Dye-like Dust inside bag: Need Help to Remove Please

dogstarheaven

I've had this bag for some years now (vintage hand-me-down from mum) which I love to wear but it has some kind of black dust inside, and it gets under my fingernails, making them look most unsavoury (especially going out somewhere nice!) It's on the lining of the bag, so no matter what I've done to sponge down the dust, the dust is still there (water in the sink turned grey-black). I've asked my mum what she had done to the bag, but she says it's that old (from the 80s!) she can't remember...

Can someone help please.

Syman

have you tried a vacuum cleaner on the lining?

jenniewb

Are you sure it's not mould? It could be that the bag needs a hot wash to kill off the mould but if it's stained it wont be so easy to remove. If it's just old dirt type dust it should come off with a wash with soapy water if that's possible but if not it may mean you are just going to have to wear marigold gloves to use the bag. A dry cleaner could help if the bag is especially tricky to clean but to save money you could try yourself.

dogstarheaven

Hi folks,

So sorry for the delay -

Hmm... mould??? I hadn't thought of that. It's a Gucci bag that hung around in the cold depths of a cupboard since I brought it home from my mum's a good 10 years ago. As it's real leather, I wouldn't know how to wash it without worrying if I damage it. I shall use a vacuum on it tomorrow, but if it doesn't work, what about a steam cleaner (I have a Vax 10-in-1)?

jenniewb

You can get leather bags dry-cleaned in most dry cleaners, however with a designer bag I'd want to be a bit careful not to leave it with just anyone and want to check they could take on the job and not make it worse. I've had bad experiences with a dry cleaner in the past and know now to be careful who I pick.

Lisbon

Sounds like mould, as others have suggested. Worth contacting Gucci to ask for advice if the bag is special to you. Or try the Handbag Spa: https://thehandbagspa.com/cleaning-and-repair

dogstarheaven

Thanks for that Lisbon, I shall have to get a quote from them, and see what they say.