How to get rid of odors and bad smells from leather bags

A lovely, high-quality handcrafted camel leather bag from Nomadic Camel is unquestionably one of life's greatest joys. That unique design of our premium product manufactured from genuine camel leather you want to flaunt to the world is true to style!

However, if you need to learn how to remove odor from a bag or how to remove a musty smell from leather, things might become hard! Some causes of the dreaded musty smell in leather bags include a combination of a setting, scenario, or habit.

What causes bad odors & smells in leather bags?

Before you begin the odor-removing procedure, you should be familiar with the primary reasons for foul odors in leather bags. Let us investigate more. These aromas might be produced by

- poor manufacturing

- tanning oils

- stinky bag contents

- food or beverage spillage

- mold and mildew on the bag's outside

Determine the source of the odors

Before removing odors from your leather bag, you must first establish where the scent originates.

  • If the odor comes from the bag's leather surface or outside, it might be due to mildew, poor craft, and unfiltered oil tanning, or rotting leather.
  • If the stench comes from the bag's inside lining, it might be due to the bag's contents or prior spills or stains. Determine the source of the odor and then choose an appropriate method from the list below.
  • When researching the cause of the odor, remove all the contents of your leather bag and thoroughly scrutinize everything.

How to Remove Odor & Bad Smells from Leather Bags

If your leather bag smells funky, try these tips to eliminate the odor and restore its freshness.

  1. Air out your bag outdoors

If you can air out your bag outside on a nice day (without leaving it unattended!), this will help eliminate any lingering odors that might still be present on the bag. If this isn't possible, consider placing it near an open window, or in front of an air conditioning vent so fresh air can circulate.

  1. Baking Soda

Using baking soda to remove smells from the leather bag inside is a highly successful way. Whether the stench emanating from your luggage is rotten or musty, the amphoteric characteristic of baking soda will neutralize the odorous molecules for a more neutral odor.

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Use a damp cloth to apply the paste to the leather and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Rinse with warm water, then buff dry with a clean cloth.

Place an open box of baking soda in your bag overnight to absorb odors. Repeat this as needed until the smell is gone.

  1. Vinegar

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle; spray this mixture onto your bag (or directly onto any areas where there's a particularly pungent smell) and let it sit for at least 5 minutes before blotting dry with paper towels.

  1. Professional cleaners

Leather cleanser can dissolve and safely remove filth and grime from most leather items. Apply it to the leather and use a clean cloth to remove any dirt or product residue.

Leather conditioners assist in protecting and strengthening the leather. This is more of a preventive step; conditioning your leather clean and free of bacteria and smells is another benefit.

  1. Utilize an Odor Absorber

Placing a charcoal odor absorber inside your leather bag is another way to get rid of unpleasant odors. This approach does not need you to remove any bag contents (though we encourage it). Simply insert it inside your bag.

This charcoal odor absorber will absorb moisture in the bag and keep it dry, removing most scents. This works incredibly effectively for odors that are separated from stains or spills.

  1. Use desiccants

Desiccants, such as silica gels, can eliminate odors from leather bags by physical absorption or chemical interaction. To eradicate any lingering stench, just drop a silica gel package into your leather bag without removing any contents.

Conclusion

Leather bags are a popular investment, and their appeal will often last for years. However, some common issues can arise. It's important to deal with these potential problems before they become an issue. Protecting your investment by taking care of your leather bag is crucial. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging and prevent your bag from reinfection. This ensures it will last a long time and continue to look like new. After all, you wouldn't want this issue to come back. 

FAQs

Does vinegar destroy leather?

Cleaning leather with a vinegar solution may soften and even brighten the leather. When diluted with equal parts water and used to clean the leather material of the furniture, vinegar is safe to use. The correct use of vinegar will not damage the leather.


Can you put baking soda on the leather?

Baking soda is a naturally occurring substance that may be used to clean and remove stains, filth, and odors from leather items. Because baking soda has a pH suited for leather, it is harsh on stains, filth, and odors without harming the leather.


Will vinegar and water ruin leather?

You can clean your leather furniture with a simple 50/50 vinegar and water solution. Apply the solution with a microfiber cloth, stroking the leather in a circular motion to remove dirt from the natural fibers.