How to Clean a Louis Vuitton Handbag

How do you clean a Louis Vuitton Handbag? As a designer handbag expert (having been professionally trained at The Real Real in authentication and also having years of experience buying and selling Louis Vuitton handbags in my own consignment shop) this is the number one question I get asked most. I have seen the oldest dirtiest Louis Vuitton’s and the newest hottest bags. LV handbags are not only stylish and iconic, but they are also made from high-quality materials that require proper care and maintenance. If kept in good condition they can last a lifetime. Here are some tips on how to clean a Louis Vuitton handbag and keep it looking like new.

How To Clean A Louis Vuitton Handbag

Cleaning a Louis Vuitton handbag requires special care to avoid damaging the leather or the hardware. Here are the steps to clean a Louis Vuitton handbag:

Remove any loose dirt or debris from the bag using a soft-bristled brush or a clean, dry cloth.
Apply a small amount of Louis Vuitton’s leather cleaner to a clean, soft cloth. Gently rub the cloth over the entire surface of the bag, paying extra attention to any stains or areas that are particularly dirty. Avoid getting the leather too wet.
Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any excess cleaner from the bag.
If you are only cleaning a small spot on a coated canvas a Baby Wipe works very well. Use a gentle sensitive baby wipe only.
If the bag is made of vachetta leather (untreated leather that darkens over time), you can condition it with Louis Vuitton’s leather conditioner to keep it soft and supple. Apply a small amount of the conditioner to a soft cloth and rub it into the leather in a circular motion. Wipe away any excess with a clean, dry cloth.
Allow the bag to air dry completely before using it again. Do not use a hair dryer or any other heat source to speed up the drying process.
You can also protect your Louis Vuitton handbag from future stains and damage by applying a leather protectant spray. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging carefully.

Remember, it’s important to use Louis Vuitton’s recommended cleaning and conditioning products to avoid damaging the leather or the hardware on your bag. However if you cant find Louis Vuitton cleaning products, there are tried and true products available at places like Amazon. I have highlighted below a few I personally have used and will recommend.

Disclaimer: Use at your own risk.

FANCY MY WAY is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Fancymyway.com

How to Clean a Vintage Louis Vuitton Bag

If the leather of your bag is dark, I recommend using a saddle soap. Simply wet and put the saddle soap on your hands and wipe the dark places but be careful because the soap will dry out the leather of the bag. After applying you should put on a Mink Oil to moisten the leather.

How to Protect and Care for a New Louis Vuitton Bag

When you purchase a new Louis Vuitton bag, you want to make sure that the leather of the bag does not darken quickly and doesn’t get watermarks on it.

To help protect your new Louis Vuitton handbag use a Waterproof Protector Spray. Apply it and then dry off the bag with a dry cloth. Even though the handbag will not be completely water resistant but the leather will be less absorbed.

How To Clean The Vechetta Leather

This natural cowhide leather (Vachetta) is rooted in the History of Louis Vuitton. A feature of this leather is the presence of natural imperfections, such as veins or wrinkles due to its lack of a superficial coat.

If you have a new purse with some vachetta on it, give it a spray of Apple Garde. The vachetta will darken for a few minutes but it will soon dry out.
The cowhide leather is extremely delicate. If the leather becomes stained before patina, do not try to clean it. Allow the leather to naturally darken and stains will become less noticeable.
When this leather encounters water, blot immediately with a light-colored, absorbent cloth.
Cleaning with any chemicals is not recommended.

What Not To Do

Do not clean Vachetta with normal soap even if it’s gotten very dark. Soap will remove the natural oil stored in the leather itself. After that, the leather will become dry and may crack. It will no lover feel smooth to the touch and it will become rubbery as well.

Recommended Leather Cleaner

Louis Vuitton recommends using their own leather cleaner and conditioner products for their bags, which can be purchased at the official lv store. It is important to note that using other leather cleaners may damage the bag and void the warranty.

How To Clean Brass on a Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton uses a variety of materials for their brass. However, most of them can be easily cleaned by this Wenol brass cleaning paste.

This special paste will make the hardware shine. If the hardware missed its superficial layer, then it’ll make the color even, without further damaging the brass.

How to Remove a Sticky Residue from the Interior of a Louis Vuitton

With some vintage Louis Vuitton bags the inside will be peeling and sticky. Not only does the purse look sad with these problems, but the lining is also not good to use because it’s sticky.

Well is it possible to remove this sticky peeling? Yes, and it’s not as hard as you think. All you need is some alcohol and apply it with a sponge, slowly taking away the sticky coating.

Louis Vuitton’s Average Costs for Repairs

If you can’t seem to clean the bag well enough yourself, you can visit your local boutique and replace used parts of the bag. Here are the prices of an official Louis Vuitton repair service.

Handle Replacements $150 per strap
Small Straps $150 per handle
Large Straps $250 per strap
Zip Replacements $180+
Hardware Replacements $50+
Piping Replacements $250+
Pocket Replacements $200+
Lining Replacements $350+

By following these simple tips, you can keep your Louis Vuitton handbag looking like new for years to come. Remember to clean and condition your bag regularly and store it properly to protect it from damage.

*PRO TIP* To remove pen marks from the inside of a Louis Vuitton bag, dab it with some alcohol on a Q-Tip. Gently rub it off.