Summer adventures can be tough on your tote bag, especially if it’s made out of leather. While bags made out of other materials are easier to clean, knowing how to properly care for leather requires following some specific steps. When your leather tote bag has sunscreen spills, stains, sweat, and dust, you can’t clean it with any type of detergent. Therefore, knowing how to clean tote bags—particularly ones made from leather—will keep them looking fresh and lasting for years to come.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to clean tote bags using various materials. For high-quality leather tote bags—like those from HIDES—you can’t skip out on these steps. They’re simple, practical, and won’t compromise the bag’s look and the feel.
Why It’s Important to Clean Your Leather Tote Bag Regularly?
Knowing how to clean tote bags made out of leather regularly is important because it helps to maintain the integrity, elegance, and function of the bag. Leather, naturally, is a porous material and absorbs moisture, oils, and pollutants from the air. Grime accumulates if the tote bag isn’t cleaned regularly, which can cause discoloration of the leather, dullness, permanent staining, stiffening, and unpleasant odors. Regularly cleaning helps to remove the impurities before they can cause lasting damage to your leather tote bag.
Since leather is a porous material, it needs the right type of moisture to remain elegant, supple, and give off its natural sheen. When it’s covered in moisture from spills or humidity and frequently used without proper care, your tote bag can quickly wear and tear.
Learning how to clean tote bags regularly is also about maintaining hygiene. Leather tote bags—like the Crossbody Tote or the Leather Tote with Magnetic Closure from HIDES—can carry multiple things, which can become a haven for bacteria and ruin your essentials if not properly cared for. A simple wipe-down every week minimizes the chances of bacteria build-up, and helps your bag smell fresh.
Messy summer days or not, learning how to clean tote bags regularly is the easiest way to extend its life, make sure it smells fresh, and retain its luxurious sheen.
If you are new to cleaning leather accessories we suggest checking our beginner-friendly guide about how to clean leather bags.
How to Clean Tote Bags: General Tips for Leather
Keeping your leather tote bag clean is simple. In just a few steps, you’ll learn how to clean tote bags. Remember that consistency is key, and by following the steps we’ve outlined below, you’ll be able to easily remove the stains and debris that naturally build up.
Follow the six steps outlined below to learn how to clean tote bags made out of leather. The additional two steps—conditioning and storing—can be done once a month, and when you want to put your bag away, respectively.
Step 1: Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
Knowing how to clean tote bags means gathering what the essentials you need. Before you start cleaning your tote bag,
You’ll need these supplies to easily clean your leather tote bag:
- Soft microfiber cloths
- Leather-safe soap that’s mild
- Distilled water
- Leather cleaner
- Leather conditioner
-
Cotton swabs or a soft toothbrush (for tight corners)
Step 2: Empty and Shake it Out
After you have all the materials at your disposal, you need to empty all of the contents from your tote bag. Once you’ve taken everything out, flip the bag over and give it a light shake to release any dust, sand, or crumbs that could have gathered and settled deep inside.
Step 3: Wipe Down the Exterior
Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the surface of your leather tote bag to remove the dust, light dirt, and surface buildup. You can also use a soft brush to gently clean the lining.
Step 4: Gently Clean Stained Spots
When you finish wiping down the bag, you can focus on cleaning any visible spots or stains. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with lukewarm, distilled water and a drop of that mild soap.
Gently dab at the stained area to remove the stain without spreading it. Never rub hard because it can potentially scratch the leather and cause the stain to spread.
Also, avoid soaking the leather because too much moisture can lead to moulding of the leather.
Step 5: Deep Cleaning Leather Tote Bags
In order to deep clean, you need to apply a leather-specific cleaner to a clean cloth and follow the product’s instructions carefully. You can test out the product on a small hidden area at first to see if it looks good after cleaning. As a general tip, you clean the surface gently in circular motions.
Step 6: Let It Dry Naturally
Once you’ve cleaned the bag, let it air dry indoors away from direct sunlight or heaters. Also, don’t use a hairdryer or place it in front of a fan—let it dry out naturally so the leather’s color won’t fade out over time or stiffen from being too dry.
Step 7: Leather Conditioning (Monthly)
Leather naturally dries out over time—especially after being exposed to the elements—and loses its luster, becomes stiff, or even cracks. To prevent any of these from happening, you need to properly condition your leather tote bag. This is a crucial step in knowing how to clean tote bags because it preserves the luster and quality of the leather.
While you don’t need to condition your leather tote bag every day, make it a habit to regularly condition the leather once a month.
When the bag is dry, nourish the leather by applying a small amount (dime-sized) of leather conditioner on a microfiber cloth. Gently rub the conditioner in circular motions into the surface of the leather, focusing on one section at a time so that the conditioner is evenly covered in all areas.
Let the bag absorb the conditioner for at least 30 minutes (or as instructed by the product) to sufficiently nourish the leather. Afterward, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to gently polish the surface and to bring out a soft sheen. Doing this last step also removes the excess product (if there’s any).
Tip: Don’t over-apply the conditioner on the leather because that can make your tote bag sticky.
Step 8: Store Properly
Knowing how to clean tote bags also includes knowing how to properly store tote bags. Stuff your bag lightly with tissue paper to preserve its shape and store it in a dust bag (HIDES often provides with luxury totes) or a cotton bag, and keep it in a cool, dry place.
HIDES Leather Tote Bags: Recommendations and Reviews
Now that you know how to clean tote bags made out of leather, it’s also important to invest in a quality-grade tote. HIDES offers a collection of leather tote bags that are stylish and built to last, but today we’ll take a closer look at two standout options that are a mix of elegance, structure, and durability.
Crossbody Leather Tote - Saddle Brown
✅Flexible Wear—Designed with an adjustable strap to wear it as a crossbody tote or on shoulder
✅Organized Interior—Features internal compartment for better tote bag organization.
✅Perfect for Travel—Lightweight yet roomy enough for documents, devices, and other travel essentials
✅Versatile Style—Great for work, market trips, or casual wear
✅Rich Saddle Brown Finish—Warm tone that goes perfectly with summer and fall wardrobes
Price: $374
Leather Tote - Magnetic Closure
✅Elegant Design—Minimalist exterior with magnet strap for quick access
✅Spacious Interior—Roomy for a wallet, notebook, daily essentials, and even a laptop
✅Secure Closure—The magnetic strap keeps items safely inside
✅Versatile Style—Perfect for office, quick errands, or casual outings
✅Blue Hue Finish—Cool tone that goes perfectly with summer, fall, and winter wardrobes
Price: $316
This tote bag is specifically listed as one of the best summer tote bags for 2025.
FAQ: How to Clean Tote Bags At Home
If you don’t have the necessary materials for leather care and still have questions about how to clean tote bags made out of leather, below are some frequently asked questions that provide practical answers for home remedies.
Can I use household products to clean leather tote bags?
Yes, but do it with caution. Using a damp microfiber cloth, gently wipe down your bag with a mix of distilled lukewarm water and a mild unscented soap to remove light dirt. Always spot test in a hidden area first, and avoid using harsh chemicals like vinegar, bleach, or alcohol, which discolor or dry out the leather.
What’s the safest homemade remedy for cleaning leather?
A combination of lukewarm, distilled water and a small amount of baby shampoo or castile soap works well for light cleaning. Dampen a soft, microfiber cloth to gently wipe down. Follow it up with a leather conditioner to moisturize the leather and prevent it from drying out or cracking. If your bag still feels stiff after cleaning, you can explore tips on how to soften leather bag to restore its suppleness and flexibility without causing damage.
How do I clean oil or grease spills from a leather tote?
Cornstarch is one of the best natural remedies for fresh spills. Dab the area gently with a dry cloth, then sprinkle a generous amount of cornstarch over the stain and let it sit overnight to absorb the oil. In the morning, brush it off with a dry cloth (and repeat if needed).
If you don’t have cornstarch, you can also use talcum powder.
How to wash a tote bag made out of leather?
Leather should never be soaked in water or machine-washed. Following the steps mentioned in this article is enough to know how to clean tote bags.
Can I use baby wipes on leather bags?
Standard baby wipes aren’t recommended because most contain alcohol or additives that can strip the leather of its natural oils and degrade it over time. Just stick to leather-specific wipes or a dampened microfiber cloth.
