Oh no! Ruined my new white saddle bag. - YouLookFab Forum

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Oh no! Ruined my new white saddle bag.

old chic

I just received this pretty white pebbled leather saddle bag as a birthday gift, and I have ruined it already. I carried it over a years-old red smooth-knit jacket, which I never thought would bleed color as it has never done so before. Now I have pinkish discoloration over the top and top back of the purse, especially on the "laces." I am just gutted. (I know, first-world problem.)

I tried cool water with mild soap. No help. Then cornstarch to absorb the pink. Nope. Then light brushing with white toothpaste. Nah. Does anybody here have experience with getting color off white leather? Is there a special product? Or is my next step finding a professional leather cleaner?

Neiman Marcus Last Call

Amanda Leather Saddle Bag, White

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26 replies

Latest reply was from annagybe

rabbit

Veteran

I would talk to a professional leather cleaner. I think they are relatively expensive (like 30$ to clean a bag if I remember), but you don't want to accidentally do anything that helps set in the stain more, and it seems like you have tried the logical things. Best of luck!

old chic

Thanks, rabbit. It was a pretty expensive bag, so it'd be worth a bit if they could fix it.

Joy

Veteran

Do you have a leather store in the area or even a really good cobbler who may have suggestions?

lindalu

Maybe baking soda and water? Sorry... I feel your pain.

Runcarla

Veteran

I've had success with wet wipes on white leather that picked up blue from my jeans. I think it was the alcohol on the formulation. It lifted a little colour, but then I conditioned the leather after. I'm happy with results. My bag was new, too, but not spendy so I didn't mind DIY. Lesson learned about transfer.

Test a small spot first.

Chris987

Veteran

I had a stain on my pumpkin-colored Michael Kors hobo bag that I think was some sort of ink although I was not sure. I tried all various leather cleaning products and even asked a cobbler if he could remove it and he said he didn't think so. I kept the bag because I love it and the stain was on the inside next to my body. A few months ago I ran across an article that said nail polish remove can sometimes work, but you have to be really careful to test it in a hidden spot because it can remove the dye. I tried it on a hidden area, no problem and then hit the stain with it. Just a little of it on a Q-tip and had to rub back and forth quite a bit, but it took the stain almost completely out with no damage to the dye. The

So try if you like, at your own risk...:-)

Anonymous

Goo Gone? The regular one, not the newer dried paint removing one. On a Q-tip to test a small area?

K. Period.

Veteran

Have you tried Angie's tip--using a Mr. Clean magic eraser sponge? I used one on a stain on my light colored leather and it worked very well. I can't remember, but I think I used it dry.

JayS

Veteran

That stinks!
I've had luck with Coach's leather cleaner and conditioner. It takes the blue denim off my white leather bag.
Good luck!

jill58

Veteran

This product seems to have worked for some people.
http://www.amazon.com/Leather-.....&qid=

Or maybe this?

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Le.....rp_d_produ

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Oh no! I've been there before, which is why I have been avoiding light colored bags for so long. I hope one of these suggestions works for you.

Tanya

Veteran

I am seconding the suggestion of magic eraser - it has worked for some of my lighter leathers. So sorry this happened!

Mochi

Veteran

Angie has always had her pristine white bags. Perhaps she will chime in with some suggestions. Sorry about that!

MsGreer

I think its possible to re-dye leather to your original color. Virtualy impossible to remove a set stain in porous material unless its a protein stain and generally hydrogen peroxide will remove that type stain.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Danier told me to clean my white leather jacket with a white Staedler eraser.

Good luck!

Jane

Veteran

I feel for you. I think I would try the cleaners. I hope you find something that works.

Anonymous

Old Chic -- could you please post again when you have solved this problem. I would be interested in what you found to be the solution. Best wishes. It is a gorgeous purse.

JAileen

Veteran

Because I have bought a lot of old Coach bags, I've had to clean them up. I found the Purse Forum, in particular Coach Rehab and Rescue Club thread to be an invaluable resource. I checked there for color transfer, and someone reported getting color transfer out with Apple Leather Care. Another person said she conditioned all light color bags to prevent color transfer with Blackrock Leather N Rich. I have not used Apple Leather Care, but lots of people rave about it. I use Blackrock Leather N Rich on all of my bags, after they are already clean. I bought Blackrock from a western store when my shoe repair stopped carrying it. It's fabulous stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Wa.....onditioner

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb.....ooks%2C259

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Anonymous

This is not my thread, but I have an interest, This is really useful information, JAileen. I am going to save it for future reference.

Missey

Veteran

Try using baby wipes. Inexpensive unscented ones. Strangely, they have removed a myriad of stains from my carpet yet you can use them on a baby's bottom...

Ginger

Veteran

Re: using wipes. Alcohol will lift dye, so it's a good and easy one to try. Just be careful the white does not come off as well. Try in a hidden area first.

old chic

OK, today I tried wipes first -- absolutely no results! It might be that I used a cosmetic-remover wipe. Perhaps it didn't have enough alcohol? (Maybe I'd feel better about my poor white purse if I drank more alcohol so I'd forget about it?
But then I got some extra strength magic eraser and gave it a good rub. I actually think it removed at least 50% of the problem. I am going to let it rest for an hour and then maybe give it another hearty swipe. Only problem so far is that I may be allergic to the eraser. My hands are stinging like crazy.
I may also try a teensy bit of acetone nail polish remover on a q-tip for remaining pinkness, which is more concentrated on the lacings that protrude and reb a bit and thus got the most transferred dye.
I'll keep you light-leather-loving ladies posted.

Anonymous

I'm glad that progress is being made. Between you and me, I would cry if dye transferred to one of my purses. Try the dry eraser again. I was shocked when it got hair dye out of my wood cabinet. Shocked!! It take some time and some work. Wear gloves, if you need to protect your hands.

rabbit

Veteran

be cautious with the acetone, as like alcohol (but stronger) it can lift the white dye too -- but it might just be the thing for lacey bits. Also with magic erasers just a note to anyone else (doesn't apply to your bag) that I'd test them first on any surface with shine or sheen, as I'm pretty sure they are gently abrasive and will wear down a surface finish -- they work really well on cleaning the sides of white rubber soles though, I'll say that.

Anonymous

Oh dear! I've never had to deal with cleaning this type of thing, but I've used magic eraser on many a thing that wouldn't come clean any other way.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Don't overdo the magic eraser. It's melamine, & basically acts as super fine sandpaper