How To Clean A Leather Dooney And Bourke Purse

You know what they say ' behind every successful woman is a fabulous handbag'... or three, or four or possibly twenty! Whilst we rely on our handbags for so many practical things (as well as expecting them to be stylish accessories 24/7), they do need a certain amount of TLC to remain looking fabulous. Be it bad weather soaking through or putting it on the floor during your commute, handbags get a rough time and can become dirty very quickly.

Cleaning the outside of our handbags, removing scuffs and marks is easy enough thanks to a range of products for leather, suede and other materials. But, don't forget that the inside can get pretty grimy too - with everything from pen leaks in the lining to ground in biscuit crumbs. Here's how to give it a good clean:

Organise your bag

Empty out the contents, sort and throw away any rubbish, sponge down essential items that need to go back in your handbag, and shake out loose debris.

This is the perfect time to consider what you need to keep in your handbag, too. Whilst your phone and purse are a must, it's time to consider whether you really need to keep all of last month's receipts or an emergency snack that's seen better days in there.

Vladimir Godnik

Clean the lining

Pull the fabric lining out, if possible, and wipe with a damp sponge that's been rinsed in hot, soapy water.

If the lining of your handbag is leather rather than fabric, take care not to get it too wet at this stage.

Blank Business Card and Purse Spilling Contents

JulNichols Getty Images

Tackle stubborn stains

If you have any of these common, stubborn stains inside your handbag, here's how to tackle them...

Lipstick

If your handbag is lined with cotton, small lipstick stains will often come out if rubbed with a little liquid detergent. If the stain is bigger, try a specialist stain remover, like Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils, Nature and Cosmetics.

Foundation

Clean foundation stains as much as you can with kitchen towel. Don't wet it (you'll make it worse).

Pen

Ballpoint ink can be tricky to remove from fabrics. Try using a cotton bud to apply methylated spirits to the affected area – just don't over-wet it. Dab the stain gently, trying not to spread it as it is being dissolved. Blot firmly with a white paper towel, moving to a clean area of both pad and towel frequently. Alternatively, try a stain remover such as Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils, Pen and Ink.

GHI TIP: For unlined leather bags, try an upholstery cleaning spray, such as Scotchgard Fabric & Upholstery Cleaner.

Finish the job

You want the lining to dry quickly, so that it doesn't get musty. Drape the bag – with the lining turned out – over a radiator, put it in an airing cupboard overnight or, for speedier drying, use a hairdryer.

As soon as the lining is clean and fully dry, it's time to savour the joy of repacking your pristine handbag!

Handbag cleaning kit

e-cloth Microfibre General Purpose Cloths, Pack of 4

e-cloth johnlewis.com

£14.98

Scotchgard Fabric and Upholstery Cleaner

Scotchgard amazon.co.uk

£8.79

Dr Beckmann Nature and Cosmetics

Dr. Beckmann amazon.co.uk

£2.40

Marigold Cleaning Me Softly Sponge

Marigold amazon.co.uk

£1.25

Dr. Beckmann Stain Devils – Pen and Ink 50ml

Dr. Beckmann dr-beckmann.co.uk

£1.99

Plenty The Original One Kitchen Rolls

Plenty amazon.co.uk

£6.46

Persil Bio Laundry Liquid 1.85L (53 Washes)

Persil sainsburys.co.uk

£6.00

Aldi Magnum Original Washing Up Liquid

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