If you hear some noise coming from yer garage one night, just pay no mind and go back to sleep.
:giggles: You are going to have to bring steak to bribe the dogs though!
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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:giggles: You are going to have to bring steak to bribe the dogs though!
I too have used Woolite and more. I think you have to choose more aggressive cleaning methods on bags that you just wouldn't carry otherwise. A lot of the bags that are posted here are usually a big hot mess and require a lot of heavy handed work. But they'd be in a landfill otherwise. So basically assess each bag based on its damage, its value, and how attached to it you are. Any bag that's wearable is better than one thats in the garbage. These older Coaches are tough and somewhere in this thread one of the gals posted an old "care card" to a really old NYC coach bag I think, and it SAID that these bags could be washed with soap. I wish we had access to a person who does ARCHIVAL leather care and who knows first hand the time frame and leather break down factor of any given soap and its ph, etc. I am sure that must exist somewhere.
I think a good place to get archival leather info might be some of the military gear refurbishing boards, you just have to keep in mind that 99% of the people posting out there are people like us who are experimenting. There might be one person out there who knows what they're talking about.
I read somewhere about using shampoo and liquid soap to clean the bathtub and I have to tell you, it works great-better than some heavy duty cleaners meant for the bathroom. If we have old hotel shampoos laying around or rejected "flavors" of shampoos I often use that to with an old bath pouf that I keep handy for quick tub cleanings. I've never tried it on leather bags but I've thought about it, if I had something without a lot of other additives I might even try it. I just assume that it works well on the tub because it's designed to clean body oils, and maybe it would do well cleaning the "burnished" oily handles and such we struggle with. The pH might be in the ball park too.
I agree though, if you have a bag that you're not going to carry because of a stain, getting aggressive with it may save it. One of the reasons I'm such an advocate of just throwing it in the washing machine and getting it over with is that I think sometimes the gentle cleanings we start off with set the stains so they NEVER come out.
I read somewhere about using shampoo and liquid soap to clean the bathtub and I have to tell you, it works great-better than some heavy duty cleaners meant for the bathroom. If we have old hotel shampoos laying around or rejected "flavors" of shampoos I often use that to with an old bath pouf that I keep handy for quick tub cleanings. I've never tried it on leather bags but I've thought about it, if I had something without a lot of other additives I might even try it. I just assume that it works well on the tub because it's designed to clean body oils, and maybe it would do well cleaning the "burnished" oily handles and such we struggle with. The pH might be in the ball park too.
I agree though, if you have a bag that you're not going to carry because of a stain, getting aggressive with it may save it. One of the reasons I'm such an advocate of just throwing it in the washing machine and getting it over with is that I think sometimes the gentle cleanings we start off with set the stains so they NEVER come out.
very good points. I've tried to not let a stubborn bag dry once it's wet and still giving me trouble. I'll work at it a while. you often don't know what you're dealing with going in. And if the washing machine doesn't do the trick, then it's still wet and you can re-try stuff I'd think. I'm not as brave as you LOL.
I don't normally carry top handle bags but I feel inspired to carry the red and burgundy ones now. The red is so cute and the burgundy is much prettier in person. I haven't tried to see what they can hold yet. I don't know what I will do with the big one as I don't really have a need for a briefcase. I just got it because I wanted a rehab project.
hi again experts! may i know if it is safe to use virgin coconut oil on leather bags please? sorry for all of my silly questions, google is not much of a help and made me more confused sometimes. thanks in advance.
My "ipad bag" is the size of your middle one. I generally use a crossbody bag, but I can't wait to use this little satchel. A few weeks ago I was out and about and saw a lady with a bag the size of your red one. Except instead of it being gorgeous (and red!!!) , it was dry and stained and faded brown. Poor thing. My point is, though, it was a really great size, and very chic. If I were you, I'd be figuring out outfits to wear that showcase that little beauty. If might be perfect for going out to dinner, or to a show. As to the briefcase, well, I don't even have a job! But if you do, don't you need to take stuff to work like a snack or something?
Here we go, Olive Green Legacy Small Zip 9997.
I got it all done and I'll give it to my neighbor/friend when she gets home from work this evening.
It was a pretty simple rehab 'cos it was in good shape--only flattened with a few minor scuffs.
Just washed, shaped, polished hardware & conditioned/blackrock'd. The before/afters are kinda a let-down on ones like these! There's one TINY white stain you can see that was on the bottom front corner, at least I got to get that out LOL
I got it all done and I'll give it to my neighbor/friend when she gets home from work this evening.
It was a pretty simple rehab 'cos it was in good shape--only flattened with a few minor scuffs.
Just washed, shaped, polished hardware & conditioned/blackrock'd. The before/afters are kinda a let-down on ones like these! There's one TINY white stain you can see that was on the bottom front corner, at least I got to get that out LOL
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Hello everyone,
I've been working on my Italian travel gramercy bag. After washing it with Ivory soap, the red polish came right off...as did what I suspect to be shoe polish (there was dark blue stuff coming off on the wash cloth).
I have since applied several layers of Leather Therapy oil to try and recondition the leather, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. The leather soaks it up and it looks so very dry. I'm thinking I may need something stronger. Any suggestions?
I haven't attempted to tackle the ink stains inside on the suede. But, I bought some acetone and a metal nail file for when I feel up to that challenge.
I will keep you all posted. And if you have any suggestions for what I can try on the leather to bring it back to life, please let me know.
Cheers!
I've been working on my Italian travel gramercy bag. After washing it with Ivory soap, the red polish came right off...as did what I suspect to be shoe polish (there was dark blue stuff coming off on the wash cloth).
I have since applied several layers of Leather Therapy oil to try and recondition the leather, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. The leather soaks it up and it looks so very dry. I'm thinking I may need something stronger. Any suggestions?
I haven't attempted to tackle the ink stains inside on the suede. But, I bought some acetone and a metal nail file for when I feel up to that challenge.
I will keep you all posted. And if you have any suggestions for what I can try on the leather to bring it back to life, please let me know.
Cheers!
I won my first Italian Madison bag! Wasn't cheap, but I think she was worth it compared to what she sold for originally. She appears to be in good shape, but you never know til you get her. Here's the link
Gorgeous! What a beautiful deep color. Your neighbor/friend is lucky! And even though the bag was pretty good to start with, it is really nice of you to freshen it up and make it new for her.
Hello everyone,
I've been working on my Italian travel gramercy bag. After washing it with Ivory soap, the red polish came right off...as did what I suspect to be shoe polish (there was dark blue stuff coming off on the wash cloth).
I have since applied several layers of Leather Therapy oil to try and recondition the leather, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. The leather soaks it up and it looks so very dry. I'm thinking I may need something stronger. Any suggestions?
I haven't attempted to tackle the ink stains inside on the suede. But, I bought some acetone and a metal nail file for when I feel up to that challenge.
I will keep you all posted. And if you have any suggestions for what I can try on the leather to bring it back to life, please let me know.
Cheers!
Oh good, glad to hear she's cleaning up for you! Can't wait to see the end result. That is such a gorgeous bag.
I don't know if it's bravery or that I really think it's easier on the leather in the long run to just throw them in the washer. I definitely do my share of handwashing too, and many times I've worked on spots first and then run the wet bag in the washer.
I don't have a job either so I don't need a briefcase. It was fun to rehab it though. I'm sure I'll find plenty of reasons to carry the red one.
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