The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning and Caring for Your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

Download Article

Keep your canvas, leather, or jacquard tote looking its best

Download Article

Deep Cleaning

|

Spot Cleaning

|

Maintaining Your Bag

Most Marc Jacobs tote bags are made of a mixture of canvas, leather, or jacquard, so it can be difficult to know how to clean them properly. Luckily, it’s easy to clean your bag using cleaners you probably already have at home. If it’s made of canvas or a mixture of materials, just soak it in water and laundry detergent or spot-clean it with a soft cloth or brush. Read on to learn how you can get out those hard-to-clean stains and make your bag shine!

Things You Should Know

To deep-clean, fill a sink with warm water and a sprinkle of laundry detergent. Soak the tote bag, rinse it with cold water, and let it air dry.
To remove stains, use a cloth soaked in warm water and detergent or a stain remover specific to the material of your bag to gently scrub the outside.
Deep clean your bag every 6 months, store it in a dust bag when you aren’t using it, and apply a water-resistant spray to keep it looking its best.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Deep Cleaning Your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

Download Article

1
Empty out the bag and remove any debris with a lint roller. Remove all items from inside and outside of the tote bag. Then, use a lint roller or a dry soft-bristled brush to dust off any lint, crumbs, or other debris from the inside and outside of the bag.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Alternatively, use a damp cloth or a handheld vacuum to remove any dirt or debris.
- Check the care label before cleaning.^{[2]XResearch source} If the label says "dry clean only,” consider taking it to a professional.
2
Fill a clean sink with warm water and 1 tsp (5 mL) of laundry detergent. For standard canvas bags, fill a clean bucket or sink with warm water, then add a teaspoon (5 mL) of liquid or powder laundry detergent to the water. Use your hand to swish the water around so that the detergent dissolves evenly.^{[3]XResearch source}
- For leather bags: Wipe the inside and outside down with a soft cloth and leather bag cleaner or a few drops of dishwashing soap and distilled water.
- For jacquard bags: Take them to a dry cleaner to have them deep-cleaned.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Avoid using hand or body soap or harsh cleaning products like bleach or ammonia—they may damage or discolor your tote bag.
Advertisement
3
Soak the bag for about 15 minutes, then gently scrub the outside. Place the Marc Jacobs tote bag in the water so it’s completely submerged. Allow the bag to soak for 15 minutes. Then, remove the bag and gently scrub any spots or stains on the canvas with a soft-bristled brush.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Or, try using a fabric steam cleaner with warm water to clean the fabric inside and the canvas outside the bag.
4
Rinse the bag with cold water and allow it to air dry. Rinse your bag with cold water until the soap suds are completely removed. Then, hang it up and allow it to air-dry away from direct sunlight.^{[6]XResearch source}
- For canvas bags: Use a bag shaper to keep its structure. Otherwise, the canvas may shrink while drying.
- For bags with leather features: Dry them with a soft cloth and gently rub them with leather conditioner while they’re still damp to keep the leather soft.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Spot Cleaning Your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

Download Article

1
Soak a cloth or soft-bristled brush in water and laundry detergent. Mix 1 cup (237 mL) of water with a couple of drops of liquid detergent or a pinch of powder detergent and soak the brush or cloth in the solution.
- For leather bags or bags with leather features: Skip the soapy brush and instead apply leather conditioner to the spot with a soft cloth. Buff the leather until it shines.^{[7]XResearch source}
- For jacquard bags: Use a damp or dry soft cloth to gently blot out stains instead of soaking a cloth or brush. For tougher stains, consider taking your bag to a dry cleaner.
2
Gently scrub the stain. Use the cloth or soft-bristled brush to gently scrub any stains until they come out. Then, with a new damp cloth, wipe down the bag to remove leftover suds.^{[8]XResearch source}
- You can also use a shoe cleaner and conditioner or upholstery cleaner instead of detergent. Use a carpet cleaner to get really tough stains out of the canvas, but be sure to test the cleaner on a corner of the bag first.
Hang up your tote bag in an area away from direct sunlight to avoid fading. Allow it to dry completely before using it again.^{[9]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

Download Article

1
Store your tote bag in a dust bag when you aren’t using it. Most Marc Jacobs backpacks, purses, and bags come with a dust bag so you can keep your bag clean when not in use. Keep your tote bag stuffed with tissue paper and store it in a room-temperature place away from direct sunlight or excessive moisture.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Marc Jacobs also has a 1-year Bags and Leather Goods Warranty. Contact the store where you purchased the bag for warranty information.^{[11]XResearch source}
2
Deep clean your bag every 6 months. To keep your tote bag looking great, aim to deep clean it about every 6 months and spot-clean as needed. If you use your bag every day, consider cleaning it a little more often (about every 3 months).
- To keep your bag clean, avoid setting it on the ground, where it might be more likely to get stained.
- Unless the care label says to, always hand wash your bag and avoid putting it in the washing machine to prevent it from becoming damaged.
3
Apply a water-resistant spray to protect your bag from staining. To protect your bag from hard-to-clean stains and water damage in the future, apply a water-resistant spray to the inside and outside of the bag. Reapply the spray after each wash.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Some recommend using Scotchguard Fabric Protector, a specific brand of stain and water-repellent spray.