Our beloved items are the things that sustain the most wear and tear. Granted, wear and tear are not easy to tackle, but keeping your favorite items clean will maintain and restore their look. While you can put most things in the wash, your prized Coach bag is not something you should drop in the washing machine.
Among various fashion brands, Coach handbags are well known and preferred for their unique structure and prints. Most prints are textured; this gives the bag a beautiful look and touch. Unfortunately, this fabric is hard to maintain.
Your bag will, as all things do, get dirty over time. The chances are that if you’ve already spent a fortune to fulfill your desire of owning a luxury Coach bag, you’re most likely reluctant to buy a high-priced cleaner. The following cleaning methods can increase the life of your bag with supplies you can find in most homes.
You can undertake regular cleaning of your bag as well as deal with tough spots without ruining the fabric. Adopting a habit of regular cleaning will help your bag retain its luxurious appearance.
Here are two simple methods to clean your Coach handbag and make it look new:
Contents
Method 1: Maintenance Cleaning with Water
Regular cleaning will ensure that it takes you little time and effort to keep your Coach bag clean and presentable.
Things you’ll need:
- Coach bag
- Bowl of water
- Sponge
- Lint-free towel
Step 1. Wet the sponge
Dip a sponge into the bowl of water. Squeeze it tightly to remove most of the water, retaining only a little moisture.
Step 2. Gently rub the fabric of the bag
Work the damp sponge gently over the fabric of the bag. Use gentle, circular motions rather than hard scouring. If the sponge pad you’re using is double-sided, use the soft spongy side to clean the fabric.
If the sponge becomes dirty, empty the bowl and refill. Just be sure to squeeze out the excess water before continuing the cleaning.
Step 3. Clean the bottom and straps
Do not neglect the bottom and the straps of the bag. The base of your bag picks up most of the dirt, as it comes in contact with all sorts of surfaces. The straps of a handbag also become dirty quickly because they are touched the most and are contaminated by germs that get on your hands.
Step 4. Wipe off any moisture and let the bag air-dry
Dry your bag as much as you can with a lint-free cloth. Let it air out to dry completely.
Method 2: Spot Cleaning with Baby Wash
This method is good for spot cleaning or if you’re cleaning your Coach handbag after a long period of time.
Things you’ll need:
- Coach bag
- Baby Wash
- Bowl of water
- Sponge
- Nail brush
- Hand towel
- Lint-free towel
Step 1. Set the bag on a hand towel
Set your Coach handbag on a hand towel. This way you’ll prevent your workstation from getting dirty as well as protect your bag from excess moisture.
Step 2. Wet the sponge
Dunk the sponge into the bowl of water and squeeze it to drain out the excess water.
Step 3. Squirt a drop of baby wash on the sponge
Squirt a drop of baby wash on the sponge. Remember to use the spongy side if you’re using a double-sided scouring pad.
Detergents and regular soaps are not good for the fabric of your bag. Baby wash is milder than other cleansers.
Step 4. Clean the dirt patches with the sudsy sponge
Remove the stubborn dirt spots with the sudsy sponge. Again, gentle, circular motions are advised to prevent damaging the bag’s fabric.
For tough stains, leave the soap on the fabric for 10-20 minutes, this will allow it to penetrate the textile and will remove the stains without excessive scrubbing that can damage the fabric. As you wait, you can clean the handbag's interior or hardware.
Step 5. Use a nail brush to clean the zippers and hard-to-reach spots
Use a nail brush to clean the nooks and crannies of your bag as well as the zippers. A nail brush like the one used here is designed to be used on your nails, so it is very gentle. Still, it’s a brush. Watch the pressure you put on it, as you don’t want to ruin your bag.
Step 6. Wipe off any moisture
Spot cleaning leaves more moisture on your bag. Use a lint-free towel to wipe off the moisture before letting the bag air-dry. If you’ve used more than a modest amount of baby wash on your bag, wipe it clean with a soap-free, dampened sponge before drying it with the lint-free cloth.
If the interior lining of your handbag is also dirty, repeat the steps above to clean it. Remember, the lining can be thin, to avoid rips and tears be gentle as you can.
Additional Tips
- Coach handbags are not made for washing machines. They can only sustain gentle, manual cleaning.
- Harsh scrubbing and scouring should be avoided at all costs if you wish to preserve the texture of your bag.
- Always work the sponge in gentle circular motions.
- Avoid overly wetting your bag. Squeeze the sponge out thoroughly to remove excess water.
- Do not dry your precious handbag in the sun. Sunlight can be harsh on the fabric and dull its color. Air-drying in a cool, dark place is the way to go.
- Manage the items in your bag to prevent staining. Keep your makeup, creams, and lotions in a separate pouch. Keep your markers and pens capped.
- Remove color or ink stains from your bag with a cotton swab soaked in nail polish remover.
- Always test any cleaner on an inconspicuous spot before using.
Thank you for this information! Can I please ask how to repair little tears in coach canvas bags. The ones you would see usually at the corners from regular wears and tear. Thank you!!!
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Hi Lm, Thanks for your query.
You can always use the above stated information to clean and maintain the worn out edges.
We also looked carefully into your problem, but unfortunately the fabric tear is irreparable. Even if you use a mild fabric glue, it could damage your canvas fabric, so we wont suggest it either.
-Team FabHow
verry detailed step by step teach how to clean a leather bag.really learnt a lot and find it very helpful and thanks for sharing!
This is very good that the process is simple any one can it, if they two hands, I will encourage people to read this , very helpful.
Thank you very much
Dear Users
Thank you all for your comment.
Stay tuned with us for more such informative content.
Thank you for this very useful write up. Will be cleaning my 2 coach bags this weekend.
Hi Rose
Glad you liked it. Do let us know how the methods work out for you.
-FabHow