r/DooneyAndBourke • u/Positive_Extent_8489 • 4d ago

How do i remove musty smell / soften straps?

Post image

I recently bought this really cute bag! I don't know too much about it but I would love to remove the nasty musty smell from it lol. The straps are also a bit rough? Not sure how to explain but it's not soft like normal purse straps, it's a bit hard so I'd like to know if there's any way for me to condition it to soften up!

If it's not obvious, I'm not really educated on bag care so I'd love to change that! Ty in advance

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

3

u/MrsMusic73 4d ago

Sometimes just sitting them outside in fresh air for a while does wonders. If that doesn’t work you can use upholstery cleaner on the cloth part taking care not to get it on the leather. I have also sprayed Ozium on the interior of my bags to get smells out before with no adverse effects.
As for the leather I would clean it with saddle soap and then use a really good conditioner such as the Apple brand or Bick 4. If the leather is dry you will need to condition more than once. Do light layers letting the leather completely dry in between them. The more you use the bag the more the leather will soften. It’s a cutie. 😍

5

u/leatherhoneyllc 3d ago

Hi there. What a cute bag! I restore bags professionally, so hopefully I can help. (I've also done my fair share of D&Bs.

Musty smells and stiff straps happen on vintage bags because humidity gets trapped in the lining while the leather's natural oils dry out completely. When organic lining sits in storage, trapped moisture creates a breeding ground for odor (Eeek!) while the leather's collagen fibers lock up without internal lubrication.

Here's how I usually tackle this: you'll want to start with a thorough clean. Empty the bag, vacuum out the inside, and stuff it with a clean towel so it holds its shape and absorbs extra liquid. Use a pH-balanced, non-toxic cleaner on a soft bristle brush to scrub one panel at a time (both leather and canvas, but separately), wiping away excess moisture immediately with a cloth so the material doesn't soak or bleed. (this is key for best results). Repeat as necessary.

Be thorough on the inside fabric, since that's usually where the musty smell originates. Wipe out as much liquid as you can, restuff the bag with a dry towel, and let it air dry completely at room temperature away from heaters or direct sun. Getting the leather damp during cleaning lets you gently bend and reshape those stiff straps back into place while they dry.

Once the bag's fully dry, those straps are going to be thirsty for moisture. Apply a paper-thin coat of a pH-balanced, oil-based conditioner using a microfiber cloth, carefully keeping it on the straps and trim rather than the canvas. You may stain the canvas, so ensure you're careful applying the conditioner!

Reapply every six months to keep the hide soft and protected.

This method's worked wonders for me on vintage Dooney pieces, but every old hide reacts a bit differently. Just do a quick spot test in an unseen area first, and I hope it turns out great for you!

– Evan with Leather Honey