Simple Tricks to Remove Odors from Old Leather Bags

Leather bags can start to smell old, mildewy, and unpleasant when they’re kept in moist conditions or stained with food. Luckily, there are several simple solutions to get rid of smells from a leather bag, like sunshine, baking soda, and vinegar. These odor-removal methods also help lift other smells, like smoke, stinky leather, and chemicals. We spoke with several cleaning experts to learn about all the different ways to deodorize your bag, so read on to learn more!

Getting Bad Smells Out of Leather Bags

Clean the inside and outside of the bag. Or, let it air out in the sun for several hours. As an alternative, place the bag in a plastic bin and drop a baking soda-filled sock inside the purse and the bin. Or, wipe the bag with equal parts white vinegar and water.

1

Cleaning the Inside of a Leather Bag

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Wipe the inside of the bag with baking soda and dish soap. Cleaning specialist Regina DeCorte recommends you first “remove all [the] contents of the purse.” Then, she says to “clean the lining using a dampened microfiber cloth, baking soda, and a drop of liquid dish detergent. Gently apply the dampened cloth to the interior lining, focusing on any stains.”^{[1]
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Expert Source

Regina DeCorte
Residential Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 28 September 2022.}
- If there is a lot of dirt, dust, and debris inside the bag, vacuum it out using a narrow vacuum attachment before you wipe it with a damp cloth.
- If the bag’s lining is leather, wipe it with a leather cleaner instead.

2

Cleaning the Outside of a Leather Bag

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Clean the outside of the bag with a leather cleaner. Dampen a soft, microfiber cloth with water and apply a small bit of leather cleaner. Then, rub the cleaner into the bag using circular motions. Simply wipe off the cleaner with a dry cloth when you’re done.^{[2]
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- Follow up the leather cleaner with a leather conditioner to restore moisture and protect it from damage. Apply a small amount of conditioner onto a microfiber cloth and wipe it into the leather using circular motions. Once the conditioner is dry, wipe it with a dry cloth to remove any residue.^{[3]
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- Note: Spot test the leather cleaner and conditioner on a hidden part of your bag to ensure it doesn’t stain it or cause the dye to run.

3

Airing Out a Leather Bag

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Leave the leather bag to air out in the sun for several hours. Certified leather care technician Mallika Sharma says to deodorize a leather bag by opening it up and “drying [it] out in the sun” in a breezy, well-ventilated area. She just advises not to leave the bag out in the sun for “more than a few hours” because “sunlight can cause the leather to fade.”^{[4]
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Expert Source

Mallika Sharma
Certified Leather Care Technician

Expert Interview. 14 May 2021.}
- For instance, let the bag air out on your porch, in front of an open window, or by an air conditioning vent or fan.
- If the bag still smells bad, let it air out in the sun for several hours over the course of a few more days. If you still smell an old, musty odor, try one of the deodorizing methods below.
Expert Answer

Q

How do I prevent odors in my leather bag?

Mallika Sharma
Certified Leather Care Technician
Mallika Sharma is a Certified Leather Care Technician and the Founder of The Leather Laundry, a niche spa service for luxury leather gear in India. Mallika specializes in leather cleaning, coloring, repairing, and restoring for shoes, handbags, jackets, wallets, belts, and sofas. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh Business School. Mallika is a certified Professional Leather Care Technician and trained with the globally reputed leather care company, LTT in the United Kingdom.

EXPERT ADVICE

Answer from Mallika Sharma:

You can prevent musty odors by ensuring that you store your bag in a cool and dry place. Keep it in a dust cover or cloth bag and not a plastic bag. Always put a pouch of silica gel inside, which helps keep moisture at bay!

4

Deodorizing with Baking Soda

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Leave baking soda-filled socks inside the bag for 24 hours. Fill 2 crew of calf socks with baking soda. Then, place the leather purse inside an airtight plastic bag or container. Set one of the socks in the container next to the purse and one inside the purse. Seal the purse and container and let the baking soda work its deodorizing magic for at least 24 hours.^{[5]
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- Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that lifts and neutralizes smells.^{[6]
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- Alternatively, use pantyhose, a sachet bag, or a linen bag. You just want to contain the baking soda in something breathable to allow it to absorb your bag’s odors.
- If your bag still smells after 24 hours, repeat the process with fresh baking soda. Or, use one of the other odor removal methods below.

5

Removing Odors with Vinegar

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Wipe the bag with equal parts white vinegar and distilled water. Dampen a soft, microfiber cloth in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and distilled water. Then, wipe down the inside and outside of the bag. Leave the bag open and place it on a hanger or clothes drying rack to air dry in a breezy, well-ventilated spot.^{[7]
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- White vinegar is also a natural deodorizer. It absorbs smells and evaporates quickly without leaving behind a vinegary smell.^{[8]
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- Alternatively, pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it on the inside and outside of the bag.
- Pay special attention to any mildewy spots or areas that smell particularly unpleasant.
- Note: Test the vinegar solution on a small spot on your bag to ensure it doesn’t stain or damage the leather.
- Check on the bag’s odor after air drying. If it’s still there, wipe it with the vinegar solution again and let it air dry.

6

Removing Odors with Charcoal

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Leave activated charcoal sachets inside the bag for 24 hours. Break up several activated charcoal briquettes and place them inside 2 crew or calf socks. Set your leather bag in a sealable plastic bag or bin and set one of the charcoal socks next to it. Then, place the other sock inside the leather bag. Close the container and bag and leave the charcoal to deodorize for 24 hours.^{[9]
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- Activated charcoal is another deodorizer that absorbs unpleasant smells.^{[10]
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- Check on the bag after 24 hours. If it still smells, replace the charcoal with fresh pieces and let the bag sit for another 24 hours.

7

Deodorizing with Silica Gel Packets

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Leave a handful of silica gel packets inside your bag. Silica packets absorb odors and moisture, helping to neutralize smells and prevent them from coming back. Simply place 3 or 5 silica packets inside your purse and keep them there.^{[11]
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- Replace the silica gel packets with fresh ones whenever they get saturated with moisture.
- Silica gel packs are especially useful if your bag smells musty or moldy or if you live in a humid environment.

8

Removing Odors with Rubbing Alcohol

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Spray the inside of the bag with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. House cleaning specialist Laura Smith says, “rubbing alcohol does a pretty good job of destroying odors.” To get rid of musty bag smells, she advises spraying the inside of the purse “with rubbing alcohol” and then letting it “dry completely.”^{[12]
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Expert Source

Laura Smith
House Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 26 May 2022.}
- Note: Do not use this method if the inside of your purse is made of leather. Rubbing alcohol can damage and degrade leather.^{[13]
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- Be careful when spraying the rubbing alcohol to avoid getting it on the leather exterior.

9

Deodorizing with Newspaper

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Seal the purse in a plastic bag full of newspaper for 1 to 3 days. Scrunch up several pieces of newspaper and stuff them inside a large plastic bag, such as a storage bag or a garbage bag. Then, insert the leather bag in the middle of the newspaper. Close the plastic bag and leave the purse to deodorize for 1 to 3 days.^{[14]
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- Note: The newspaper might mark some lighter leather bags. Place light-colored bags inside a pillowcase or other thin, breathable bag before setting it in the newspaper.
- If the inside of the bag smells bad, stuff it with newspaper, too.
- Newspaper also works to absorb and neutralize smells.
- This method is also useful for deodorizing leather shoes.
- Do a sniff test to see whether the odor is gone after 1 to 3 days. If it hasn’t, keep the bag inside the newspaper for a few more days.

10

Neutralizing Odors with Coffee

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Set coffee-filled socks inside the bag for 1 week. Fill a crew or calf sock with dry coffee grounds. Then, place the coffee sock inside your leather bag and zip it closed. Simply leave the sock inside the bag for up to 1 week. During this time, it will soak up the unpleasant odor.^{[15]
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- If you don’t have ground coffee, use dried tea leaves.
- If the smell is coming from the outside of the bag, place it inside a plastic bin and set another coffee sock next to it. Then, close the container.
- Smell the bag after about 1 week. If it still smells, replace the coffee grounds with fresh ones and place the sock back in the bag for a few more days.
- Coffee grounds are great at absorbing unpleasant odors.^{[16]
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- This method is great for removing all kinds of odor from a leather bag, from mildew to cigarette smoke. However, it might not remove very strong odors as effectively as baking soda or vinegar.

11

Deodorizing with a Disinfectant Spray

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Spray the inside of the bag with a disinfectant spray for a quick fix. To remove unpleasant odors inside your leather bag, spritz it with a disinfectant spray or fabric freshener spray. This also adds a fresh, clean scent to your bag.^{[17]
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- Alternatively, use a shoe freshener spray to absorb odors.
- Some sprays also prevent mold and mildew to protect your bag from developing unpleasant odors.

12

Removing Odors with Potpourri

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Place a potpourri sachet inside the bag for 1 week. Potpourri is a sachet of dried flowers and herbs that can add a pleasant scent back to your leather bag.^{[18]
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Research source} Simply set a sachet in your bag, zip it closed, and place it in a well-ventilated area for at least 1 week.
- Make your own potpourri with your favorite flowers and scents, or get a premade sachet.
- Keep the potpourri sachet inside the bag after 1 week to ensure it stays smelling fresh.
- Potpourri might not deodorize your bag as well as the other methods, as it’s best for adding a pleasant scent instead of absorbing odors.

How Do You Repair Cracked Leather?

How Can You Reduce Strong Smells in Leather?

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Question

How can I get rid of musty odors caused by moisture?

Mallika Sharma
Certified Leather Care Technician
Mallika Sharma is a Certified Leather Care Technician and the Founder of The Leather Laundry, a niche spa service for luxury leather gear in India. Mallika specializes in leather cleaning, coloring, repairing, and restoring for shoes, handbags, jackets, wallets, belts, and sofas. She holds a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh Business School. Mallika is a certified Professional Leather Care Technician and trained with the globally reputed leather care company, LTT in the United Kingdom.

Mallika Sharma

Certified Leather Care Technician

Expert Answer

Deodorize your bag by leaving it out in the sun to dry. Just don't leave it out for more than a few hours or the leather could fade.

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How do I freshen a book bag purse that has a bad odor from spoiled milk?

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Try using the vinegar method, and if that doesn't work, try the baking soda.

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Tips

If your bag still smells after trying to deodorize it, take it to a professional leather cleaner.

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Keep the bag smelling fresh by storing it in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight. Storing your bag in hot, humid conditions can cause it to smell musty or grow mold, while direct sunlight can cause it to fade.

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Prevent odors by placing a few silica gel packets inside the bag to absorb moisture.

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Warning

Always spot-test cleaners on a discrete part of the leather bag before you use them all over. This shows you whether the cleaner stains or damages the material.