How To
How to clean a Marc Jacobs tote bag

• Mark Buxton

So, you’ve just purchased a new iconic Marc Jacobs tote bag or slung your much-loved, trusty Marc Jacobs “The Tote Bag” over your shoulder for another day of looking fabulous while having everything you need… but suddenly, the worst happens!

You stain your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag!

Fear not—Daniel Footwear is here to rescue you! This guide will show you how to clean multiple types of dirt and stains from your Marc Jacobs Tote Bags, whether canvas or leather and how to keep them looking clean in the long term. If you want to ensure your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag looks as fresh as the day you bought it, follow our easy step-by-step guide below and make it last wear after wear.

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Cleaning supplies you need:

  • Laundry detergent or gentle dish soap
  • Warm water
  • Soft-bristled brush (a toothbrush or nail brush works perfectly)
  • Microfibre cloths
  • Fabric stain remover (if canvas)
  • Leather cleaner and conditioner (if leather)
  • Lint roller
  • Vacuum cleaner
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Can you wash “The Tote Bag by Marc Jacobs?

Yes, but with caution! If you use your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag daily, it won’t stay pristine for long. But fear not; keeping the minimalist, clean aesthetic of your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag is easy; all you have to do is follow a few rules.

How to wash Marc Jacobs “The Tote Bag”: Our top tips

  1. Consider your bag’s material: Firstly, Marc Jacobs bags come in a few different materials, so your cleaning method will depend on the material of your bag.
  2. Check washing label instructions: Always follow the care instructions on the washing label of your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag to avoid damaging your new favourite handbag.
  3. Can I put Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag in the washer?: You may have seen TikTok posts claiming you can put your Marc Jacobs Tote Bags in the washing machine. You should NEVER do this. Even if your bag is 100% canvas and you put it on the cold hand-wash setting, there is still a risk that it will come out misshapen and never return to its original form.
  4. Always spot-test: Lastly, test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the tote to ensure it doesn’t damage or discolour it.
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How to clean a Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

Whether you have a canvas, jacquard, leather or teddy Marc Jacobs Tote Bag, follow the step-by-step cleaning guides below to freshen your handbag and keep it pristine for longer.

How to clean a canvas or jacquard Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

How to get a stain out of a Marc Jacobs Tote Bag: Spot cleaning

If your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag has a small stain, there is no need for a full wash. Simply follow the steps below or in the video to spot-clean your Marc Jacobs canvas or jacquard tote bag.

  1. Create your cleaning mixture: Mix gentle laundry detergent or Fairy Liquid and warm water in a bowl.
  2. Work the stain: Use a soft-bristled brush, like a tooth or nail brush, to brush the stain in circular motions to create a soapy solution. However, if you have a specific stain like blood or ink that will bleed, only dab it with a cloth rather than scrub it!
  3. Use a fabric stain remover: If the stain doesn’t lift, follow the instructions on the packet.
  4. Rinse: Rinse with cool water to remove the suds.

Air dry: Leave to air dry away from direct sunlight and heat.

Deep clean: Can you wash a Marc Jacobs Canvas Tote Bag?

Yes, but only by hand!

If you’ve put your Marc Jacobs canvas Tote Bag through its paces, you might have more general stains from leaving it on train floors, using it while travelling or picking up water stains. These stains require submerging your Tote Bag in the sink for a deep clean. Here is how to deep-clean your Marc Jacobs bag without damaging it.

  1. Hoover and lint roll: Empty your Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag and hoover the inside and outside of your handbag using the fabric vacuum nozzle. Then, remove any extra debris or lint with a lint roller.
  2. Create your cleaning mixture: Fill a sink or clean bucket with warm water and dish soap or laundry detergent. Ensure the sink or bucket is big enough to submerge your tote bag.
  3. Wash: Submerge your Tote Bag in the soapy water.
  4. Soak: Leave your bag to soak for 15 minutes.
  5. Work any stains: Use your soft-bristled brush to scrub the problem areas.
  6. Rinse: Rise with cold water to remove the suds.
  7. Air Dry: Leave your tote bag to air dry away from direct heat and sunlight. You can also use a bag shaper, scrunched-up paper, or towels to help shape the bag as it dries to help keep its shape.

Can you dry clean a Marc Jacobs Tote Bag?

If your deep or spot cleaning has not worked, we recommend taking your Tote Bag to a professional dry cleaner. But choose your cleaner wisely. We recommend taking your bag to a specialist "handbag clinic" or a dry cleaner with experience in luxury accessories. Standard dry-cleaning chemicals can sometimes be too harsh for the screen-printed text on the bag, so always ask a specialist for their opinion first.

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How to clean a leather Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

If you have a leather Marc Jacobs Tote Bag or part of it has leather sections, you MUST NOT submerge it in water. Submerging a leather handbag can damage the leather, causing it to shrink and become brittle as it dries. Here is how to clean your leather Marc Jacobs Tote Bag without damaging it.

  1. Dry brush: Use a soft-bristled brush to remove any excess dried dirt.
  2. Spot clean: If you have a mark or stain on your leather bag, put warm, soapy water in a tub or use leather cleaner.
  3. Wipe away dirt: Use a soft cloth to remove dirt or marks.
  4. Wipe away suds: Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away soapy suds.
  5. Towel dry: Dry with a dry cloth.
  6. Air dry: Allow to air dry away from direct heat and sunlight.

Condition leather: Even if you use a little water on your leather tote bag, drying it out is still risky. Use leather conditioner to restore the leather's natural oils, then buff until it shines. Leather conditioner will also help protect the bag from water stains and rain damage.

Cleaning Specifics: Straps and Black Bags

How to clean a Marc Jacobs strap

The webbing strap on "The Tote Bag" can attract oils from your skin and dirt, and may need extra attention when cleaning your bag.

Method: Remove the strap from the bag. Soak it in a bowl of warm water with a dash of laundry detergent. Use a soft brush to scrub the length of the strap, focusing on where it sits on your shoulder or dirty areas. Rinse thoroughly and hang to air dry.

How to clean a black Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

Black canvas is notorious for showing lint, dust, and dried salt marks. Here are our top tips for cleaning this popular colour.

  • Avoid over-scrubbing: Too much friction can cause "frosting" (light patches where the dye has worn).
  • The lint roller is your friend: Often, a black bag just needs a good lint rolling rather than a wash.
  • Cold water only: If you must wash it, use cold water to preserve the deep black dye.

Fading & Prevention: Why it Happens and How to Fix it

Why is my Marc Jacobs Tote Bag fading?

It is natural for cotton canvas to fade over time with heavy use. The primary culprits are UV exposure (sunlight) and friction.

Does the Marc Jacobs Tote Bag fade?

Unfortunatly yes, particularly the darker colours like black or blue, if not properly cared for. As the bag is made from natural cotton fibres, the dye may lighten after washing or prolonged exposure to sunlight.

How to prevent your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag from fading

  • Storage: When not in use, store your bag in its dust bag inside a wardrobe. Never leave it in a sunny spot or in the car.
  • Protection: Use a fabric protector spray immediately after purchase. Using this creates a barrier against UV rays and spills.
  • Wash sparingly: Only deep-clean when necessary to prevent the dyes from running in the water.

How to restore a Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

If your bag has already faded, you can often restore it:

  • For Canvas: You can use a high-quality fabric dye in a hand-wash version to bring the colour back to life.
  • For Leather: Use a colour-matched leather cream to buff out scuffs and restore the pigment.

How to maintain your Marc Jacobs Tote Bag

  • The 6-month rule: If you want to keep your bag looking pristine, deep-clean it every six months, especially if it's white or cream-coloured. If you use it daily, consider cleaning it more regularly, for example, every three months.
  • Keep it off the floor: Avoid setting your bag on the ground to help keep it as clean as possible. Keeping this habit is the easiest way to prevent base scuffs and dirt.
  • Structure & storage: When you’re not using it, store your tote bag in a dust cover at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, to help prevent colour fading and dust damage. Black Marc Jacobs Tote Bags are particularly susceptible to fading, so take extra care when storing them. When in storage, use a small pillow or a scrunched-up bunch of paper inside the Tote Bag to help retain its shape.

Marc Jacobs Tote bags at Daniel Footwear

We hope you enjoy many years of effortless style with your Tote Bag, knowing that if you ever get a stain on it, removing it is as easy as one-two-three.

Still don’t have the iconic Marc Jacobs Tote Bag in your life, or looking for a fresh colourway to add to your handbag collection? Browse the Marc Jacobs Tote Bag collection at Daniel Footwear to find the ultimate combination of style and practicality in a range of sizes, seasonal colours and materials.

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