My tuna salad leaked in my bag...

climbgirl

....and now my handbag stinks! It's absolutely awful too, I think my officemate is just too polite to say anything

Any suggestions for getting the smell out? The bag itself is made of leather, but is lined with material on the inside, looks like a cotton-type material.

thanks!

comping_cat

Only thing i can think of is to sponge it off with a water and disinfectant mix, i know that works with mildew on leather!!! If its mainly the lining, does the lining move, or is all of it attached to the leather bag? if it does come out (i know it would still be attached at the top) would you be able to rinse it out (water and washing powder/washing up liquid) and leave to dry?

climbgirl

The lining's pretty much attached which is really annoying! Was hoping I'd just be able to soak it, but I don't really want to wet the whole bag.

Somewhere in the dark recesses of my memory, I have recollections of my mother saying that baking soda absorbs smells from material. Does this sound right?!

black-saturn

Try turning it inside out and cleaning it with water and bicarbonate of soda. Then turn it the right way again and sprinkle some bicarb in it and leave it for a few hours. If that doesnt work it might be time to treat yourself to a new bag.

climbgirl

Looks like we cross-posted there black saturn! I'll give the suggestions a go, it's my favourite bag so I'll work hard to rescue it

mamaoba

sprinkle loadsa bicarb in it and then spray the inside with a minimal amount of water. Leave it over night and then shake out