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How to Clean & Restore a Rare Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag

  • Writer: The Velvet Muzzle
    The Velvet Muzzle
  • Jun 10
  • 6 min read
How to Clean & Restore a Rare Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag by The Velvet Muzzle

Welcome to The Velvet Muzzle! In today's blog post, we’re sharing our step-by-step process for how to clean & restore a rare Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag, in Bone All-Weather Leather with matching trim. This bag is from Dooney’s Horseshoe collection!


This east-west style Dooney was a very rare thrifted find from the 80’s that we took from preloved to reloved.


She was in fantastic condition. She just needed a good refresh along with some reshaping to take her from preloved to reloved. We’re excited to show you how we brought her back to life with a detailed restoration!


Keep reading to discover how we gave this classic handbag a second chance as a reloved luxury bag.


This restoration process took several hours to complete. Watch as we speed up the entire process, bringing this rare Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Wide Short Shoulder Bag back to life!


Whether you're a Dooney & Bourke enthusiast, a lover of preloved fashion, or just interested in learning how to restore vintage bags, this post has you covered. We’ll walk you through the cleaning and restoration process that turned this thrifted Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag from preloved to reloved.


The Velvet Muzzle: Restored Preloved Vintage Luxury Bags


At The Velvet Muzzle, we specialize in restored preloved vintage luxury bags, giving them a second chance. Some of the bags we restore are kept in our personal collection, while others are offered for sale on our website at www.thevelvetmuzzle.com. Every bag we choose is treated with love and care, ensuring that it’s ready for its next chapter.


This restoration project features a rare Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag, made from Bone All-Weather Leather with matching trim. Here’s how we gave her a second chance.


Step-by-Step Restoration: How to Clean & Restore a Rare Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag


Restoring a vintage bag requires patience, the right tools, and a gentle touch. We followed a detailed process to make sure this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag got the love it deserved. Here’s how we did it:


1.  Vacuumed & Lint Rolled the Interior

The interior of a vintage bag can often accumulate dust, lint, and debris over time. Using a handheld cordless vacuum, we carefully cleaned the inside of the bag and the exterior slip pocket, paying special attention to the seams and corners. We also carefully vacuumed the interior zipper pocket and slip pockets. 


After vacuuming, we used a lint roller to pick up any remaining debris before moving on to the next step.


To learn more about the importance of using a handheld vacuum for your vintage and luxury bags, check out our article on Why Using a Handheld Cordless Vacuum is Essential for Cleaning Preloved Vintage and Luxury Bags.


2. Deep Cleaned the Leather Exterior

Because this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag was dull and flattened, we gave her exterior a deep cleaning to help restore both her color and her original shape.


We created a solution of warm water and unscented castile soap and applied it using a horsehair dauber brush in a circular motion, working one panel at a time. After applying the solution, we used a dry microfiber towel to wipe off the excess and lift away dirt before moving to the next panel.


This step removed both surface dirt and ground-in grime without being too harsh on the leather or brass hardware. We also cleaned the shoulder strap using the same method.


We come to love using Castille soap on our vintage bags. Check out this article on How to Gently Clean Vintage Leather Handbags with Castile Soap.



3. Conditioned the Leather Exterior

Once the leather was clean, we wanted to make sure it stayed moisturized and pliable. We used Apple Leather Conditioner on the entire bag, including the shoulder strap, applying it with our gloved hands to work it into the leather. Leather conditioner is essential for preventing cracking and maintaining suppleness, especially on vintage leather bags.



4. Buffed Out the Bag

With the leather cleaned and conditioned, we used a clean microfiber towel to buff the entire exterior. This final touch brought the look and feel of the leather back to life.


5. Cleaned the Suede Interior

One of the things we love about Vintage Dooney & Bourke bags is their natural suede interiors. The only downside? They can get quite dirty, and without proper care, that dirt can become stubborn. This 30+ year-old Porthole bag wasn’t too bad, considering her age.


To freshen her up, we used a suede brush to gently lift dirt and debris while separating the fibers. Then, we followed up with a suede eraser to deep clean her more matted areas. Not only did this remove dirt and brighten up her light suede interior, but it also restored the soft texture, giving the interior a refreshed look without causing any damage.


6. Reshaped and Stuffed the Bag

Once the cleaning and conditioning were done, we reassembled the bag, and stuffed the bag with white tissue paper. As we stuffed the bag, we reshaped it, returning it to the proper shape. Keeping your vintage bags stuffed when not in use is crucial to ensuring the bag retains its original structure and functionality, especially after years of use.


If you'd like to see how we applied these steps, check out the video below for the full transformation!

Tools and Products Used in the Restoration


We want to make sure that you can easily follow the same process if you're restoring a bag of your own.


Here are the products and tools we used to restore this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag:



These are the same products and tools we use for our restored preloved vintage luxury bags, and they’re all available on Amazon through the links above. We receive a small commission if you decide to purchase through these affiliate links, but it doesn’t cost you any extra. Thank you for your support!


How to Clean & Restore a Rare Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag by The Velvet Muzzle

Why Restore a Vintage Bag?

Restoring a vintage bag like this rare Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag is not just about cleaning—it’s about preserving a piece of history. These bags were crafted to last, and with a little care, they can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.


When you restore a bag, you’re giving it a second life and keeping it out of a landfill. It’s a more sustainable option than buying new, and you’re also able to own a unique, possibly one-of-a-kind item. Plus, vintage bags often have better craftsmanship than newer bags, making them a true treasure to own.


At The Velvet Muzzle, we believe in giving preloved vintage and luxury bags a second chance, and we hope this restoration inspires you to start your own bag care journey!



Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed following along with the transformation of this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Porthole Bag. It was so rewarding to bring her back to life. You can find this beauty available for purchase in the Shop on our website.


If you're into vintage bag restorations or hunting for other preloved luxury treasures, be sure to check out our website for more!


Join The Velvet Muzzle Community

If you love restored preloved vintage luxury bags, designer bag restorations and thrifted fashion, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social media @thevelvetmuzzle for more vintage and luxury bag transformations and restoration tips. We post new content regularly, and you won’t want to miss any of our upcoming projects! If you're looking for preloved vintage and luxury bags, be sure to visit the Shop on our website. We're constantly updating our collection with unique finds!


 
 
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