How to Gently Clean Vintage Leather Handbags with Castile Soap

The Velvet Muzzle
Jun 5
5 min read

Today we’re sharing how to gently clean vintage leather handbags with Castile soap.

At The Velvet Muzzle, we specialize in breathing new life into preloved vintage luxury bags, giving them the opportunity to be reloved and cherished once again.

Through careful cleaning, repair, and restoration, we prepare each bag for its next chapter while honoring its history, craftsmanship, and character.

Owning a restored preloved vintage luxury bag is about more than fashion—it’s a commitment to sustainability and the preservation of timeless design. Many of the vintage bags we restore feature leather exteriors that have accumulated dirt, grime, or staining over time and need mindful care.

In this article, we’re sharing how we use Castile soap—a gentle, natural cleaner—to safely clean the leather exteriors on these bags without damaging their finish or structure, while restoring their appearance.

Why Use Castile Soap on Leather?

Many of the preloved vintage luxury bags we restore feature a wide range of leather types, including all-weather leather, pebble grain, smooth leather, dyed leather, and leather trim. While each type has its own unique characteristics, all leather is a natural material — beautifully made and resilient, yet porous enough to absorb chemicals, oils, dirt, and buildup over time.

Traditional leather cleaners can sometimes be too harsh or ineffective. Some contain chemicals that dry out the leather or even cause discoloration.

That’s why we’ve turned to gentler, safer alternatives—like Castile soap, a plant-based, non-toxic soap that’s incredibly mild and safe for most leather surfaces when used correctly.

Castile soap works beautifully on multiple types of leather when used sparingly and appropriately. It helps lift dirt and grime without drying the material or altering its finish.

👉 Important: Always use unscented, pure Castile soap—fragrances and added oils can leave behind residue or cause discoloration.

This is the Castile soap we use and recommend: https://amzn.to/4m9hYhW

How to Gently Clean Vintage Leather Handbags with Castile Soap: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Start by Inspecting the Bag

Before you introduce any moisture, take a moment to closely inspect the leather exterior. Look for visible dirt, stains, discoloration, or areas of wear. This allows you to:

Identify spots that need extra attention
Note any areas where the leather is delicate or already damaged
Determine whether the entire surface needs cleaning or just specific sections

After inspection, begin by removing loose debris and surface dust. Use a dry microfiber towel to gently wipe down the exterior of the bag. This step is important—it helps prevent dirt from grinding into the leather when you apply moisture later.

2. Mix a Mild Castile Soap Solution

Next, prepare your gentle cleaning solution

How to Mix It:

Add just a few drops of unscented, pure Castile soap to up to 1 cup of lukewarm water (We use Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Soap).
Stir gently to form a light, slightly soapy solution—less is more!You don’t want bubbles or a strong concentration—just enough to clean without leaving residue.

3. Clean in Circular Motions—Gently and Thoroughly

Now that your solution is ready, it’s time to clean—gently and with intention.

The Process:

Dampen a horsehair dauber brush with your Castile soap solution (You can find the dauber brushes we use and recommend here Favorite Products).
Use light pressure and apply the solution in small circular motions
Avoid pressing too hard or scrubbing in one direction—gentleness preserves the finish
Work one panel at a time to stay controlled and consistent
After cleaning each panel, use a dry microfiber towel to gently wipe away any remaining soap residue then move on to the next section

👉 Curious why we use microfiber towels in all of our restoration work? Read more in our article: How Microfiber Towels Are Essential to Our Restoration Process for Preloved Vintage and Luxury Bags.

4. Let the Leather Air Dry Naturally

Once the cleaning is complete, stuff the bag with dry, clean towels to help it maintain its shape. 👉 These are the ones we use and recommend: Towels on Amazon

This step helps prevent sagging or collapse while the leather resets and returns to form.

⚠️ Important: Never force-dry leather with a hairdryer, heater, or by placing it in direct sunlight. Doing so can lead to cracking, shrinkage, or discoloration.

5. Condition If Needed

Once the leather is fully dry, assess whether it needs a light conditioning treatment. If the leather appears dry or stiff, apply a minimal amount of leather conditioner using a clean, dry cloth.

Always test in an inconspicuous area first to ensure compatibility.

👉 Learn why this is one of our favorite leather conditioners: How Apple Leather Conditioner Helps Us Give Preloved Vintage Leather Luxury Bags a Second Chance.

Example from Our Work

We used this exact Castile soap method on a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Bag with a leather exterior in bone all-weather leather that showed signs of surface grime, residue buildup, and discoloration.

After careful cleaning with the diluted Castile soap solution, the exterior looked bright and refreshed, and it restored the leather’s beautiful finish—with no cracking, streaking, or residue left behind.

Tips for Success

Test first: Always test your Castile soap mixture on a small, hidden part of the leather before applying it more broadly.
Don’t over-wet: Use as little moisture as possible to prevent oversaturation.
Avoid scented versions: Stick to unscented or baby mild Castile soap to avoid residues or fragrance transfer.
Don’t skip the drying step: Air drying properly is key to protecting the leather.

Tools and Products Used for Cleaning Leather Interiors

We want to ensure you can easily follow the same process when cleaning and restoring the leather interior of your bag.

Here are the tools and products we recommend for restoring the leather interiors of your preloved vintage luxury bags:

Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Castile Soap: https://amzn.to/3GX9biI
Microfiber Towels: https://amzn.to/4a5dl2F
Hand Towels for Reshaping: https://amzn.to/3GUtJZe
Horsehair Dauber Brushes: https://www.thevelvetmuzzle.com/favorite-products

These are the same products and tools we use for every restoration project, 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!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed following along with How to Gently Clean Vintage Leather Handbags with Castile Soap. We’ve enjoyed sharing another way we refresh leather on our restored preloved vintage luxury bags. By following these tips, you can keep your leather exteriors clean, supple, and ready for many more years of use—all while embracing a more sustainable approach to luxury.

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!