Vintage satchels...handle drop sizes?
- Thread starter hetha2001
- Start date
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There are many products mentioned in there. I only use the following products:
Dawn liquid dish soap
Vinegar in rinse baths.
Leather CPR
Leather Therapy conditioner (for very dry bags)
Blackrocks (sometimes, depending on the bag's color) but works great on black leather.
I second the visiting of the thread above. Also this one:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...ths-documentins-pics-as-was-requested.658823/
From these threads I've learned the following and have done this to only 6 all leather (unlined) vintage bags so far, all with success:
Brush out the bag, soak it in a basin with water and Dawn dish detergent for 20 minutes (I just scrub the soapy water through the bag with my fingers, but have read people use a toothbrush as well), thoroughly rinse and then soak again in clean water for another few minutes. I've read some people add vinegar to that final soak but I have not because I wasn't sure how much to add. Dry with a towel and stuff into shape with many (many!) crumpled paper towels (note: after the bags have dried, I've removed the paper towels, sort of shook them out and they are good to re-use for the next bag). I've dried mine standing up in the basement with the dehumidifier near by and running. Approx 1-2 days later (damp but not sopping wet), I rub Leather CPR (found it at Bed Bath and Beyond) all over with my hands, then wipe it all off with paper towels. When the bag is completely dry, I put on Blackrock (ordered it through Amazon) and wipe off, then buff with a clean rag. I have not done too much with the brass, just rubbed with a soft cloth, but am curious about trying Weenol or similar as a polish. Even just doing these few things makes a huge difference in the bags, they look so expensive now.
I just won a 4055 Soft Satchel and cannot wait to clean it up. Good luck!
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...ths-documentins-pics-as-was-requested.658823/
From these threads I've learned the following and have done this to only 6 all leather (unlined) vintage bags so far, all with success:
Brush out the bag, soak it in a basin with water and Dawn dish detergent for 20 minutes (I just scrub the soapy water through the bag with my fingers, but have read people use a toothbrush as well), thoroughly rinse and then soak again in clean water for another few minutes. I've read some people add vinegar to that final soak but I have not because I wasn't sure how much to add. Dry with a towel and stuff into shape with many (many!) crumpled paper towels (note: after the bags have dried, I've removed the paper towels, sort of shook them out and they are good to re-use for the next bag). I've dried mine standing up in the basement with the dehumidifier near by and running. Approx 1-2 days later (damp but not sopping wet), I rub Leather CPR (found it at Bed Bath and Beyond) all over with my hands, then wipe it all off with paper towels. When the bag is completely dry, I put on Blackrock (ordered it through Amazon) and wipe off, then buff with a clean rag. I have not done too much with the brass, just rubbed with a soft cloth, but am curious about trying Weenol or similar as a polish. Even just doing these few things makes a huge difference in the bags, they look so expensive now.
I just won a 4055 Soft Satchel and cannot wait to clean it up. Good luck!
Thanks to both of you for the tips! Hard to imagine submerging an expensive leather bag. But this helps me to be "brave" enough to take the plunge. Good luck with your 4055 SS rehab!
Looking at my 4060 SS that arrived today, I notice that it has a "formed" bottom - smooth leather on the outside/the suede leather on the inside of the bag. Could the form be cardboard or a paper product of some sort that will disintegrate between the layers of leather when the bag is submerged? Any thoughts?
I have no idea! I'll take a look at mine when I get it, but I'm pretty sure I've read about people dunking their soft satchels on the rehab thread...
I dunked mine and it was fine. Just make sure when you stuff it to shape that it doesn't look lumpy from the outside.
That's good news - thank you! Do you have any idea what product was used to form the bottom?
Hello again! I finally received the Soft Satchel. I washed her in Dawn, vinegar/water soak, stuffed and dried. I had a problem with the zipper, it would zip but the teeth would separate. I found that if I pinched the bottom edge of the zipper on each side of the pull ring it fixed that problem. Here is how it fits on the shoulder. I am short, average build and it just works. It barely works with my light Spring jacket, I had to hold the straps on my shoulder.
So far am I liking this bag the best out of the three I currently own (Soft Satchel, Willis and Devon) because of it's interior size and the addition open pocket inside.
So far am I liking this bag the best out of the three I currently own (Soft Satchel, Willis and Devon) because of it's interior size and the addition open pocket inside.
What year(s) is the soft satchel from? Does anyone know? Thanks! And thanks for the vintage photos, new photos and the input!