[betnyp]

Hey again! To answer a few questions...the smell is hard to describe because it's not smoke or anything specific- just very stale & musty. It is in both the lining and the leather...it really needs a bath :) Thanks to all of you I'm not so worried about the Woolite, but now am concerned about conditioning it- I really shouldn't use Lubriderm? I assume organic baby lotion isn't any better? What you say about it not being for leather makes sense, Powderpuff... just bummed b/c that's all I have on hand for this. If you guys really think I should go with Apple conditioner, I'll have to order it online & wait for it to arrive...so maybe this will have to wait until next weekend??? Unless I can pick up a leather conditioner available in stores- any suggestions, or is Apple really the best? (and does anyone have a link)?
I am attaching pictures- you can see that it is broken in (love that) but that it has darkened areas that I hope will come clean after this project...

[betnyp]

Here are a few more...thanks for all the help and advice- please keep it coming!

[Luvhandbags!]

I've not had any experience with "washing" a leather bag, but this one does look like it has been wet before. I would go to a shop that specializes in leather (you are in L.A. and there are some great ones out there) and see what they say. I was given the name of a leather shop on one of my trips out there, but can't remember the name of it. Why don't you call Barney's on Wilshire and speak to John in handbags and ask him the name of a good leather shop. Or call NM or Sak's handbags depts and ask them. Even the shoe depts. as they know who they send stuff out to. Hope this helps and let us know what you decide to do.

[debsmith]

I must be the only paranoid scaredy cat here....I would be far more comfortable just sending it off to LMB. Since they're able to remove set-in stain/oil residue from handles why wouldn't they be able to do a deep cleaning on the entire bag? It would be worth the cost of going that route to me rather than risking possibly ruining the color...and if it already has an odor I would be concerned water might intensify it. Good luck....can't wait to see what you decide and the outcome.

[betnyp]

Well...you all make a good point about sending it to LMB or another professional- but I have heard mixed reviews...I still may, but if the bag gets messed up I think I would rather have myself to blame than regret sending it away, KWIM? Earlier this week I ordered Apple care products to do the job myself :) I was hoping they would arrive by today so I could get to work on it this weekend, but they have not (and unfortunately I am busy tomorrow/sunday, so this will have to wait another week).
Stay tuned I guess...and advice is still welcomed :)

[ivylouwho]

Originally Posted by debsmith

I must be the only paranoid scaredy cat here....I would be far more comfortable just sending it off to LMB. Since they're able to remove set-in stain/oil residue from handles why wouldn't they be able to do a deep cleaning on the entire bag? It would be worth the cost of going that route to me rather than risking possibly ruining the color...and if it already has an odor I would be concerned water might intensify it. Good luck....can't wait to see what you decide and the outcome.

Ditto! ^

Or try to take it somewhere... some kind of drycleaner/repair shop place.

Also, I had a friend that had cigarette smell in a bag. She got two boxes of arm & hammer baking soda fridge boxes, opened them up, put the boxes inside the bag, zipped the bag up, put it in the dustcover and forgot about it for two weeks! It really helped!

[quilter]

Betnyp, hope you got tmy reply to your PM..let us know..like Shasta said, "we've got your back"! do take photos all the way through and share the Saga with us..don't forget that goats, as well as sheep and cows and all things 'Leather' live outside and often swim too!

[mmmsc]

I vote for sending it to LMB and they will most likely fix it better than any of these "experimental solutions." Though I think Corey's idea about the city litter is brilliant. One month sealed in that absorbent clay might just do it. What can it hurt, and you only lose your bag for a month ! I wouldn't put water on it, but that is just me!!! Now I am nervous about the 2005 Choc work that I bought (haven't received yet) Must admit I hadn't thought about dealing with the possible bad smell of a "used bag" (however rare and coveted) I notice there are a lot of "non-smoker household" claims when selling on eBay.

[betnyp]

Originally Posted by quilter

Betnyp, hope you got tmy reply to your PM..let us know..like Shasta said, "we've got your back"! do take photos all the way through and share the Saga with us..don't forget that goats, as well as sheep and cows and all things 'Leather' live outside and often swim too!

I feel so much better after your step-by-step, Quilter...thank you!!!

Thank you all for your input! I know it is a risk, but feel it simply must have a bath Next weekend my Apple care products will have arrived, and I am really going to do it (job and toddler are making it hard to devote proper time to this and I want to do it right :)
I won't use Lubriderm b/c I agree with powderpuff in that it's not made for leather, but my remaining question is whether to use the apple conditioner while it's still damp to retain moisture OR wait until it is dry to prevent possible fungus??? Both sides make sense to me...hmmm- what do you all think?

[aaallabama]

Originally Posted by betnyp

I feel so much better after your step-by-step, Quilter...thank you!!!

Thank you all for your input! I know it is a risk, but feel it simply must have a bath Next weekend my Apple care products will have arrived, and I am really going to do it (job and toddler are making it hard to devote proper time to this and I want to do it right :)
I won't use Lubriderm b/c I agree with powderpuff in that it's not made for leather, but my remaining question is whether to use the apple conditioner while it's still damp to retain moisture OR wait until it is dry to prevent possible fungus??? Both sides make sense to me...hmmm- what do you all think?

^^ my vote's to wait 'till it's dry

[goldilocks10023]

Originally Posted by betnyp

... my remaining question is whether to use the apple conditioner while it's still damp to retain moisture OR wait until it is dry to prevent possible fungus??? Both sides make sense to me...hmmm- what do you all think?

Just my .02 but I think you should condition while it's just the teensiest bit damp. Human skin moisturizes better when you apply lotion to damp skin, why would goat/lamb skin be different?

[pinkboudoir]

I think it is best to wait till it is dry too. Our skin takes to moisturizer better but they are still alive. The leather on our bags have gone through a lot of process & is not breathing. Then again, it just my opinion. I also worry if you try to rub in moisturizer on damp leather, you might inadvertently soften the top layer & crumble it. But yes this part I am liking it to wet paper, which probably do not really apply in the case of leather. But I think it is better to err on the safe side.

[betnyp]

I did it…with SUCCESS!!!!!! So sorry not to have posted about this sooner...here are details with pics:
Last weekend I had time while DD napped and took the plunge! Armed with knowledge of Quilter’s and Kirsten’s extensive step-by-step experience (Thanks SOOO much to you both) I felt ready. I want to say- I did not take this lightly at all and I was really scared before putting that gorgeous piece of leather into a sink full of Woolite suds. I almost hyperventilated, but I turned the bag inside out and just dunked it. I started with the lining and then turned it right side out and focused on the parts I thought needed most attention. I put a bit more Woolite on those spots, but didn’t leave it in the sink very long (maybe 3 minutes total) because was worried about losing too much color. The Bordeaux color did leak and make the water pinkish red, but actually not as bad as I anticipated.

[betnyp]

...I then dunked into sink of clean water and after squeezing suds out I ran it under faucet until I was sure there were no more! I got out the excess water, and rolled it in towels inside & out. I then hung it up, and actually a toddler size hanger fit inside just right since I wanted it zipped up (so as not to make the handles hang dry in an odd way).

[betnyp]

I let it dry for two days (there were some scary moments b/c it was so dark when wet that I was worried about the color returning- but it did)!!! I slathered it with conditioner when I felt it was totally dry (thanks for helping with that decision). Let me just say that I ordered, received, and planned on using Apple conditioner… I hear the conditioner works great and may even be the best, but it did not smell good to me at all!! So I postponed while I ordered LMB moisturizer and it was worth it because now my bag smells great...which was the main problem to begin with