My purse spent all winter outside on a roof! What to do?

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Aaliyah_4_evah

Aaliyah_4_evah

O.G.
Jul 30, 2006
41
0
#1
Hello guys,

My leather purse was stolen in January and the police found it last week on a rooftop, meaning that it spent all winter outside in subzero weather, under the snow. Is there anyway I can salvage it? How can I clean it? Here's a picture of it.
 
#8
Aaliyah_4_evah said:
Hello guys,

My leather purse was stolen in January and the police found it last week on a rooftop, meaning that it spent all winter outside in subzero weather, under the snow. Is there anyway I can salvage it? How can I clean it? Here's a picture of it.
Click to expand...
You know, I feel reasonably sure you've moved on from this, have bought a new purse, and really don't need something that's been out in the elements for almost four months. Toss it, since you've already said 'goodbye' once - right?
 
#9
I see nothing that a little good quality saddle soap couldn't fix - do you have a friend who might appreciate the bag if you don't want it anymore? Or donate to goodwill, make the most of the situation?
 
#10
Be careful with saddle soap. It's too harsh for leather that has been colored or dyed. It might be OK on this bag bc it's brown though

Source : used saddle soap on a Gucci bag with white trim & ruined it, husband used saddle soap on green Cole Haan loafers & ruined them [emoji30]
 
#13
Aaliyah_4_evah said:
I haven't touched it without gloves because I'm scared of germs and bacteria ! I agree that it doesn't look too bad for having spent almost 4 months in snow.
Click to expand...

See... this is exactly how I would feel about the gross factor. Just... ew... get rid of it!


ETA: If you want me to get more graphic and tell you a story about what my friend found in his stolen & recovered car, I will. A bit harder to throw away the car.
 
#14
LVk8 said:
Be careful with saddle soap. It's too harsh for leather that has been colored or dyed. It might be OK on this bag bc it's brown though

Source : used saddle soap on a Gucci bag with white trim & ruined it, husband used saddle soap on green Cole Haan loafers & ruined them [emoji30]
Click to expand...

White leather is a bit different - you can't even use all the designated accessory care products on it. But how do you ruin green leather? Did it lose its color or become blotchy? :shrugs:

To OP - you can spray the inside of your bag with antibacterial spray and/or just throw the bag in the freezer for a few days. I wouldn't be too panicky about bacteria from outdoors, most likely you encounter worse things daily in your own kitchen...
 
#15
Amazona said:
White leather is a bit different - you can't even use all the designated accessory care products on it. But how do you ruin green leather? Did it lose its color or become blotchy? :shrugs:

To OP - you can spray the inside of your bag with antibacterial spray and/or just throw the bag in the freezer for a few days. I wouldn't be too panicky about bacteria from outdoors, most likely you encounter worse things daily in your own kitchen...
Click to expand...

This is very true, but people don't want to hear that LOL

I also think that I'd have the same levels of hygiene for others as I have for myself. If the bag is too bad for me to touch then I wouldn't want to give it to goodwill etc, for another who isn't aware of the history. I try to make sure any clothes/accessories I give to charity are clean and sound.

Freezer x 3 days > turn it out into the sun (inside out) > clean very gently > feed no colour leather cream (rub, rub, rub) > leave to totally absorb > repeat feed as necessary with long intervals in-between (don't overdo though)
 
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