a spot test before beginning to ensure no discoloration or color bleeding occurs.

4. Dry the Bag

   Allow the bag to air-dry away from direct heat and sunlight.

Treating Stains on Fabric and Straw Handbags

Treating stains on a straw handbag can be almost like caring for a straw hat. Here are three common stains you may need to remove from both fabric and straw handbags.

• Ink: To clean ink from a fabric handbag, dip a cotton ball or swab in rubbing alcohol, and squeeze it so it's damp but not wet. Dab the stain gently to dissolve the ink, and then blot firmly with a dry paper towel. Repeat until the stain is gone.
• Makeup: To remove makeup stains from a fabric handbag, remove as much damp or dry makeup as possible with a dry paper towel or a hand vacuum. Next, wipe with a damp paper towel, and treat with a laundry stain remover as recommended for specific types of makeup stains.
• Oil: To remove an oily or greasy stain on a straw handbag, cover it with cornstarch or talcum powder to absorb the stain. Wait a couple of hours, and then brush away the powder with a soft-bristled brush.

Care and Repairs

It's easier to fix a fabric or straw handbag than you might think, mostly because you can remedy the interior of the purse with fusing tape, needle and thread, or hot glue if necessary. Sometimes repairing a purse's handle or rivet is best left to a professional, such as a shoe repair specialist or even a dry cleaning service.

How to Fix a Fabric Handbag

To salvage a minor rip on the outside of a fabric bag, treat it like any other type of fabric item and repair it with a needle and thread, though you may need an upholstery needle to handle the thickness of the textile. If you can access the rip from inside the purse (if the liner is removable, for example), you can use adhesive fabric fusing tape on the inner portion of the purse to discreetly close the tear.

How to Fix a Straw Handbag

If you have a straw purse with a loose or unfurling piece of straw, use hot glue to secure the piece back into place. If there is a small fray and your purse does not have a lining, there's an easy fix; hot glue a small piece of any type of fabric to the inside of the purse where the fray is located to stabilize the problem. If you have a braided raffia bag and the outside of it is showing little fraying "hairs," it's okay to snip them off; it won't hurt the bag.

Storing Fabric and Straw Handbags

Storing straw handbags can be tricky, so choose a spot that is not overly dry or too humid. Make sure the storage spot doesn't experience extreme temperature swings or bright sunlight. Never store a straw handbag in a plastic bag or box.

The best place to store any type of handbag is in a closet. Place a fabric or straw handbag in a cotton or fabric bag or box to allow the purse to breathe without accumulating dust. Always store a handbag standing up and stuff it with acid-free tissue paper to help it keep its shape. Don't bend a straw purse when storing it or parts of it could crack.

How Often to Clean Fabric and Straw Handbags

All brands of fabric and straw bags will eventually need to be cleaned. If you use your handbag every day, clean it every two to three months. For special occasion purses, a good cleaning every six to nine months should suffice. Take the time to clean your bags properly.

Tips for Cleaning Fabric and Straw Handbags

• Fabric handbags that don't have leather trim or internal structural supports can be hand-washed like a sweater. Use cool water and gentle soap. Do not wring. Rinse well, and allow to air-dry away from direct sunlight.
• Treat new fabric bags with a protective spray, like TexGuard or Scotchgard, to ward off stains.
• A designer straw bag may have a thin coating of shiny shellac on it for protection. Ask a professional if your straw bag needs to be recoated to protect it from fading.
• Between cleanings for a straw purse, use packing tape, with the sticky side out, and tap it all around the handbag to pick up dust, lint, and dander.
• Keep makeup in a sealed waterproof bag within your purse to keep prevent stains.
• If the care label says to avoid washing the bag at home or you don't want to use water on the fabric, take the purse to the dry cleaner.
• To help remove odors, fill a small container with baking soda, place it inside the bag, and let it sit for 24 hours to absorb the smell.
• Be mindful of where you set down your bag to avoid soiling the purse. The floors of public spaces can easily stain your bag, which will require more cleanings.