How to clean my cork bag

How to clean my cork bags, jewelry, or wallets

Perhaps you’re thinking that you cannot clean your cork bags, backpacks, or any other products that you can possible buy made of cork because they’re too delicate once cork comes from the bark of a cork oak tree. Maybe you are afraid that if you wash them, you will damage the material of your bag, neckless or cork bases forever.

Many still believe cork products have an obvious disadvantage compared to substitutes made of plastic or synthetics: limited duration.

Let us clarify: no such thing is true. Cork products are made by a very ecological and waterproof material, not harmful to the environment, and are able to maintain their technical characteristics for a long period of time.

It’s perfectly normal and expectable that if you are using your cork bags or cork bases on a regular basis they may show some sign of wear, like dust or stains. Cork can also get dirty, but this also happen with other kind of products, right? That doesn’t mean you need to throw them away.

So, being straight to the point: How should you clean your cork products – bags, jewelry, or wallets – without damaging it?

The cleaning process is easy and quick.

What do you need?

A Cork Cleaning Kit:

1. A bowl full of warm water – Not need to be boiling and your hands should support the heat;
2. A soft brush or cotton cloth;
3. Soap or neutral detergent, with any chemicals.

How should you clean it?

Follow these steps:

1. Spread a little neutral detergent moistened with warm water on your cork product.
2. Brush the soft brush gently, taking care not to damage the cork product.
3. When finished, wash with cold water so that dirt and all soap is removed and check the result.
4. Pass a soft towel and dry in the shade the linings and other parts made of other materials.

If necessary, repeat the entire procedure: spread the soap, brush and hot water, rinse with cold water, then let it dry in the shade.

What if the stains don’t go away? How to remove the stains?

If dirt didn’t come off with basic cleaning, you can follow some additional tricks:

1. You can try to erase scratches and blemishes with the help of a white school eraser. It works in most cases, and we only need to rub the rubber in the affected place.
2. Alternatively, you can also remove stubborn stains with cleansing towels (no chemicals) and moist wipes (no chemicals).

Do this maintenance whenever you need and repeat the steps if necessary.

If you’re experiencing any additional trouble cleaning a cork product you love, please feel free to send us a private message on our social networks: Facebook @onlinecork and Instagram @onlinecork_pt or to contact us by email.

We will be happy to help you!

Be sustainable, choose #OnlineCork, the online store of cork products made in Portugal.