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Ledertasche riecht nach Chemie: 6 Tipps gegen den Geruch
Produktionsleiter
Steffen Meyer has many years of experience and extensive expertise in the field of leather processing and has been with PICARD for over 40 years. He is a trained fine leather maker, has passed the master craftsman examination and has worked as a trainer and member of the examination board.
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Your new bag has arrived and you would love to go out with it straight away. But it smells terribly of chemicals, but it's not the box, because it's already in the trash.

The new bag smells of chemicals both inside and out and you want to remove this smell as quickly as possible.

With these 6 tips you should be able to remove the smell from your bag .

Leather bag shoulder bag

Why does my leather bag smell of chemicals?

The chemical smell can have several causes, which we will now look at in more detail. The smells often come from tanning agents, binding agents or dyes , which can initially cause the smell of the new leather.

The smell usually disappears with proper airing.

Sometimes it is also the packaging in which the bag was packed, usually plastic bags.

How to neutralize the chemical smell

The chemical smell can be neutralized in various ways, but in any case it is important to air the leather well.

You will also find household remedies in your household cupboard that can neutralize the smell .

If all of this is not to your satisfaction, you can use a special cleaner to clean your leather bag .


Baking soda against chemical smell in your bag

You can also use baking soda to neutralize the chemical smell. The great thing about baking soda powder is that it doesn't mask odors, but actually neutralizes them.

Baking soda is not only suitable for baking cakes or washing fruit and vegetables, it can also combat the chemical smell in your leather bag .

Leather bag picard

The best way to do this is as follows:

1. Sprinkle the bag generously inside and out with the baking soda powder

2. Place the bag in a plastic bag and seal it

3. Leave it to work overnight , then carefully tap off the powder. You can also use a small handheld vacuum cleaner.

4. Then clean the bag thoroughly and treat it with a leather care product or waterproofing spray that is suitable for your leather.


Remove odor from a bag with newspaper

Newspaper can be used for more than just cleaning windows and finding out the most important news. A cardboard box, newspaper and a little patience can help neutralize the chemical smell.

1. Wrap the bag tightly in 1-3 layers of newspaper

2. Pack the bag in a clean box and leave it like this for a few days

This should neutralize the smell

Expert tip: If you are not completely satisfied with the result, you can use leather balm on smooth leather; this locks the odors in the pores.

Scented soap for fresh scent in the leather bag

Once the chemical smell has been eliminated , you can put a scented sachet in your bag . This will ensure that your bag always smells fresh. You can make the scented soap yourself or use scented sticks for bags, which you can buy in almost all drugstores or online.

1. Grate a very small piece of soap of your choice , this works well with a vegetable slicer

2. Then pack in a cotton bag , alternatively in a sock

3. Put it in your bag and enjoy the smell

Leather bag Picard

Other home remedies against chemical smells

You can also find one or two household remedies in your household cupboard to get rid of the chemical smell.

Coffee powder:

Ground coffee not only removes unpleasant smells from the refrigerator, it can also work on your leather bag.

  • Sprinkle the powder in and on the bag and place it in a sealable plastic bag.

    Now let the coffee powder work, just like when treating with baking soda.

  • It is best to leave it to work overnight . Then tap off the powder well and brush or vacuum it away.

    Afterwards, you should clean the bag and treat it with a leather care product .

Vinegar:
 
Before you use vinegar to neutralize the smell, please check whether your leather can tolerate vinegar. Vinegar is not suitable for all leather, and you should make a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water and never use the vinegar pure.

  • Soak a clean cloth in the mixture

  • Wring it out well and wipe the bag inside and out

  • Let it soak in for about 10 minutes

  • Then wipe with a damp cloth (water only) and let it air out

  • Then pamper the leather with a rich leather care product

Baking powder:

Raising agents such as baking soda or baking powder have an odor-neutralizing effect. Proceed in the same way as when treating with baking soda or coffee powder.

Airing out:

Fresh air is good for all of us, but especially for smelly leather.

Hang your leather bag on the balcony or clothesline , preferably overnight, as the moisture in the air can help neutralize the smell.

Please make sure that the bag is not hanging in direct sunlight, as this could cause it to fade, dry out the leather and damage it.

How can I prevent my leather bag from smelling?

Leather can of course also absorb other odors , just like our clothes. Smoke, sweat or moldy smells are really unpleasant.

Especially when these scents waft towards you as you try to get your wallet out.

Leather can also start to smell after cleaning. This happens if you put the leather back on too quickly , so it is important to always let the leather dry completely after cleaning.


To avoid nasty smells in your leather bag, you should air it out and clean it regularly. Also, don't leave it hanging in damp rooms or musty basements for long periods of time.

For a pleasant smell, you can put scented soap bags in your bag.

Is faux leather smell toxic?

In general, it can be said that objects that smell strongly and unpleasantly of chemicals are often not very healthy .

There are various studies and tests on this; polyurethane and PVC contain plasticizers and these are not harmless to our bodies.

Conclusion

The unpleasant chemical smell in a new leather bag can be neutralized using various household remedies . Baking soda, newspaper, scented soaps or coffee powder can help to remove the stench.

Vinegar and baking soda are also effective home remedies, but they should be used with caution , as not all types of leather tolerate vinegar.

Regularly airing and cleaning the bag are also important measures to avoid unpleasant odors.

Artificial leather may contain plasticizers that are harmful to health, which is why it is advisable to look for high-quality and pollutant-free materials.

FAQ

How do you get rid of the smell of goat leather?

To remove the smell of goat leather , you can use a vinegar solution . Mix distilled white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio.

It is advisable to first carry out a test on a hidden part of the leather.

Apply a small amount of the vinegar solution to the leather with a soft cloth and check that the leather tolerates it and no discoloration or damage occurs.

If the test is successful, you can apply the vinegar solution over a large area of ​​the goatskin to neutralize the odor.

After treatment, the leather should be aired well and then pampered with a leather care product.

What can you do if leather shoes smell of chemicals?

For shoes that smell of chemicals, you can use various household remedies.

Baking soda is an effective way to neutralize odors. Simply sprinkle a packet of baking soda into the shoes and leave it to work overnight.

The next morning you can tap off the powder or vacuum it up.

The essential oils of fresh lemon or orange peel can also help eliminate unpleasant odors.

Put the citrus fruit peels in your shoes overnight; this should provide a wonderfully fresh scent.

Newspaper is another option to reduce the smell. Stuff the shoes with it and leave it to work overnight.

With these simple home remedies you can give your shoes a pleasant smell and get rid of the chemical smell.

Of course, this also works wonderfully with leather handbags.

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