Removing black grease from brown leather

November 25, 2007 2:43 PM

My cherished leather Coach bag somehow got disgusting, mysterious, silvery-black grease all over the handle. What can I do to clean it safely? I'm looking for people with experience with this type of thing; Google just turns up a bunch of scary results that I'm afraid will ruin my bag.

I was traveling on an airplane, and when I got into my car I noticed my hand and arm were coated in grease. It might have been from my checked bag which was put under the plane; I'm not sure -- the stuff was all over my hand, and I think that's how it got on my purse. I'm having trouble washing it off my hands, too, but I'm not worried about that.
The bag is fairly new (about a year old) and is whiskey colored leather. I'm willing to try anything that won't ruin it -- like I said, Google turns up a bunch of funny results, like stuff with vinegar or salt and baking soda, and I'm wary to try something like that on my precious bag. I'd be happy to buy a leather-cleaning product, but solid recommendations are key -- I don't want to just buy some crazy leather cleaner without knowing that it will work.
Ideally, I'd like the grease to be removed completely without changing the color of the leather. Please tell me that it can be done.

posted by k8lin to clothing, beauty, & fashion (11 comments total)

Consult your local leather shop or reputable cleaner.
posted by wfrgms at 2:46 PM on November 25, 2007

Have you wiped off as much of whatever it is already? If not, get a terry cloth and use it dry to get as much gook off as possible. The longer it sits on the leather, the more chance it has to soak in and discolor the leather. Call a Coach store and see what they recommend.
posted by 45moore45 at 2:49 PM on November 25, 2007

Coach sells a leather cleaner on their website.
posted by macadamiaranch at 3:10 PM on November 25, 2007

It's very difficult to remove a stain like that without changing the color a little bit. If you can't replace the handle (Coach is supposed to be good about replacement parts) and you decide to try to lift the stain yourself, you will not damage the leather with saddle soap, Lexol, or mink oil and you can probably use all three to advantage.

Do you have a picture of the bag?
posted by jet_silver at 3:30 PM on November 25, 2007

Take it to a shoe repair shop. Shoe repair folks see all kinds of bad things happen to good leather products and can probably help you out, and for a very fair price if they charge you at all.
posted by altcountryman at 3:41 PM on November 25, 2007

My mom used to send her Coach bags back to Coach for cleaning and repair. They still seem to have the service - $20. They will probably replace the handle. If you try to clean it yourself, the leather will change color. Coach sells leather cleaners, too, but they don't recommend them for oil stains.
posted by Eringatang at 3:42 PM on November 25, 2007

I've used the Coach leather cleaner and it works really well, however I've never used it for anything as severe as what you are describing.
posted by whoaali at 3:45 PM on November 25, 2007

I guess the cleaning service has been stopped, according to their FAQ:

Can I send my bag to Coach for cleaning?
Unfortunately, we do not offer a cleaning or refurbishing service. We do offer a Coach Leather Cleaner, Signature C Fabric Cleaner and Moisturizer Set for our Classic Collection

My new advice is to try to clean the handle with their leather cleaner, and if that doesn't work to break the handle and then send it back for repair/ replacement. :)
posted by Eringatang at 3:49 PM on November 25, 2007

If you're rolling stacks, the help to enlist is Hallak Cleaners.
posted by Juliet Banana at 4:33 PM on November 25, 2007

Echoing Eringatang, Coach will clean it for you. All you have to do is pay to have it shipped back (about $20-30 last I checked) to your address). They have done it for a couple of my bags. I have been quite happy with their repair and cleaning services. At the very least, give one of their retail stores a call and see what they recommend. (btw, their servicing is done out of Fla, I think.)
posted by dancinglamb at 4:39 PM on November 25, 2007

Oops. Just saw Eringatang's update. Call a Coach store. Explain the situation. More often than not, they will tell you how/where to get it cleaned/repaired. I've had it done twice.
posted by dancinglamb at 4:41 PM on November 25, 2007