How to Clean & Restore a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Surrey Crossbody Bag
- The Velvet Muzzle
- Jun 26
- 6 min read
Welcome to The Velvet Muzzle! In today’s blog post, we’re sharing our process for cleaning and restoring a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Surrey Crossbody Bag in Taupe All-Weather Leather with British Tan Trim.
Given her age, she was in great condition. She had some typical vintage wear and dryness throughout, so she just needed a cleaning, some conditioning, and a refresh!
We're excited to show you how we brought her back to life! Read on to see how we did it.
This restoration process took a few hours to complete. Watch as we speed up the entire process, bringing this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Surrey Crossbody Bag back to life!
Whether 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 at 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 Surrey Crossbody Bag—a piece that’s over three decades old, yet still has so much life left to give. Here’s how we brought her back to life.
Step-by-Step Restoration: How to Clean & Restore a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Surrey Crossbody 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 Surrey 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, 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 Surrey Bag was pretty dirty, we gave her exterior a deep cleaning to help restore both her color and original shape.
We created a solution of warm water and unscented castile soap, then 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 crossbody strap 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. Deep Cleaned the Suede Interior
One of the things we love most about vintage Dooney & Bourke bags is their natural suede interiors. The suede interior of this crossbody bag was in great condition. We didn’t note anything significant beyond typical grime and vintage wear, so we gave her a deep cleaning to ensure she was truly clean and fresh for her reloved debut!
As with her exterior, using warm water and our 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 microfiber towel before moving on.
👉 Read this article to learn How to Clean Suede Bag Interiors with Castile Soap (Gently & Effectively).
4. Stuffed & Reshaped the Wet Bag
Once the interior was clean, it was time to dry and reshape 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.
5. Conditioned the Leather Exterior
Once the bag was dry and clean, we wanted to make sure it stayed moisturized and pliable. We used Apple Leather Conditioner on the entire bag, including the crossbody strap and the interior leather pockets and detailing, applying it with our gloved hands so we could really work it into the leather.
Leather conditioner is essential for preventing cracking and maintaining suppleness, especially on vintage leather bags.
👉 Learn more in our article: How Apple Leather Conditioner Helps Us Give Preloved Vintage Leather Luxury Bags a Second Chance.
6. Buffed Out the Bag
With the leather cleaned and conditioned, we used a clean microfiber towel to buff the entire exterior. This brought the look and feel of the leather back to life.
7. Cleaned & Polished the Brass Hardware
Brass hardware can lose its shine and tarnish over time. The brass hardware on this vintage bag was pretty dull and 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.
8. Stuffed the Finished Bag with Tissue Paper
With the cleaning and conditioning complete, we reassembled her crossbody strap and duck fob before stuffing 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 Surrey Crossbody Bag:
Handheld Cordless Vacuum: https://amzn.to/4j3cDXW
Lint Roller: https://amzn.to/3GPNJMP
Unscented Castile Soap: https://amzn.to/4jSfRxr
Horsehair Brush: https://amzn.to/44tPOrz
Apple Leather Conditioner: https://amzn.to/403bZ3T
Brasso Brass Cleaner: https://amzn.to/4gKx7TS
Microfiber Towels: https://amzn.to/4a5dl2F
Cotton Swabs: https://amzn.to/3BJg8lD
Cotton Rounds: https://amzn.to/4ggfkTi
Rubber Gloves: https://amzn.to/41bt3VN
White Towels: https://amzn.to/44zVPmE
White Tissue Paper: https://amzn.to/40mH83C
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!
Why Restore a Vintage Bag?
Restoring a vintage bag like this Dooney & Bourke Surrey 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 Surrey Crossbody Bag. It was such a rewarding experience to bring this bag back to life, and we’re thrilled with how it turned out. 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!
