How To Safely Clean A Louis Vuitton Bag: The Essential Guide

We only feature products that we hope you will love. We may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you.  

Now that you’ve got your hands on a stunning Louis Vuitton handbag, how do you go about cleaning it to make sure it always looks its best? Don’t worry, we’ve got you!

Louis Vuitton handbags are completely irresistible and a must-have in any luxury bag collection – but of course, you want them always to look their best. To help you out, we have covered the best ways to clean your Louis Vuitton bag, no matter the material or hardware.

How to clean a Louis Vuitton bag

Before we get into how to clean each different material that Louis Vuitton offers, here are some tips on how to keep your bag looking its best for as long as possible.

Louis Vuitton recommends that the materials used to make their bags should not come into contact with makeup, perfumes, or disinfectants, including hand sanitizer. Obviously, this is not always possible with daily use, but if you keep your bag away from these substances wherever possible, it will look fresher for longer.


It is also best to rotate the use of your LV handbag – this will ensure it has time to rest as constant use will cause the bag to wear more quickly.

When you are not using your Louis Vuitton bag, make sure to store it in the dust bag the handbag comes with, keep it out of direct sunlight and away from your radiators. To preserve the shape, be careful not to overpack your bag.

Over time, Louis Vuitton bags go through a natural patina process. This means the silhouette of the bag will soften slightly and natural marks, creases, and veins may reveal themselves in the fabrics of the bag. This is just a natural process that proves the authenticity of your Louis Vuitton and will make the bag unique to just you!

Now, let’s jump into how to clean Louis Vuitton bags in

Coated Canvas

How to clean a Louis Vuitton canvas Neverfull bag
Get this on Fashionphile
Louis Vuitton Speedy bag
Get this on Fashionphile

A canvas bag, such as the Louis Vuitton Neverfull bag or the Speedy, is the most hardwearing out of all the bags the luxury brand has on offer. The coated canvas can be easily cleaned at home with just a damp cloth and soapy water.

Make sure to ring out your cloth well to ensure it is not too wet then gently rub the damp cloth over the entire bag in a circular motion. This same cleaning process can also be used on limited-edition prints or collaboration coated canvas bags.

Some owners of Louis Vuitton canvas bags recommend using a leather cleaner on your canvas bag for a deeper clean. However, Louis Vuitton does note that using a leather cleaner on the coated canvas may cause the fabric to age prematurely – so a leather cleaner does come with its own risks.

Also, it is worth being careful as to where you put down your canvas bag – too much time spent on a highly pigmented surface may cause some of this pigment to transfer onto your bag. If you have the Damier Azur LV canvas, which is lighter in color, be sure to be extra careful.

Epi Leather

How to clean a Louis Vuitton bag in Epi leather
Get this on Fashionphile
Light blue Louis Vuitton Alma BB epi leather bag
Get this on Fashionphile

For natural leathers, such as on the Cluny or Alma bags, minimal cleaning is required to take good care of the leather, as too much contact with water, leather lotions or any chemicals can affect the integrity of the material.

Normal leather bags develop a natural amber patina over time, while the material will feel softer and more supple. The patina through general wear will display that this is an authentic Louis Vuitton bag and show the journey of the bag as well.

If the bag does come into contact with water, the best way to prevent any water stains is to blot the affected area immediately with a light-colored absorbent clean cloth.

It may sound odd, but if the leather does become stained before the natural patina has developed, just leave the mark and the stain will eventually fade into the natural color of the bag!

For calfskin or cowhide leather, any surface stains can be cleaned using water and a soft cloth.

Vernis Leather

How to clean a Louis Vuitton Vernis leather bag
Get this on Fashionphile
Black Vernis leather Spring Street Louis Vuitton bag
Browse all Spring Street Vernis leather bags on Fashionphile

Again, this type of smooth, patent leather should be kept out of direct sunlight as this will cause the color to fade. Make sure to keep the bag away from any surfaces that may transfer pigments to the Vernis leather of the Alma or Spring Street bags, such as denim.

Any surface dirt should be cleaned off using a dry cloth, as contact with too much water may stain the leather.

Exotic Materials

Pink alligator leather Louis Vuitton Capucines bag
Browse all alligator leather LV bags on Fashionphile
How to clean a Louis Vuitton exotic leather bag
Browse all lizard Capucines on Fashionphile

It is crucial to keep any bags made from exotic materials away from humidity and rain as this will damage the material – so perhaps avoid wearing this bag on a rainy day! If the bag does come in contact with any water, immediately gently blot it with a dry, absorbent, lint-free cloth.

Crocodile, alligator, python, and lizard skins are particularly delicate when it comes to heat, as too much heat or humidity can cause the scales to unstick themselves. Do not clean any of these exotic skins with a leather conditioner, as this may stain the leather.

Vachetta Leather Trims and hardware

The trims on LV bags are often made from Louis Vuitton Vachetta leather – these need to be cleaned very carefully due to the fragility of the fabric. Keep water away from the Vachetta leather as it may leave watermarks – it is best to clean the trim with a clean, dry, soft cloth.

You can also use a leather conditioner to clean up the Vachetta leather. Use a small amount on a light-colored microfiber cloth and slowly rub in a circular motion, then let the conditioner dry before adding another layer. Leave the leather a full day to dry out properly.

A magic eraser can also be used on the Vachetta leather, again rubbed gently on the trim, and left to dry fully before using the bag again.

If you are worried about how a leather conditioner will affect the Vachetta leather, the best solution would be to try using it in a small, inconspicuous location on the bag so you can see what effect it has without damaging the bag.

For the metal hardware, a tiny amount of metal polish, such as Brasso, on a Q-tip can be used to make the metal hardware shine again. Make sure to remove any polish with a soft, dry cloth!

Take extra care when applying any metal polish so that it doesn’t come into contact with the leather or canvas on the bag.

Inside the bag

It’s important to regularly clean out the inside of the bag, so no marks or stains affect the lining. Empty your bag and then tip it upside down over a trash can to get rid of any small debris and crumbs.

A lint roller can be used to remove any dust from the lining of the bag; then, it can be wiped down using unscented baby wipes to make sure the interior is properly clean.

Larger, difficult-to-remove stains, such as ink stains, can be prevented through the use of a luxury bag liner so the lining of your bag cannot get dirty.

Final Note

Hopefully, this provides you with all the information you need to clean up your gorgeous Louis Vuitton bag. If you are worried about using any leather conditioners or metal polishes on your bag, as previously mentioned, it’s safest to try it out on a hidden area first before going ahead and using it on the rest of the bag.

Be sure to always clean your bag gently and start with a little soapy water or leather conditioner at a time – you can always add more. Happy bag cleaning!

We hope you found this article on cleaning your Louis Vuitton bag helpful! For loads more luxury fashion posts, check out the links below!

Get More luxury fashion ideas

Louis Vuitton Vs Chanel: Which Luxury Brand Is Right For You?

How To Spot A Fake Louis Vuitton Bag: Our 6 Top Tips

What Exactly Are Louis Vuitton Bags Made Of? Find Out Here!

Browse All Luxury Fashion Posts

Similar Posts