OMG, this bag is brown! Rehab reveal!

[drspock7]

nice job. congrats

 

[zjajkj]

good job

 

[madisonave5011]

Kate I forgot where your thread was that stated how you got the occasional smell out of a bag?? One I just bought has a faint smell like thrift store/smoke....what should I do...its an unlined bag.

 

[katev]

Kate I forgot where your thread was that stated how you got the occasional smell out of a bag?? One I just bought has a faint smell like thrift store/smoke....what should I do...its an unlined bag.

Usually giving the bag a bath in warm water and gentle suds (like Ivory) will do the trick to remove odors. I once had a bag with a mildewed odor and I finally had to resort to bleach to get the smell out. I quickly rinsed the inside with a dilute bleach solution and then rinsed it with a lot of water; it was fine and it did the job, but bleach is risky! I would only use bleach if I had tried everything else first.

Some folks have used non-washing techniques like baking soda, dryer sheets, and charcoal filters to remove odors from bags. You should do a search and I am sure that you will find several suggestions. Good luck!

 

[madisonave5011]

Usually giving the bag a bath in warm water and gentle suds (like Ivory) will do the trick to remove odors. I once had a bag with a mildewed odor and I finally had to resort to bleach to get the smell out. I quickly rinsed the inside with a dilute bleach solution and then rinsed it with a lot of water; it was fine and it did the job, but bleach is risky! I would only use bleach if I had tried everything else first.

Some folks have used non-washing techniques like baking soda, dryer sheets, and charcoal filters to remove odors from bags. You should do a search and I am sure that you will find several suggestions. Good luck!

Thank you so much!

 

[lilirose3]

The older, unlined coach bags can be dunked and they come out great! You can even turn many of them inside-out to get the entire bag nice and clean. You need to use a dye and fragrance free soap like Ivory or Woolite.

I soaked it in woolite and warm water for about 45 minutes, then rubbed it down with a soft cloth and gave it a vigorous bath, paying special attention to the dirtiest areas. Then I soaked it in warm water for about a half hour and rinsed it well.

I let it drain in the sink for a bit and then stuffed the bag with old towels to reshape it and let it dry on another towel for 24 hours. Then I took the towels out, rotated it periodically and let it continue to dry over the next few days.

When it is almost completely dry you should apply a leather conditioner. Most Coach bags respond well to Apple Leather Conditioner that is available at Burlington Coat Factory stores. But occassionally you find a bag that needs more intensive leather care. In such cases I use a product available from a local equestrian riding store called "Leather Therapy - Restorer & Conditioner" that claims to be "a blend of rich, replenishing oils formulated to transform dry, hard leather to original flexibility".


The label says that it will NOT darken leather and that it will work on both hard and soft leathers. It is also supposed to inhibit mold and mildew!

Whatever leather product you decide to use, be sure to check the label and contents. You don't want anything that contains petroleum distillates, silicones, waxes, dyes, or perfumes/fragrances.

The only problem with the Leather Therapy is that it is expensive. The riding store only had big, 16 oz bottles that cost $26 but I have already used it on a few bags and it has worked well for me so I am okay with the price. Here's a link to a site that sells the stuff online (NMA):

http://www.leathertherapy.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=190

After the conditioner dries you need to rub the bag with a soft, clean cloth to buff it. If the leather still doesn't look good you may want to repeat the conditioning process. When the bag is almost done, use wenol or brasso or other metal polish to shine up the hardware. Try not to get the metal polish on the bag but if you do - just quickly wipe it off with a damp cloth and it should be fine.

There are other products and technigues for different issues and bags. Lexol leather wipes, alcohol to remove ink marks, etc.

My advice is to look for an inexpensive "test bag" that isn't in terrible shape at a thrift shop, garage sale, ebay, etc. Post pics of it in the authentication thread first to make sure that it is genuine because you don't want to invest all this work in a fake, and then try restoring it! Good luck!

Katev, I love to see how your rehabbed bags turned out and thanks for the detailed steps. I noticed most of your bags that are rehabbed are unlined.. can I do that to lined old coach leather bags? TIA

 

[sandyclaws]

my gawd!! you're like a magician!! you work some magic on that bag! it looks really gorgeous...everytime you reveal a bag that you saved i want to go to my local goodwill!! last time i went i didn't find anything though....

 

[ReBaggin]

Hello Everyone! I'm new to the forum and was so happy to find this thread! What a great idea! And it's right up my alley! I have a couple of questions for you rehabbers. Here are a couple of pictures of a project I'm currently working on. Here's what I started with:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ee66dSIPdssE6b6rwsc37NftpNvuyQyJ-ikA8H6dT0U?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xtEF66BWIHMGcI96BZZpTdftpNvuyQyJ-ikA8H6dT0U?feat=directlink
So I started gently trying to clean up the suede. I made good progress at first with Kiwi Suede cleaner and also with Spot Shot and a brush. But me being one to never let well enough alone, I persisted. I took it to the sink and with Shout Advanced and my Tide Stain stick I proceeded to use small circular motions and dab with a cloth at the spots. But eventually I had so much "soap" in the suede I decided I had to try to thoroughly rinse with the sink sprayer. I got the soap out and you'll see the suede looks half way decent now.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xeLQXDLcZ-0SMknZ5Q-mTtftpNvuyQyJ-ikA8H6dT0U?feat=directlink
But you might have also noticed in this picture that I "mobilized" the dye and it bled into the fabric.
I have taken alcohol to spots in the fabric and managed to get some of the ink out. But I don't think I'm going to get it ALL]out this way. Suggestions?

Does anyone have a better way to clean suede?

I'd be game to play with some dye to enrich the color on the suede if anyone has suggestions of brands of that I should order....

The handles (smooth) are faded and stained. Would the dye here be the same dye as the one I'd get for the suede.

What's your opinion of my "dipping" the whole bag in pink dye?

So, you see I'm foolishly brave and willing to learn from failed projects. Thanks for your input in advance.

 

[Shoebaglady]

Wild transformation!!!! It's like they are two different bags! Once again, I am amazed of your talent in rehabbing bags to their former glory!!

 

[Jessi319]

I just can't believe such a color change!!! wow! just LOVE that bag though!! Nice work!!

 

[katev]

Hello Everyone! I'm new to the forum and was so happy to find this thread! What a great idea! And it's right up my alley! I have a couple of questions for you rehabbers. Here are a couple of pictures of a project I'm currently working on. Here's what I started with:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ee66dSIPdssE6b6rwsc37NftpNvuyQyJ-ikA8H6dT0U?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xtEF66BWIHMGcI96BZZpTdftpNvuyQyJ-ikA8H6dT0U?feat=directlink
So I started gently trying to clean up the suede. I made good progress at first with Kiwi Suede cleaner and also with Spot Shot and a brush. But me being one to never let well enough alone, I persisted. I took it to the sink and with Shout Advanced and my Tide Stain stick I proceeded to use small circular motions and dab with a cloth at the spots. But eventually I had so much "soap" in the suede I decided I had to try to thoroughly rinse with the sink sprayer. I got the soap out and you'll see the suede looks half way decent now.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xeLQXDLcZ-0SMknZ5Q-mTtftpNvuyQyJ-ikA8H6dT0U?feat=directlink
But you might have also noticed in this picture that I "mobilized" the dye and it bled into the fabric.
I have taken alcohol to spots in the fabric and managed to get some of the ink out. But I don't think I'm going to get it ALL]out this way. Suggestions?

Does anyone have a better way to clean suede?

I'd be game to play with some dye to enrich the color on the suede if anyone has suggestions of brands of that I should order....

The handles (smooth) are faded and stained. Would the dye here be the same dye as the one I'd get for the suede.

What's your opinion of my "dipping" the whole bag in pink dye?

So, you see I'm foolishly brave and willing to learn from failed projects. Thanks for your input in advance.

Thanks! I am at work right now and cannot review your pics and questions but if you post them at the rehab and rescue thread, link below, someone will be able to assist you, good luck!
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452.html

 

[chowlover2]

Hello Everyone! I'm new to the forum and was so happy to find this thread! What a great idea! And it's right up my alley! I have a couple of questions for you rehabbers. Here are a couple of pictures of a project I'm currently working on. Here's what I started with:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ee66dSIPdssE6b6rwsc37NftpNvuyQyJ-ikA8H6dT0U?feat=directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xtEF66BWIHMGcI96BZZpTdftpNvuyQyJ-ikA8H6dT0U?feat=directlink
So I started gently trying to clean up the suede. I made good progress at first with Kiwi Suede cleaner and also with Spot Shot and a brush. But me being one to never let well enough alone, I persisted. I took it to the sink and with Shout Advanced and my Tide Stain stick I proceeded to use small circular motions and dab with a cloth at the spots. But eventually I had so much "soap" in the suede I decided I had to try to thoroughly rinse with the sink sprayer. I got the soap out and you'll see the suede looks half way decent now.
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xeLQXDLcZ-0SMknZ5Q-mTtftpNvuyQyJ-ikA8H6dT0U?feat=directlink
But you might have also noticed in this picture that I "mobilized" the dye and it bled into the fabric.
I have taken alcohol to spots in the fabric and managed to get some of the ink out. But I don't think I'm going to get it ALL]out this way. Suggestions?

Does anyone have a better way to clean suede?

I'd be game to play with some dye to enrich the color on the suede if anyone has suggestions of brands of that I should order....

The handles (smooth) are faded and stained. Would the dye here be the same dye as the one I'd get for the suede.

What's your opinion of my "dipping" the whole bag in pink dye?

So, you see I'm foolishly brave and willing to learn from failed projects. Thanks for your input in advance.

WOW! What a difference, she looks so much better! No idea about dying suede though.

 

[katev]

Katev, I love to see how your rehabbed bags turned out and thanks for the detailed steps. I noticed most of your bags that are rehabbed are unlined.. can I do that to lined old coach leather bags? TIA

I am sorry, I missed this question when it was posted several months ago so perhaps the information is no longer of interest?

At first I was rather timid and wouldn't give a bath to a lined bag, but since then I have dunked several lined bags and they have come out well.

It depends on the bag. I would hesitate to dunk a legacy bag with striped lining but others have done it successfully.

 

[katev]

my gawd!! you're like a magician!! you work some magic on that bag! it looks really gorgeous...everytime you reveal a bag that you saved i want to go to my local goodwill!! last time i went i didn't find anything though....

Wild transformation!!!! It's like they are two different bags! Once again, I am amazed of your talent in rehabbing bags to their former glory!!

I just can't believe such a color change!!! wow! just LOVE that bag though!! Nice work!!

Thanks, this is an older thread but I have been surprised by the final color of a bag after rehab several times. I recently rehabbed a bag that I thought was burgundy or maroon and it turned out to be a dark purple eggplant!

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/red-hot-in-nyc-three-bag-rehab-reveal-755638.html#post22085482