My husband likes to play pranks on us and trust me, they are usually not funny. So I once accused him of bringing home a dead fish and hiding it in our closet. That’s how bad my faux leather bag smelled. I did some research and found out that there are a few reasons why this happens.
- Cheap Faux Leather Bags
- The Synthetic Dyes Used
- The Manufacturing Process
- Faux Leather Bags and Heat
- Faux Leather Bags and Moisture
- Storing Your Faux Leather Bag
- Cleaning Your Faux Leather Bag
If you’re like me and love faux leather bags, but can’t stand the smell, then keep reading. I’m going to share with you some tips on how to get rid of the fishy smell.
1. Cheap Faux Leather Bags
The first reason why your faux leather bag may smell like fish is that it’s made of cheap materials. So if you purchase faux leather bags from cheap knock-off brands, then it’s likely that the smell is coming from the materials used.
Usually, this type of smell will come with faux leather bags even when the bag is new. And in most cases, you might not be able to completely remove the fish odor at a go.
The good news is that the smell may eventually fade over time. But if you can’t stand the smell, there are a few ways I will show you that can help to reduce the smell.
2. The Synthetic Dyes Used
Another reason your faux leather bag may smell like fish is because of the synthetic dyes used during the manufacturing process. These synthetic dyes are made up of chemicals that can cause a strong smell.
The good news is that this type of smell is usually not permanent and will also fade over time. This also means that the fish smell will be much stronger when the faux leather bag, jacket, or shoes will be much stronger in the early days after you’ve purchased them.
If you can’t stand the smell of your faux leather bag, then try airing it out in a well-ventilated area. You can also try wiping down the surface with a damp cloth to help remove any lingering smells. More on this later.
3. The Manufacturing Process
The third possible reason why your faux leather bag smells like fish is because of the manufacturing process. In most cases, the smell is caused by the chemicals used during the tanning process.
I know you might be thinking, “but faux leather is not tanned?” Yes, you’re right! But there are certain faux leather or vegan materials that are made from scraps of genuine leather.
During the tanning process of genuine leather, there are a lot of chemicals used. These chemicals can cause a strong smell that can transfer over to the final faux leather materials.
This will however depend on the tanning method used for the genuine leather. In some cases, the fishy smell will not be as strong or noticeable.
If your faux leather bag smells like fish because of the manufacturing process, then there’s not much you can do to remove the smell. But the smell can eventually fade over time with regular use.
4. Faux Leather Bags and Heat
Another thing I found out is that heat can also make your faux leather bag smell. If you live in a hot climate or if it’s summertime, the heat can cause the chemicals in the faux leather to break down and produce that fishy smell.
This can be caused by poor storage as well. If you store your faux leather bag in a hot, humid place, it can cause the chemicals to break down and produce that fishy smell.
So if you live in a hot climate or it’s summertime, be sure to store your faux leather bag in a cool, dry place. And if you notice that your faux leather bag is starting to smell, be sure to take it out of the heat and into a cool, dry place.
5. Faux Leather Bags and Moisture
Another thing that can cause your faux leather bag to smell like fish is moisture. If your faux leather bag gets wet, it can cause the chemicals in the material to break down and produce that fishy smell.
Like I mentioned before if you live in a humid climate or it rains often where you live, be sure to store your faux leather bag in a dry place.
If your faux leather bag does get wet, be sure to dry it off as soon as possible with a clean cloth and make sure to air-dry it.
You can also try using a waterproofing spray on your faux leather bag to help protect it from moisture.
6. Storing Your Faux Leather Bag
When it comes to storing your faux leather bag, you want to make sure you store it in a cool, dry place. Also, you want to be mindful of how you store your faux leather items as well.
For example, if you store your faux leather bag next to items that have strong smells such as perfumes or cigarettes, the smell can transfer to your faux leather bag.
So be sure to store your faux leather bag in a separate area from any other smelly items. Another tip is to stuff your faux leather bag with tissue paper to help absorb any moisture or smells.
7. Cleaning Your Faux Leather Bag
Because faux leather as a material is not breathable, it is important to clean your faux leather bag on a regular basis. We often carry our bags and in most instances, it comes into contact with sweats, dirt, and grime.
To clean your faux leather bag, you can use a damp cloth to wipe down the outside of the bag. You can also use a mild soap and water solution to clean the inside and outside of your faux leather bag.
Be sure to avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners on your faux leather bag as this can damage the material.
If you notice any stains on your faux leather bag, you can try using a leather cleaner or saddle soap to remove the stain.
Once you have cleaned your faux leather bag, be sure to dry it off completely before storing it. By following these tips, you can help extend the life of your faux leather bag and keep it smelling fresh.
How To Remove Fish Smell From Faux Leather Bags
Although it is not foolproof, there are a few things you can do to try and remove the fish smell from your faux leather bag.
- Leaving The Faux Leather Bag Outside
One of the easiest ways to remove the fish smell from your faux leather bag is to leave it outside in the fresh air. This will usually work if the fish smell on the faux leather bag was caused by improper storage and moisture.
If you can, try to leave it in direct sunlight as this will help speed up the process. You can also try using a fan to help circulate the air around your faux leather bag.
- Cleaning Your Faux Leather Bag With Dish Soap
The dish soap method is one of the most popular methods for removing the fish smell from faux leather bags.
To use this method, simply mix a few drops of dish soap with water in a bowl. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and wipe down your faux leather bag.
Be sure to rinse the dish soap off your faux leather bag with clean water and let it dry completely before storing it.
- Using Baking Soda
Another way you can try to remove the fish smell from your faux leather bag is by using baking soda. Baking soda is a natural odor absorber and can help to remove the fishy smell from your faux leather bag.
To use this method, simply sprinkle some baking soda inside your faux leather bag and let it sit overnight. Once the time is up, be sure to vacuum out the baking soda.
You can also try sprinkling baking soda on the outside of your faux leather bag and letting it sit in the sun for a few hours.
Lastly, you can also pour some baking soda into an airtight bag and secure the faux leather bag inside it. Leave it tightly sealed for about 12 hours before opening it up and letting the bag air out.
- Using Vinegar
Vinegar is another natural odor absorber that can be used to remove the fish smell from your faux leather bag. Vinegar contains acetic acid which helps to neutralize odors.
To use this method, simply mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a bowl. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and wipe down the inside (provided it’s also made of faux leather) and outside of your faux leather bag.
Let the vinegar solution dry on your faux leather bag before storing it. You can also try spraying the vinegar solution on the outside of your faux leather bag and letting it sit in the sun for a few hours.
Once you have tried one or all of these methods, be sure to store your faux leather bag in a cool, dry place until you are ready to use it again.
- Using Lemon Juice
I remember seeing this method and thought if it works on actual fish, then it should work on the fish smell coming from my faux leather bag.
To use this method, simply mix equal parts of water and lemon juice in a bowl. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and wipe down your faux leather bag.
Do not let the lemon juice solution dry on your faux leather bag before wiping it off with a damp cloth.
- Putting The Faux Leather Bag In The Freezer
One method I tried that resulted in mixed reviews was to put the faux leather bag in the freezer overnight.
People have said that this method worked for them, while others said the result was only temporal. If you decide to try this method, be sure to wrap your faux leather bag in a plastic bag first.
Final Words
There you have it, seven things that cause faux leather bags to smell like fish, and six simple methods that you can try to remove the fish smell from your faux leather bag.
Hopefully, one of these methods will work for you. Let me know in the comments below which method worked for you. As always, thanks for reading! until next time…
XOXO,
Your Friendly Neighborhood Blogger :)”