Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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So I bathed my City Bag in Dawn Dish Detergent and it looks beautiful (almost completely dry) but unfortunately the cigarette smell remains 
Any suggestions/tips on how to get rid of that, or am I out of luck?
Any suggestions/tips on how to get rid of that, or am I out of luck?
I know people will say dryer sheets, or charcoal or baking soda but A while back i found This product which is available at Lowes. http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogD...Id=10151&N=0&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&rpp=24
I've used this on plenty of purses and clothes among other things. It's nice because unlike Fabreeze it doesn't have it's own odor once it's dry. it's not trying to cover the odor with some perfume-y smell. I would suggest using this on the inside of the bag and pretty much get all of the lining really wet and then let it dry and see if it removes the odor. I have used this on the outside of leather bags but just spritzing not completely saturating.I still don't think it would hurt it because it claims to be safe for leather. I have saturated fabric bags though and it was fine and worked really really well. I keep this stuff on hand in general because i have animals and it always seems to do the trick. And it's not very expensive.
I've used this on plenty of purses and clothes among other things. It's nice because unlike Fabreeze it doesn't have it's own odor once it's dry. it's not trying to cover the odor with some perfume-y smell. I would suggest using this on the inside of the bag and pretty much get all of the lining really wet and then let it dry and see if it removes the odor. I have used this on the outside of leather bags but just spritzing not completely saturating.I still don't think it would hurt it because it claims to be safe for leather. I have saturated fabric bags though and it was fine and worked really really well. I keep this stuff on hand in general because i have animals and it always seems to do the trick. And it's not very expensive.
Ugh, thats not what I want to hear as those 2 white bags I'm looking at on ebay are from smoking homes. I've never rehabbed a smoky bag but my momma always told me baking powder and the sun helped with odors. I wouldn't put a wet bag out in the sun though as it might dry unevenly and spot.
I think I would redunk with a baking soda heavy batch of water, let it soak awhile (unless its a color prone to bleed a lot) rinse WELL then after it drys, sun her a lot. But wait for other opinions as I've never personally solved this problem. Its just a guess. It just never seems to me like the "sachet" type solutions I've seen would get to the root of the problem.
I think I would redunk with a baking soda heavy batch of water, let it soak awhile (unless its a color prone to bleed a lot) rinse WELL then after it drys, sun her a lot. But wait for other opinions as I've never personally solved this problem. Its just a guess. It just never seems to me like the "sachet" type solutions I've seen would get to the root of the problem.
So far I've bathed in Dawn, rinsed, bathed in Dawn, rinsed, soaked in clear water, rinsed... Let it dry in the sun while stuffed with paper towels... Let it dry inside over night... Just now I took the wet paper towels out and stuffed with dry again, then gave it a rub down with diluted alcohol. It seems to be getting better, but it's still not pleasant. Why do people ruin their things with smoke?! Ugh.
I read that diluted vinegar works (going to try) as well as stuffing a nylon sock with dry coffee grinds and leaving it in the bag (going to try that too). Last resort will be the baking soda sealed into a plastic box with the purse. I'm NOT putting the bag in the dryer (I read to do this somewhere but disagree) and I'm not using dryer sheets either. I hate dryer sheets. You just end up with perfumed smoke or perfumed mildew or whatever.
I read that diluted vinegar works (going to try) as well as stuffing a nylon sock with dry coffee grinds and leaving it in the bag (going to try that too). Last resort will be the baking soda sealed into a plastic box with the purse. I'm NOT putting the bag in the dryer (I read to do this somewhere but disagree) and I'm not using dryer sheets either. I hate dryer sheets. You just end up with perfumed smoke or perfumed mildew or whatever.
Baking SODA...just like in the fridge. I've read Docride suggesting making little sachet pouches out of something breath-able. Sunshine probably will help as well. All of my bags dry on the lanai (screen room) in the sun, but the screen offers a little shade.
I don't know about dunking in a soda bath - that may not be a good idea, as I think it may darken the leather. A soda bath is suggested after dying leather with vinegaroon (vinegar black) to reduce the smell, but it often darkens the leather. I'd wait for other opinions on this. Good Luck!
Ooops! Total brain fart, I was picturing the yellow box as I was typing "powder" instead of "soda".
The baking soda makes sense with vinegaroon as it would neutralize the acid. I'd still be temped to test out a baking soda bath on a stinky bag...it just makes sense to me as the best way to neutralize something that's embedded in the leather like cigarette smoke would be. Very wise to spot check though. I'd also worry about white residue on a black or darker bag.
I dry my bags outdoors in the shade when possible too, it's putting a wet bag in direct sunlight that causes hot spots that make the bag dry unevenly to create water spots. Drying times are less of an issue here than it is in Joodlz clime, I suspect, as I live in the desert where the air is dry.
I think I'm ready to dunk a bag today...feelin sorta itchy...
The baking soda makes sense with vinegaroon as it would neutralize the acid. I'd still be temped to test out a baking soda bath on a stinky bag...it just makes sense to me as the best way to neutralize something that's embedded in the leather like cigarette smoke would be. Very wise to spot check though. I'd also worry about white residue on a black or darker bag.
I dry my bags outdoors in the shade when possible too, it's putting a wet bag in direct sunlight that causes hot spots that make the bag dry unevenly to create water spots. Drying times are less of an issue here than it is in Joodlz clime, I suspect, as I live in the desert where the air is dry.
I think I'm ready to dunk a bag today...feelin sorta itchy...
Thanks for this info! I will never, ever buy a cigarette smoke smelly bag again! I am currently struggling with a navy Willis bag that is in great shape but I can't get the smoke smell out of it. I have washed it in the sink and in the washer and tried all of the usual tricks like baking soda and dryer sheets but I can't eliminate the odor. It smells a lot better but the cigarette smell still lingers.
I am allergic to Febreeze and besides, I prefer not to try covering the smell with a perfumy scent anyway. I will get some Zorbex and spot-check it and then give it a try, thank you!
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I was asking some questions on the eBay discussion forums about my Coach "vintage" purse which I bought on consignment a few months back. It seems to be authentic, but I'm actually more interested in asking about rehabbing it. After looking at a few pictures, one of the posters there directed me here.
The leather is in good condition, a nice mahogany and the stitching is fine. There's some discoloration on the turn-clasp, but it doesn't bother me.
My purse seems to be a Court style purse from 1999. In that time, the brass D-rings which support the dog leash strap have worn down from the constant friction of the metal clip hanging from the metal D-ring. At some point here, the metal is going to wear right through.
I'd have to go on a hunt for the correct D-ring (tack supply catalogs, luggage repair sites, etc.), and I have the skills to do basic leather stitching (I used to repair horse tack in a previous life). Since the bag isn't lined, it's really no problem to clip the stitching, roll out the old D-ring, and restitch the tabs using the same holes.
However, it would be much easier to send this bag to Coach and ask them to replace the D-rings.
Does anyone know if Coach is likely to do this? Or am I going to lose my "vintage" bag that I love so much ($65 at a consignment shop). I'm pretty reluctant to go fiddling with a bag on my own, but if I'm not going to see it again, I'd rather bastardize it and keep it than have it disappear into the great unknown.
Pictures from my photobucket:
http://s1148.photobucket.com/albums/o575/SamiljanS/Coach/
I can take others if these aren't good enough. Remember though, I'm not really asking for an authentication. I'm more concerned about repairing this so that I can continue to use it.
Thanks for your help in advance!
The leather is in good condition, a nice mahogany and the stitching is fine. There's some discoloration on the turn-clasp, but it doesn't bother me.
My purse seems to be a Court style purse from 1999. In that time, the brass D-rings which support the dog leash strap have worn down from the constant friction of the metal clip hanging from the metal D-ring. At some point here, the metal is going to wear right through.
I'd have to go on a hunt for the correct D-ring (tack supply catalogs, luggage repair sites, etc.), and I have the skills to do basic leather stitching (I used to repair horse tack in a previous life). Since the bag isn't lined, it's really no problem to clip the stitching, roll out the old D-ring, and restitch the tabs using the same holes.
However, it would be much easier to send this bag to Coach and ask them to replace the D-rings.
Does anyone know if Coach is likely to do this? Or am I going to lose my "vintage" bag that I love so much ($65 at a consignment shop). I'm pretty reluctant to go fiddling with a bag on my own, but if I'm not going to see it again, I'd rather bastardize it and keep it than have it disappear into the great unknown.
Pictures from my photobucket:
http://s1148.photobucket.com/albums/o575/SamiljanS/Coach/
I can take others if these aren't good enough. Remember though, I'm not really asking for an authentication. I'm more concerned about repairing this so that I can continue to use it.
Thanks for your help in advance!
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You might want to check out Silver Coach to see if they have the right size D-ring for you:
http://myworld.ebay.com/silver-coach/
and if they do you might want to just take it to a cobbler and have them sew it in? Others might have suggestions too.
I am curious what could have happened to the bag to make it wear so much. I would bet it will end up lasting a good long while in that condition.
Has anyone ever seen the brass that worn out? I think it's an unusual enough position that it might not wear any further under normal use. We've seen some beat up bags here and I don't think I've ever seen that. I think sewing in a new d-ring might look weirder than the worn old one, because of the new stitching.
http://myworld.ebay.com/silver-coach/
and if they do you might want to just take it to a cobbler and have them sew it in? Others might have suggestions too.
I am curious what could have happened to the bag to make it wear so much. I would bet it will end up lasting a good long while in that condition.
Has anyone ever seen the brass that worn out? I think it's an unusual enough position that it might not wear any further under normal use. We've seen some beat up bags here and I don't think I've ever seen that. I think sewing in a new d-ring might look weirder than the worn old one, because of the new stitching.
Very nice bag, your pictures are fine. I am sure that a bath and conditioner will have it looking like new again! coach will not repair the bag but they will send free turnlock replacement kits. But the discoloration on the turnlock usually disappears with brasso or other metal polish. I have rehabbed several court bags and they all came out well, but I never had one that had so much wear on the D rings.
I understand that Coach will also send free D ring replacements for Willis bags (the kind that screw in through the dowel bar) but I don't know if they would work for your Court bag. If the size is close you might be able to cut off the current rings and screw on the new ones. Silver Coach on ebay sells matching hardware for Coach bags.
I don't see a Coach hangtag on your bag. Coach will send you a free replacement hangtag and chain. Just call their customer service. They might also give you D rings for the Court Bag since that product is still in production. It can take awhile for the replacement items to show up, but they are free and authentic!
Before you invest a lot of effort into rehabbing your bag you should have it authenticated here on the Coach TPF forum. You will find the authentication thread at the link below, use the format in the first post for your request. Good luck!
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-694619.html
You will find helpful links for rehabbing vintage bags here:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-223.html#post21976449
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Looks like you already thought of what I did about changing the bag by restitching it.Speaking of Silver Coach, I'm seriously considering ordering a Willis-like handle for my Logan Bag. I carried it all weekend long and I find that I grab it by the dowel. The dowel was by far the dirtiest part of the bag when I started rehabbing her. If I add a handle, it will actually make it a little like the new Willis. Here's a picture of her wet:
I kind of like the idea of keeping her "stock" but this seems like it's a bag I'm going to use a lot and overall this will help her last longer. I tested with the (long) dog leash strap from another purse and there's room on the d-ring for the handle. I'm letting the idea sit in my brain for awhile before I do it though. If I don't like it I'm out about $20 but since it's a dog leash clip it's not a major commitment.
I kind of like the idea of keeping her "stock" but this seems like it's a bag I'm going to use a lot and overall this will help her last longer. I tested with the (long) dog leash strap from another purse and there's room on the d-ring for the handle. I'm letting the idea sit in my brain for awhile before I do it though. If I don't like it I'm out about $20 but since it's a dog leash clip it's not a major commitment.
Is this because this amount of wear is extreme? Or, in general, do they not restitch the bags?
Hmm. That's a good idea.
Thanks for the links to the rehabbing threads; I've been reading them with interest.
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