removing wrinkles from leather purse and bags

How to Get Wrinkles Out of Leather Purses & Bags: 5 Creative Methods

Leather purses look noticeably stunning when paired with a beautiful dress or a sharp suit. However, leather purses can wrinkle over time with use, especially when they’re frequently used and incorrectly maintained. 

Furthermore, these wrinkles may not be permanent depending on how well you take care of your leather purse. As leather is a highly porous and malleable material, wrinkles and creases are nothing out of the ordinary if your purse has gotten old, misshapen, or is constantly overstuffed. 

Leather purses can also get deeply wrinkled if you leave them out in the sun or expose them to water for an extended amount of time. By following our tips and tricks in this guide, you will be able to restore your purse to its original condition by removing deep wrinkles and creases. 

The best way to remove wrinkles from leather purses is by either hanging your leather purse in a closet, or using an iron, a hair dryer, or a heat gun on your leather purse to straighten out the leather. Interested to know how these methods work? Well, then let’s get started!

1. Hanging Your Leather Purse

Simply hanging your leather purse is a great trick to remove wrinkles and creases. In fact, it’s so simple that there must be a catch, right? Well, there isn’t much of a catch, but according to our tests, it’s not as effective as heat treating your leather purse.

While your purse is hanging for an extended period, gravity ensures that it stretches in the right locations, which causes the wrinkles to slowly disappear over time.

How to Use the Hanging Method to Remove Wrinkles

The most convenient way to use the hanging method is by using a hanger with clips. Make sure to use the clips to hold the purse and hang it according to its original shape, so it doesn’t crease. 

Hanging Your Leather Purse to Remove Wrinkles

If you’re looking for an even more convenient solution, then you should consider using a dedicated handbag hanger. These hangers won’t damage the purse strap, as they are designed for leather purses and bags.

Gravity will do its work and over time you’ll be able to see that the wrinkles and creases will shrink and sometimes even completely disappear. Simply hang the purse in an empty closet or any area that is well-ventilated but away from direct sunlight. 

Allow the bag to hang for at least a week or when you notice that all creases are gone. You’ll notice when the shape of the leather purse resembles the original. For heavily creased bags, this may take a while longer. 

If you still notice any form of wrinkling, you may want to add a little weight. You may also choose to stuff your leather purse with crumpled paper so that it maintains its shape while hanging in your closet. 

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t put too much weight into the bag while it’s hanging. This is because excess weight increases stress on the straps and buckles!

2. Ironing Your Leather Purse

Ironing your leather purse may sound strange at first; however, it can be a great way to get out creases and wrinkles. The heat and pressure of the iron straighten the fibers of the leather, holding their shape when the material cools off. Here’s how you can achieve this!

How to Use An Iron to Remove Wrinkles

Remove all the water from your steam iron and select the setting to the lowest available. As your iron warms, take a clean cotton cloth and place the material over the wrinkled leather purse. 

If you don’t have a piece of cloth, you’re able to use a shirt instead. Avoid using a towel, as they are typically too thick and won’t allow for any heat transfer. After the iron is sufficiently hot, press it gently over the material onto the leather purse to smoothen out the creases. 

Work your way over the entire surface carefully and ensure the temperature of the iron is not too hot. Always make sure that there is a material between the iron and your leather purse. 

You can move the iron back and forth to ensure all wrinkles are ironed out before use. If you need to apply pressure from the inside of the bag, use a towel or another piece of cloth to press the inner lining outward. 

Important Notice: Don’t let the iron make direct contact with your purse, as this will melt your leather and potentially destroy its texture. Your leather purse should also be dry and your iron should be set to the lowerest temperature. 

3. Using a Hair Dryer on Your Leather Purse

Similar to how a hot iron can smoothen out the creases on leather, heat from a hair dryer can help you focus on specific wrinkled areas. The process is a bit tedious, but with patience, you will be able to make your leather purse smooth and wrinkle-free in no time.

How to Use A Hair Dryer to Remove Wrinkles

Begin warming the leather purse with the lowest setting of the hair dryer. As you use the hair dryer on the creases, ensure to smoothen it using a piece of cloth afterward.

Hold the hairdryer approximately 10 to 12 inches away from the leather purse to ensure the heat doesn’t shrink the leather too much or even worse cause malformation. 

You can switch to a hotter setting if it becomes necessary, but remember to hold the hair dryer at a reasonable distance. One great benefit that the hair dryer method offers is that you can target specific areas of your leather purse – exactly where the wrinkles are!

4. Using a Heat Gun on Your Leather Purse

You can also use a heat gun to take out the creases on your leather purse. While we like this method, it can be a little harsh on your leather if you point it too closely. Therefore, maintain a reasonable distance and if your heat gun has multiple settings, we encourage you to try the lowerest heat settings first. 

How to Use A Heat Gun to Remove Wrinkles

Firstly, put the heat gun on the lowest available setting and hold it around 12 – 15 inches from the leather purse. Move it continuously around the sagged and wrinkled areas and try not to focus on a specific area for too long.

You can also wipe the leather purse with a damp cloth to lightly cool the surface. However, if you choose this approach, ensure that you keep your heat gun a couple of inches further away than before. 

Continue this process until all wrinkles on your leather purse are removed. Sometimes, this can take a few attempts. After all creases and wrinkles have been removed, turn off the heat gun and allow your leather purse to cool off.

How to Avoid Wrinkles & Creases from Forming on Leather Purses

We have created this section to help you learn about how you can avoid the formation of wrinkles on your leather purse from happening. While it is natural that leather purses form creases and wrinkles over time, there are certain tips and tricks we’d like to share with you to slow this process down and even completely avoid them from occurring. 

Please follow the below steps carefully to ensure your leather purse remains in top condition and wrinkle-free for years to come.

  • Don’t Overstuff Your Leather Purse – Overstuffing your leather purse can cause it to become physically deformed. The deformation can cause wrinkles and creases on the leather.
  • Don’t Carry Heavy Items – Carrying too heavy items in your leather purse can cause it to stretch in certain areas and shrink in some. This can lead to wrinkles if you carry a heavy item for a prolonged period.
  • Condition Your Leather Purse Regularly – Conditioning your leather purse regularly can keep it supple and soft. This process also helps to strengthen the leather fibers. If your leather purse is well-conditioned, it would be less likely to develop wrinkles and creases on the surface. 
  • Store Your Leather Purse Appropriately – Keeping your leather purse in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated environment can keep it in the best condition and protected from mold. Storage is one of the most important steps that can prevent creases on your leather purse. Storing it in a fabric bag in a roomy space where it does not get crumpled by other items can keep your leather purse looking as good as new.
  • Protect Your Leather Purse from the Elements – Always shield your leather purse against snow, rain, mud, and dirt. This is because excess exposure to water can damage leather and cause it to shrink and wrinkle.
  • Send It For Treatment – If you own a branded leather purse or one that is of significant value, it may be best to send it to the manufacturer or a leather workshop for treatment. They typically have the right tools and know-how to treat wrinkles and creases effectively and safely.

About Gerrit

Co-Founder, Researcher & Writer At Leatherskill

I’m a leather enthusiast who spends most of his free time crafting, researching, and writing about the many facets of this versatile material. Thanks for reading!