Has anyone used vinegar on a Made in Italy Caviar Leather Madison bag from the 1990s? I am working on a light-colored bag right now. I gave it a bath and scrubbed with a soft brush and it is much cleaner, but I would like to try and get it a little better if possible - especially around the stitching - but I don't want to risk damaging the sheen on the bag, do you think vinegar might help?
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
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I briefly dunked one twice with vinegar in the water because it reeked of cigarette smoke. The smoke smell didn’t go away completely but it was better. The bag did just fine. I ended up selling it because I just couldn’t get past the smell. I have a over-achiever sniffer.
This was the seller’s photo. The dent did come out of the flap after I dunked it.
I have dunked a few of the Italian bags but I have never used vinegar. Is the vinegar only good for eliminating smells? I thought that it also helped with cleaning but if not then it doesn't matter. This bag doesn't small bad but I just want to get it clean without damaging the surface. I have already dunked it and it came out fine, so we are heading toward the home stretch!
I can't wait to share her with you all!
Does anyone have experience with rehabbing vintage Dooney & Bourke all weather leather bags? I asked for advice on their rehab thread, but I don’t think it’s as active as this one. I’m trying to find out the best way to clean it (especially the handles). Thank you [emoji120]
Big old Ranch bag in black. Great way to start rehabbing. NA, but I would if I didnt already have several black bags, and a brown Ranch!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Vint...:LFQAAOSwwJ5bhGP-:sc:USPSPriority!08033!US!-1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Vint...:LFQAAOSwwJ5bhGP-:sc:USPSPriority!08033!US!-1
There was a recent discussion about the leather trim on some of those bags falling apart after dunking. Search this forum, it was posted within last couple of months.
Yes, it is difficult to use.
On vintage bags, Coach didn't use edge coating, so you don't need to with a rehab. If the light color at the edge of straps bothers you, you can use one layer of edge kote, or acrylic paint thinned with conditioner.
On bags that originally had edge coating, and that is now cracked or missing in parts, you generally have to remove all the edge coating in a section and start anew to get it completely smooth. If you use edge kote, it will take many, many coats as edge kote is very thin. I find it easier to either build up the edge with leather cement and then cover it with edge kote or paint in the correct color, or use fabric puff paint.
A few days ago I mentioned I was rehabbing a Lightweights bag. One thing I've noticed about them is that they seem to take forever to dry! Anyway, it's done now.
This was a "hail mary" rescue where I figured there wasn't much to lose since the price was under $10. The seller mentioned the dreaded word "polished" in the listing. The bag was very shiny and the color was uneven. I knew there was a sweet little Flap Drawstring under there somewhere, so I headed for the laundry sink.
Having no idea what kind of products had been used on it, I decided to start by dunking the bag in warm water and Dawn. I also used a bar of soft castille soap on it, working up a good lather. The water turned a dirty brown and all the suds vanished. After hand rubbing, agitation and soaking for 15 minutes, I rinsed it well in cool water with a little vinegar added.
After the usual drying, reshaping, three coats of Leather CPR and a kiss of Blackrock, buffing after each, the bag now looks more natural and glows softly. The leather is soft and supple. The color is still a bit uneven, but overall I'm pleased with the results.
This was a "hail mary" rescue where I figured there wasn't much to lose since the price was under $10. The seller mentioned the dreaded word "polished" in the listing. The bag was very shiny and the color was uneven. I knew there was a sweet little Flap Drawstring under there somewhere, so I headed for the laundry sink.
Having no idea what kind of products had been used on it, I decided to start by dunking the bag in warm water and Dawn. I also used a bar of soft castille soap on it, working up a good lather. The water turned a dirty brown and all the suds vanished. After hand rubbing, agitation and soaking for 15 minutes, I rinsed it well in cool water with a little vinegar added.
After the usual drying, reshaping, three coats of Leather CPR and a kiss of Blackrock, buffing after each, the bag now looks more natural and glows softly. The leather is soft and supple. The color is still a bit uneven, but overall I'm pleased with the results.
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I just washed a bag with a fabric lining. I was worried about the creed swelling so I covered it with clear packaging tape. When it was soaking, I pulled the creed out of the water. It probably would have worked perfectly except I forgot about it. When I went back 1/2 hour later, the water had started to seep in on the outer edges, but it didn't reach any of the wording or numbers. Now that is drying, the creed is evenly damp but it is still perfectly readable.
Just putting my 2 cents in here..it's still easier in the long run to REMOVE the hardware.Additionally, you get rid of all the Verdigris that is ruining the leather. And Yeah, steel wooling the Brass takes time, but it's an excuse to listen to Movies, Podcasts,Music, Books- Or nothing.Sometimes just scrubbing something is a stress reliever.(of course I could be scrubbing my floors & the rest of my house.Nah) I never feel like my bags are completely rehabbed &clean unless I remove the turnlocks. Ah well, that's just me & my OCD CHEERS Y'all
