Valuable tips on how to machine wash your leather backpack and hand wash

Leather backpacks have increased durability and, with proper care, can last for more than one year.

During operation, the accessory will inevitably become covered with dirt, therefore it needs periodic cleaning.

How to do it correctly so as not to spoil the product, not everyone knows. Therefore, it is worth dealing with the nuances.

This article will show you if you can how to wash a backpack (leather or leatherette) in the washing machine and by hand.

Is it possible in the washing machine?

A genuine leather backpack cannot be machine washed. Leather Products preferably hand clean.

Handwash

Since washing a leather backpack in the usual way is strictly contraindicated, the only way out is wet or dry cleaning.

How often and how it is required to carry it out depends on the color and texture of the product:

• bright - need more frequent cleansing than dark;
• aging skin - are distinguished by their greater resistance to pollution;
• embossed leather - washing with warm water and cleaning with a stiff brush is contraindicated;
• products with lacquered and suede inserts - are especially sensitive to negative external factors, require a careful approach to themselves.

To care for a leather backpack, you need to get a special set:

• with a soft bristle brush;
• wet and dry wipes;
• mild detergents for leather products;
• sponges;
• various impregnations and paints for leather.

First of all, take out the contents and turn out the lining, clean it with a sponge dipped in soapy water... Upon completion of the procedure, wipe the backpack from the inside with a solution of ammonia, liquid soap and water (1: 1: 5).

If this did not help to eliminate the dirt on the material and an unpleasant odor remained, try another method:

1. Soda is mixed with water and the resulting gruel is treated with problem areas.
2. After 15-20 minutes, the mixture is washed off with warm water.

Fresh stains can be easily rubbed off with alcohol or vodka... And the small debris accumulated inside is removed with a vacuum cleaner.

Outside, creases, seams and handles are rubbed with ammonia, and then they are passed over the rest of the area. After 5-10 minutes, wipe with a solution prepared on the basis of liquid soap (dishwashing detergent).

Leather products are extremely susceptible to excess moisture. therefore all manipulations are carried out quickly so that water is not absorbed into the material.

If it was not possible to avoid getting very wet, then the backpack is filled with crumpled newspapers (they absorb moisture well).

Cleaning backpacks depending on the color and type of material:

1. Black or dark shades... Natural ground coffee is used. Make a gruel: 1 tsp. and some water. Apply the mixture to the surface in a circular motion and rinse off with a wet cloth immediately upon completion. An alternative to coffee is glycerin.
2. Light or white... Cow's milk shows a good result. It cleanses and softens the skin. It is preliminarily slightly warmed up and using a cotton swab, they begin to process the surface of the product.

   You can mix whipped egg white with milk. Lemon juice or laundry soap dissolved in warm water will safely cope with minor dirt and gray bloom.

3. Colored. To prevent the drawing from fading, use soft sponges or cloths for cleaning. Soapy water works well as a cleanser. And oily deposits are effectively washed off with dishwashing liquid. It is recommended to clean the red backpack with talcum powder.
4. Patent and smooth leather... Patent and smooth leather is wiped off with a damp cloth and rubbed with a velvety cloth. Another option is to use halved onions for peeling. For protection, they cover the skin with special products sold in shoe departments.

How to remove various stains?

To remove stains of various origins from leather backpacks, both chemicals and improvised means are suitable.

Here are the most common blending options:

• petroleum jelly, glycerin, castor oil;
• make-up remover or tonic without alcohol in the composition;
• household soap: rub the shavings and dilute in warm water;
• ammonia added to the soap solution;
• cosmetic milk for the face or hand cream (against greasy spots);
• hydrogen peroxide (from greasy gloss and fingerprints);
• white stationery eraser;
• whitening toothpaste without dyes;
• melamine sponge;
• talcum powder or baby powder (rub in and leave for half an hour, then wash off with soapy water).

Recent stains on a leather backpack can be easily removed with antibacterial wet wipes.

Features of cleaning leatherette

Backpacks made of leatherette and eco-leather are also undesirable to machine. Better to clean by hand. Pre-remove local contamination. A mixture of vodka and ammonia will help with this.

Next, wash the backpack outside with soapy water. After that, wipe the product with a damp cloth, then dry it.

When there are no clear contraindications on the tag regarding machine washing, then the procedure is carried out under the appropriate modes:

• "Delicate wash" (30 ᵒС);
• "Manual mode" (no more than 40 ᵒС);
• "Fast mode" (30 ᵒС);
• "For colored linen" (30 ᵒС).

For spinning, set the minimum number of revolutions.

Tips for hand washing:

• pre-remove belts and other decor from the backpack (if possible);
• remove stubborn dirt;
• water is poured into a basin, with a temperature of up to 40 ᵒС;
• add a liquid detergent that does not contain chlorine, but with a whitening effect;
• use a soft brush or piece of cloth for cleaning;
• at the end of the procedure, wash the product with clean water;
• the backpack is squeezed out without making any special efforts so as not to deform;
• allow to dry naturally.

Suede backpack

Suede backpacks require a careful approach, so hand and machine wash is contraindicated for them. Such products can be dry cleaned, then they will retain their original appearance longer.

They act as follows:

1. Use a flannel cloth to remove surface dust and other dirt from the product.
2. They put the water to boil and hold the backpack over the steam that appears for about 10 minutes. This technique allows the lint to straighten out and get rid of the remaining dirt.
3. Wipe off the suede with a flannel.

Drying rules

Regardless of the chosen method of cleaning the backpack, drying should be done in a well ventilated area... The product is straightened and laid out on a flat surface or suspended.

Advice

Since the skin is too sensitive material to different types of exposure, then when cleaning, it is important to know what is prohibited:

• use hard brushes;
• wash in plenty of water;
• often use aggressive substances: solvents, acetone, turpentine, gasoline (only possible in exceptional cases);
• dry on heating appliances or near them.

As for the cleaning process itself, there are certain nuances here:

• start with lining;
• before removing stains, wipe the backpack with soapy water or ammonia;
• without hesitation, remove excess moisture with a dry napkin;
• carefully select a cleaning agent taking into account the type and color of the skin;
• at the end, cover the product with a water-repellent cream of the same color or colorless.

If cracks, creases and other minor defects appear on the skin, they are masked with a special cream of the same color. To keep the white leather backpack as pristine as possible, the accessory is treated with hydrophobic impregnation immediately after purchase. This will prevent contamination.

Related Videos

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Conclusion

Now it is clear how to properly wash a backpack made of genuine and artificial leather. Only, this is often not recommended, since dampness negatively affects the quality of the leather and the product as a whole. It is better to constantly take care of the accessory, avoiding heavy pollution.