Part of: Bag care and repair

Bag colour rubbing off on clothes

By the Madrasah Bag team · Updated 2026-09-24

Fixing the bag

1. Rub the bag with a dry white cloth until no more colour transfers.
2. For leather, apply a conditioner or a neutral leather finish or sealant to lock in the surface.
3. For canvas, a cold hand-wash inside out will remove loose dye. Check the label first.
4. Avoid wearing it against white clothes when it's wet, until it's stopped transferring.

Getting it out of clothes

1. Rinse the stain from the back with cold water. Hot water sets dye.
2. Apply a stain remover or a paste of oxygen bleach suitable for the fabric.
3. Wash as normal and check before drying. Tumble drying sets the stain.

Why good leather rarely does this

Well-finished full-grain leather is dyed through and sealed at the tannery, so heavy transfer is uncommon after the first few weeks.

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