Around the House
How Do I Clean a Kate Spade New York Handbag or Purse
Kate Spade handbags are made from a variety of fabrics and textiles that require different types of cleaning methods to stay looking their very best. In most cases, each handbag is made from a variety of materials, most or which are hidden from view as part of the handbags construction.
The following instructions will help you determine if your handbag is right for “wet” cleaning and how to achieve the best results.
Step 1: Brush or vacuum dirt and debris from the surface. Removing loose soil before applying a cleaning solution is a best practice technique for cleaning almost everything. Remember, it is easier to remove dry debris versus mud, which is what happens when you wet dirt.
If vacuuming, be sure to set your vacuum to a low setting, if that is an option on your equipment. Be sure to use a drapery or upholstery tool with soft bristles. DO NOT use a hard attachment, such as a crevice tool, on the exterior of the handbag, as these types of tools may etch or scratch some materials, such as silk and leather. Even if the tool is made out of plastic, it can still leave marks on fine fabrics.
Step 2: Determine if your handbag can be “wet” cleaned. In the cleaning world, “wet” simply refers to water based cleaning. Dry cleaning solutions, though a liquid, do not contain water (those cleaning solutions are typically petroleum or oil based). According to Kate Spade’s website (LINK HERE), water based cleaning products include classic nylon and most fabrics EXCEPT leather, satin, silk, and velvet.
Step 3: Mix a MILD cleaning solution. If your fabric is “wet cleanable”, Kate Spade New York recommends using a mild mixture of Ivory soap or Woolite. Mix according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 4: Test in an inconspicuous (hidden) spot BEFORE cleaning the entire handbag. To do this, dampen a small section of a white, clean, lint-free cloth with your mixed cleaning solution. A white towel is important because you are going to check for color transfer. Press the cloth on a hidden spot, perhaps on the bottom of the bag. Hold for about 10 to 20 seconds. Check the cloth to see if any of the color has transferred from the bag to the cloth. If “yes,” then stop immediately. This means the colors may run (the fabric is not “colorfast”).
If the colors do not run, then add a little more moisture to the cloth and clean the bottom of the handbag with a gentle, circular motion. If necessary, smooth the nap of the fabric in the same direction. Only apply enough moisture to clean the surface of the fabric. Do not want saturate the material. Allow to air dry. If there are no signs of damage, then you may continue to Step 5. If there are any adverse reactions, such as color loss or puckered fabric, then consult a professional cleaner (such as your local dry cleaner) for help cleaning the remainder of the handbag.
Step 5: Gently dab with a lint free (microfiber) cloth. Dip a clean, colorfast cloth into your cleaning solution; just enough for the towel to get wet. Less moisture is best. As with the cleaning test in Step 4, you only want to apply enough cleaning solution to clean the surface of the handbag. NEVER saturate the fabric! If you can feel moisture inside of the purse, you are using too much.
Step 6: Make sure you have evenly cleaned each section so the handbag dries uniformly. Equal wetting of the material will provide smooth drying. If you over-wet one section and under-wet another, you can end up with a handbag riddled with clean and dirty patches.
The best way to avoid this unsightly patchwork is to make sure you evenly clean your handbag. Take your time! No one cares if you spent 10 minutes or 2 hours cleaning your handbag. They will, however, take notice if your pocketbook becomes a mixed bag of clean and dirty sections.
Step 7: Allow to dry. Don’t rush the process. Place your bag in a space with good ventilation. Temperature is not as important as fresh, moving air.
Step 8: Use or store your Kate Spade New York handbag! If you are not going to be using your handbag for an extended period of time, properly store it.
Before placing your bag in a closet, stuff it with plenty of tissue paper. The tissue paper helps your purse keep its shape while in storage. If available, place your bag in a storage bag or box to protect the handbag from dust and debris. Avoid placing anything heavy on top of the bag, as the weight of other storage items can cause the bag to lose its signature shape and style.
Pro Tips:
Here’s why: though you may have a Kate Spade bag that is made from durable fabric that you would think is okay to clean with water, such as nylon, keep in mind that there is more to your bag than meets the eye. Other fabrics may be used in the lining and interior of the bag, not to mention your bag may have accents made from leather or other fine materials. Submerging your bag in water may damage these other materials. For instance, you may cause a water ring to appear on the bag; leather may become wrinkled; and you can cause something called delamination, which is when adhesives used in the manufacturing process break down (in other words, it could cause parts of the bag to fall apart).
The following instructions will help you determine if your handbag is right for “wet” cleaning and how to achieve the best results.
Step 1: Brush or vacuum dirt and debris from the surface. Removing loose soil before applying a cleaning solution is a best practice technique for cleaning almost everything. Remember, it is easier to remove dry debris versus mud, which is what happens when you wet dirt.
If vacuuming, be sure to set your vacuum to a low setting, if that is an option on your equipment. Be sure to use a drapery or upholstery tool with soft bristles. DO NOT use a hard attachment, such as a crevice tool, on the exterior of the handbag, as these types of tools may etch or scratch some materials, such as silk and leather. Even if the tool is made out of plastic, it can still leave marks on fine fabrics.
Step 2: Determine if your handbag can be “wet” cleaned. In the cleaning world, “wet” simply refers to water based cleaning. Dry cleaning solutions, though a liquid, do not contain water (those cleaning solutions are typically petroleum or oil based). According to Kate Spade’s website (LINK HERE), water based cleaning products include classic nylon and most fabrics EXCEPT leather, satin, silk, and velvet.
Step 3: Mix a MILD cleaning solution. If your fabric is “wet cleanable”, Kate Spade New York recommends using a mild mixture of Ivory soap or Woolite. Mix according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 4: Test in an inconspicuous (hidden) spot BEFORE cleaning the entire handbag. To do this, dampen a small section of a white, clean, lint-free cloth with your mixed cleaning solution. A white towel is important because you are going to check for color transfer. Press the cloth on a hidden spot, perhaps on the bottom of the bag. Hold for about 10 to 20 seconds. Check the cloth to see if any of the color has transferred from the bag to the cloth. If “yes,” then stop immediately. This means the colors may run (the fabric is not “colorfast”).
If the colors do not run, then add a little more moisture to the cloth and clean the bottom of the handbag with a gentle, circular motion. If necessary, smooth the nap of the fabric in the same direction. Only apply enough moisture to clean the surface of the fabric. Do not want saturate the material. Allow to air dry. If there are no signs of damage, then you may continue to Step 5. If there are any adverse reactions, such as color loss or puckered fabric, then consult a professional cleaner (such as your local dry cleaner) for help cleaning the remainder of the handbag.
Step 5: Gently dab with a lint free (microfiber) cloth. Dip a clean, colorfast cloth into your cleaning solution; just enough for the towel to get wet. Less moisture is best. As with the cleaning test in Step 4, you only want to apply enough cleaning solution to clean the surface of the handbag. NEVER saturate the fabric! If you can feel moisture inside of the purse, you are using too much.
Step 6: Make sure you have evenly cleaned each section so the handbag dries uniformly. Equal wetting of the material will provide smooth drying. If you over-wet one section and under-wet another, you can end up with a handbag riddled with clean and dirty patches.
The best way to avoid this unsightly patchwork is to make sure you evenly clean your handbag. Take your time! No one cares if you spent 10 minutes or 2 hours cleaning your handbag. They will, however, take notice if your pocketbook becomes a mixed bag of clean and dirty sections.
Step 7: Allow to dry. Don’t rush the process. Place your bag in a space with good ventilation. Temperature is not as important as fresh, moving air.
Step 8: Use or store your Kate Spade New York handbag! If you are not going to be using your handbag for an extended period of time, properly store it.
Before placing your bag in a closet, stuff it with plenty of tissue paper. The tissue paper helps your purse keep its shape while in storage. If available, place your bag in a storage bag or box to protect the handbag from dust and debris. Avoid placing anything heavy on top of the bag, as the weight of other storage items can cause the bag to lose its signature shape and style.
Pro Tips:
- NEVER submerge your Kate Spade bag in water to clean it. This includes giving it a quick dunk in a sink or dropping it into your washing machine.
Here’s why: though you may have a Kate Spade bag that is made from durable fabric that you would think is okay to clean with water, such as nylon, keep in mind that there is more to your bag than meets the eye. Other fabrics may be used in the lining and interior of the bag, not to mention your bag may have accents made from leather or other fine materials. Submerging your bag in water may damage these other materials. For instance, you may cause a water ring to appear on the bag; leather may become wrinkled; and you can cause something called delamination, which is when adhesives used in the manufacturing process break down (in other words, it could cause parts of the bag to fall apart).
- When in doubt, bring your bag to a professional. Many dry cleaners and shoe shops offer handbag cleaning and repair services.