Buzz
If unpleasant odors are preventing you from using your favorite purse, it's time to freshen it up! Whether it's the lingering smell of cigarettes, perfume, or mothballs, there are plenty of ways to revitalize your purse. You likely have everything you need to combat stale odors without harming your bag. Give these methods a try and repeat as needed for stubborn smells.
Steps to Take
Cleaning Your Purse
1. Empty out your purse completely to remove the source of the odor. You won't be able to fully eliminate the smell until you remove its cause. Take everything out of your purse so you can clean it thoroughly.
- For instance, you might discover that a cigarette was crushed inside your purse, causing tobacco to spill out, or that a small perfume bottle leaked.
Clean out dirt and debris using a vacuum attachment. You'll likely find small bits of paper, crumbs, or dust in the corners of your purse's lining. Use a long, narrow vacuum attachment to suction out the interior of the purse.
- Removing debris also makes it easier to wipe down the inside of the bag.
Wipe down both the interior and exterior of the bag with diluted vinegar. For general surface dirt, a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar works effectively. Spray the solution onto a cloth and wipe it over the entire bag.
- Although the bag may initially smell like vinegar, the odor dissipates as it dries. Vinegar can even help eliminate faint odors from the purse.
- If concerned about vinegar being too harsh, try moistening a microfiber cloth and adding a drop of dish soap.
Pro Tip: This method can also be used on leather, but it's advisable to apply a leather conditioner afterward to prevent drying out and creasing.
Using Baking Soda or Charcoal
Place a 1-pound (454 g) box of baking soda into a pillowcase. Baking soda is an excellent natural deodorizer commonly found in most kitchens. Take an old pillowcase, open it up, and pour the baking soda directly into the case. Then, tie the pillowcase closed.
- If you prefer not to pour out the baking soda, simply open the box and place it directly into the bag. Keep in mind that using the box may not absorb odors as quickly as pouring the baking soda into the pillowcase.
Pro Tip: Instead of baking soda, you can also use charcoal briquettes, activated charcoal, or coffee grounds to absorb odors. Although they're more costly than baking soda, they offer longer-lasting odor absorption.
Insert the pillowcase containing baking soda into the purse. Place the pillowcase with baking soda inside the purse, leaving the purse unsealed. If you opted for the baking soda box, ensure it remains upright to prevent spills.
- Don't fret if baking soda spills; simply vacuum it up with your vacuum attachment.
Allow the baking soda to sit in the purse for at least 1 day. For mild odors, the baking soda should eliminate them within a day or two. For stronger or persistent odors, leave the baking soda in the purse until the odors dissipate, which may take several months.
- If leaving the baking soda in the purse for an extended period, remember to replace it with a fresh box every 30 days. For activated charcoal, replace every 2 months.
Exploring Alternative Methods
Give your bag some fresh air for a day. For slightly musty or faint odors, airing out the purse can be highly effective. Empty the contents of the bag and fully open it. Place it outdoors to allow fresh air to circulate and naturally remove unpleasant smells.
- If there's a chance of rain, bring the bag indoors to prevent it from getting wet.
Place a few silica gel packets inside the purse to absorb odors. Don't discard those small silica gel packets you find in packages. Instead, put 3 or 4 of them in your purse to eliminate odors and soak up moisture. This method works wonders for musty-smelling purses as the silica gel removes the moisture that leads to mildew.
- If silica gel packets aren't available, scented dryer sheets can serve as an alternative. Although they won't eliminate odors, they'll mask unpleasant smells temporarily.
Spray an odor-eliminating product into the purse. For a quick fix, lightly spray the interior of the bag with an odor-removing spray. While these sprays typically mask unpleasant odors, they may not completely eradicate them.
- You can opt for scented or fragrance-free odor-eliminating sprays.
Pro Tip: If you suspect bacteria or mold is the cause of the odor, consider purchasing a disinfecting spray. Look for a product that kills 99.9% of germs and spray it inside your purse.
Insert a solid odor-absorber into the bag and leave it for several days. To keep unpleasant odors away, invest in a small odor-absorbing puck and place it in the bag a few days before you intend to use it. Most odor-absorbing pucks absorb moisture and neutralize bad smells.
- You can purchase odor-absorbing pucks from home improvement stores or online retailers.
- To maintain a fresh scent in your bag, place the odor-absorber in the bag nightly and remove it in the morning before use.
Additional Tips
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As some odors can be persistent, you might need to experiment with several methods or repeat them until the smell dissipates.
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If you're unable to eliminate a strong odor from your bag, consider professional dry cleaning. Note that while this won't eradicate synthetic new-bag odors, it can effectively remove musty or cigarette smells.
Essentials
Cleaning Your Bag
- Vacuum cleaner
- Spray bottle
- White vinegar
Utilizing Baking Soda or Charcoal
- Baking soda
- Pillowcase
Exploring Alternative Methods
- Odor-eliminating spray
- Silica gel packets
- Solid odor-absorber
- Dryer sheets, if desired
