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How to Clean & Restore a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Carrier Bag

  • Writer: The Velvet Muzzle
    The Velvet Muzzle
  • 2 hours ago
  • 6 min read
How to Clean & Restore a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Carrier Bag by The Velvet Muzzle

Welcome to The Velvet Muzzle! In today’s blog post, we’re sharing our step-by-step process for cleaning and restoring a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Carrier Bag from the early ’90s—making her about 33 years old! She’s in a rare colorway: Deep Taupe All-Weather Leather with Burnt Cedar Trim.


Considering her age, her overall condition was actually quite nice. Her biggest issue? She had no shape. It was clear she’d been stored flat for years—likely with something heavy resting on top. There was no way to bring her structure back without a deep, thorough cleaning… so that’s exactly what we did!


This large Carrier Bag is a true treasure for any vintage Dooney & Bourke lover. We’re excited to walk you through the detailed restoration process and show you how we brought her back to life.


This restoration process took a few hours to complete. Watch as we speed up the entire process, bringing this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Carrier Bag back to life!




hether you're a Dooney & Bourke enthusiast, a lover of preloved fashion, or simply curious about restoring vintage bags, this post has you covered. We’ll take you through the cleaning and restoration journey that transformed this thrifted vintage find 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 each one a second chance. Some of the bags we restore become part of our personal collection, while others are offered for sale on our website: www.thevelvetmuzzle.com. Every bag we choose is treated with love and care, ensuring it’s ready for its next chapter.


This restoration project features a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Carrier Bag—a piece that’s over three decades old, yet still has so much life left to give. Here’s how we brought it back to life.



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


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


1. Vacuumed and Lint Rolled the Interior

The interior of a vintage bag can 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 gently vacuumed the interior zipper 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 why this tool matters, check out our article: 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 Carrier Bag was flattened and dirty, we gave her a deep cleaning—inside and out—to help restore 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 straps and the duck fob charm using the same method.


👉 To learn more about why this staple matters, check out our article: How Microfiber Towels Are Essential to Our Restoration Process for Restored Preloved Vintage Luxury Bags.


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 straps and duck fob charm holder, applying it with a microfiber towel to work it into the leather. We needed every drop of moisture to help with reshaping, and this was only the second step in the process. 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 and Polished the Brass Hardware

Brass hardware can lose its shine and tarnish over time. On this vintage Carrier bag, it was heavily tarnished—showing its 30+ years of wear.


We used our go-to: Brasso Brass Cleaner, along with cotton swabs, cotton rounds, and a clean microfiber towel to gently remove tarnish and restore its shine. It’s important to apply the cleaner in small increments, reapplying as needed, and to be as gentle as possible.


👉 For more on how we clean brass, check out our article: How Brasso Metal Polish Helps Us Restore Brass Hardware on Preloved Vintage and Luxury Bags.


6. Deep Cleaned the Suede Interior

One of the things we love most about Vintage Dooney & Bourke bags is their natural suede interiors. This dark taupe Carrier Bag had a particularly dirty interior, especially on the flap, which showed signs of general wear. There were also some ink marks on the interior corners that we knew we could at least lighten with a deeper cleaning.


Since she was so flat, we matched the exterior cleaning with equal attention inside. Using the same warm water and unscented castile soap solution, we cleaned the interior suede with a horsehair dauber brush, working in small circular motions. After cleaning each panel, we wiped it down with a warm, damp cloth before moving on.


7. Stuffed & Reshaped the Wet Bag

Once both the interior and exterior were cleaned and moisturized, it was time to reshape and dry the bag.


We stuffed the interior with clean towels, carefully reshaping her as we went—because she would dry in the shape we gave her. This is a critical step to get right the first time!


After 24 hours, we removed the damp towels and replaced them with a fresh, dry set to finish the drying and shaping process. She was already standing on her own at this point—just like when she was new! The final day of drying locked in the shape, and we were thrilled with the result.


8. Stuffed the Finished Bag with Tissue Paper

With the cleaning and conditioning complete, we reassembled her straps and hangtags (not shown in the video), and stuffed the finished bag with white tissue paper to help maintain her new shape.


Keeping your vintage bags stuffed when not in use is key to preserving their structure and functionality, especially after restoration.


🎥 Want to see this full transformation? Check out the video below to watch the entire process, step by step!




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 Carrier 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 Vintage Dooney & Bourke Carrier Bag by The Velvet Muzzle

Why Restore a Vintage Bag?

Restoring a vintage bag like this Dooney & Bourke Carrier 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 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 learning about the transformation of this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Carrier Bag. It was such a rewarding experience to bring this bag back to life, and we’re thrilled with how it turned out. This beautiful bag is available for purchase in the Shop on our website. If you want to learn more about vintage bag restorations, or if you're looking for other preloved luxury treasures, be sure to check out our website.


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!


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