I was reading through this thread to see if I could find any information about cleaning up a domed buckle satchel I bought on ebay. I knew it was going to need some cleaning and was looking forward to seeing what could be overcome! It does have a liquid stain of some sort so that was an added bonus. Anyway I saw Dgphoto's post on page 2 of this thread about rehabbing her two florentine bags and she soaked them in water. I had no idea that was an option! Might that be a good idea for water stained bags? I have apple cleaner/conditioner and cadillac on the way because I wasn't sure which to use.. lol
I've soaked several Florentine bags without any problems. This is my process.
I run a sink full of tepid water with a small squirt of blue Dawn and fully immerse the bag. I let it soak for about ten minutes. Then I scrub the lining if it needs it using a medium, not-too-hard scrub brush, and squirting a tiny bit of Dawn onto tough spots on the lining. I don't ever scrub the outside (made that mistake once). I just either use my hand or a washcloth to gently wipe it down in the water and do that evenly all over.
After scrubbing the lining while the bag is in the sink, I kinda swish the linings around to dissipate the concentration of soap. I usually flip the bag over so the other side is down after I work on the lining so both sides get fully saturated with water. Soak another ten minutes.
Then rinse, rinse, rinse with tepid water! Some people run another sink full of clear water to rinse but I just run the water right into the bag, the pockets and the outside until it runs clear - no more soap. I learned right quick to not use too much Dawn because it was a disaster! I had bubbles for DAYS!
Then I turn it upside down on my faucet to drip for a few minutes. I have one of those tall U faucets. After it quits dripping really hard, I stuff a towel or two inside to soak up as much water as possible. Don't overstuff though or you could stretch the leather.
I hang the bag on a sturdy wooden hanger with a washcloth between the handle or strap and the hanger. Put it in front of a fan or beneath a ceiling fan for about an hour. Rub some Leather CPR into it while it's still wet. I've had good luck doing that while it's wet.
After about an hour, I take the towels out and shape the bag the way it's supposed to look and rehang it. I let it continue to sit in front of or under a fan overnight. I pull the linings away from the bottom and sides so they don't cling to the leather. I don't set it on anything because that has caused water lines before.
The next morning, I'll do another round of Leather CPR, rearrange on the hanger and leave it for the day, still under the fan. I pull the linings and pockets all the way out, if possible. That helps get those dry.
Check to make sure there are no water lines or spots. If there are, dunk it back in the sink and get it wet and start over. If no lines or spots, at the end of the day, I do one more coat of Leather CPR and let it soak in overnight.
In the Florentines, be sure to have the tassels away from the body of the bag while drying. Otherwise you might end up with a water spot. I usually flip mine either into the bag or stick a washcloth between the body and the tassel and move it around frequently.
If you want your tassels to dry straight and not curled, just keep straightening them and you can even loosely put a rubber band or hair tie around them. Just don't use one with a color that might bleed into the leather.
I used a thin film of the glue to sort of lay down the little stray pieces of scuffed leather too. It dries clear which is nice as well.
(aka, spilling LemiShine all over a teal leather Baggu)
