A study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder revealed that our hands contain more than 4,700 different types of bacteria species. Can you believe that? Our hands touch numerous things, and when they rifle inside a purse, the bacteria get transferred to not only your belongings but also the lining. The study also found out that the dirtiest item in a purse is the hand cream as it is used often and sometimes even passed around.
The study concluded that the assortment of coins, receipts, tissues, and squashed lipstick create an environment quite icky, and the bacteria combined is what makes it dirtier than your cleaned toilet set.
Bet you don’t wanna dip your hand into your purse now, do you? We suggest that you think twice now before eating that chewing gum you found at the bottom of your purse.
How to Clean a Purses Lining
The good news is that there are plenty of ways on how to clean a purse lining easily. A couple of cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol, and a paper towel will help you remove the basic stains, such as pen marks and lipstick stains. For harder ones, like foundation, lip balm, and eyeliner, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are best. Let’s look at how to use these DIY cleaners.
Below are five ways on how to clean a purse lining using different cleaning products:
Things You Will Need
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Makeup Remover
- Witch Hazel
- Dish Liquid
- Baby Shampoo
- Baking Soda
- Mild Laundry Detergent
- A Cotton Swab
- A Microfiber Cloth
- Paper Towel
1. Before You Clean
Before you start removing the stains, dust the lining first. Pull out the cloth, and use a brush to remove all the crumbs and debris. A hand vacuum will work best here, but brushing off the dirt with your hand is good too.
You will now be able to spot stains easily and identify what caused them.
2. Removing Lipstick and Ink Stains
The two most common stains in a purse are the ones from lipstick and ink. If you find globs of lipstick caked to the lining, use a toothpick to scrape them off. Now, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub it on the stains gently. Once the lining is saturated and the stain is completely wet, blot the excess using a paper towel. Repeat this at least three times to remove any signs of the stains. Compared to ink stains, lipstick stains are more stubborn. If rubbing alcohol doesn’t remove it, try using witch hazel.
Note: If the purse’s lining is made of leather, don’t use water on it. The material might absorb the water and create more stubborn stains.
3. Removing Greasy Stains from Lip Balm or Food
We all have been guilty of keeping our half-eaten burrito in the purse. From loosely closed lip balms to half-open mini jars of Vaseline, grease stains can come from anything. Imagine the spicy salsa from your burrito mixing with strawberry lip balm. It’s not a stretch to say the results won’t be pretty.
You probably have an idea about how to remove grease stains. Your trusty baking soda comes to the rescue again. Cover the stain with baking soda, and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Using a toothbrush, scrub the stain, and then remove the powder. Repeat until the stains are removed. When applying baking soda one last time, rub it with a damp cloth, and let it sit overnight. Clean the spots with a new piece of cloth in the morning.
4. Removing Eyeliner Stains
We highly recommend you keep your cosmetics in a small pouch to prevent any stains in the first place. With that being said, eyeliner stains can be easily removed using dish liquid. In a small bowl, mix water and dish liquid. Dip a microfiber cloth in it, and rub the stain. Let the cloth dry for a couple of minutes and voilà. No more black streaks!
5. Removing Liquid Foundation Stains
For liquid foundation stains, you need a stronger cleaner, which is why we suggest using a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Use a cotton swab to rub the stain. Keep repeating until the stain is completely gone. Dampen the area with water, and use a paper towel to remove the excess. Lastly, use a microfiber cloth moistened with warm water, and scrub the spot where the stain was.
6. Removing Non–Oil-Based Stains Such as Blush and Foundation Powder
Head to your laundry room, and get a small amount of liquid or powder detergent. Add some water to it, and create a sudsy mixture. Dip a microfiber cloth in it, and run the stain. Make sure to keep your motions small, or the stain will transfer to a new spot. Keep rubbing the stain until it is removed completely. Dampen the area with water, and use a paper towel to remove the excess.
Our Final Thoughts on How to Clean a Purse Lining
That was pretty easy, right? Most cleaners mentioned above are already in your house. So, start with those first. The most effective is rubbing alcohol as it can remove pretty much any type of stain. If it has been years since you emptied your purse, you might want to try out witch hazel or hydrogen peroxide.
Don’t put things like your lunch or mid-day snacking cookies inside your purse. As for your makeup, clean all the products with a cloth first. Place them in a pouch that goes in your purse. While removing stains is easy, the beating your purse’s lining takes makes it vulnerable to tears. So, dust the inside of your purse once every week, and check every pocket to make sure you didn’t leave anything inside that might stain the lining.
