How to Clean & Restore a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Crossbody Bag
- The Velvet Muzzle
- Mar 18
- 6 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Welcome to The Velvet Muzzle! In today's blog post, we’re sharing our step-by-step process for how to clean & restore a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Crossbody Bag, in Black All-Weather Leather with British tan trim - one of our restored preloved vintage luxury bags.
This east-west style Dooney was a very rare thrifted find at over 30 years old that we took from preloved to reloved.
Her exterior AWL was dull and dry and her trim was scuffed and dehydrated. She definitely needed some TLC. We’re excited to show you how we brought her back to life with a detailed restoration!
Keep reading to discover how we gave this classic handbag a second chance as a reloved luxury bag.
This restoration process took several hours to complete. Watch as we speed up the entire process, bringing this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Crossbody Bag back to life!
Whether you're a Dooney & Bourke enthusiast, a lover of preloved fashion, or just interested in learning how to restore vintage bags, this post has you covered. We’ll walk you through the cleaning and restoration process that turned this thrifted Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Crossbody Bag from preloved to reloved.
The Velvet Muzzle: Restored Preloved Vintage Luxury Bags
At The Velvet Muzzle, we specialize in restored preloved vintage luxury bags, giving them a second chance. Some of the bags we restore are kept in our personal collection, while others are offered for sale on our website at www.thevelvetmuzzle.com. Every bag we choose is treated with love and care, ensuring that it’s ready for its next chapter.
This restoration project features a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Crossbody Bag, made from black All-Weather Leather with British tan trim. It’s over three decades old, and it really shows! The leather was dull and dry and her trim was scuffed and dehydrated. She definitely needed some TLC. Here’s how we gave her a second chance.
Step-by-Step Restoration: How to Clean & Restore a Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Crossbody Bag
Restoring a vintage bag requires patience, the right tools, and a gentle touch. We followed a detailed process to make sure this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Bag got the love it deserved. Here’s how we did it:
1. Vacuumed the Interior
The interior of a vintage bag can often accumulate dust, lint, and debris over time. Using a handheld cordless vacuum, we carefully cleaned the inside of the bag and the exterior slip pocket, paying special attention to the seams and corners. We also carefully vacuumed the interior zipper pocket and small slip pockets.
To learn more about the importance of using a handheld vacuum for your vintage and luxury bags, check out our article on Why Using a Handheld Cordless Vacuum is Essential for Cleaning Preloved Vintage and Luxury Bags.
2. Cleaned the Exterior
Because this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Bag is made with All-Weather Leather (AWL) and accented with British tan leather trim, we used WaterWipes to gently clean the exterior of the bag and the interior leather pieces. This step helped remove surface dirt and grime without being too harsh on the leather or the brass hardware. The goal was to clean the bag while preserving its original vintage look and feel.
To learn more about why we choose to use WaterWipes as a first step in cleaning our preloved vintage and luxury leather bags, check out our article on How WaterWipes Help Us Give Preloved Vintage Luxury Bags a Fresh Start.
3. Cleaned the Suede Interior
One of the things we love about Vintage Dooney & Bourke bags is their natural suede interiors. The only downside? They can get quite dirty, and without proper care, that dirt can become stubborn. This 30+ year-old Equestrian bag was no exception.
To restore the suede, we used a suede brush to gently lift dirt and debris while separating the fibers. Then, we followed up with a clean microfiber towel to brush off the loose particles. Not only did this remove dirt and brighten up the black suede interior, but it also restored the soft texture, giving the interior a refreshed look without causing any damage.
4. Cleaned and Polished the Brass Hardware
Over time, brass hardware can lose its shine and develop tarnish. In the case of this vintage Equestrian bag, the hardware had accumulated significant tarnish, reflecting its 30+ years of well-loved use. We reached for our go-to brass cleaner, Brasso Brass Cleaner, and used cotton swabs along with a clean microfiber towel to carefully remove the tarnish and restore the hardware’s original shine. When cleaning brass, it’s important to be gentle—apply the cleaner in small amounts, reapplying as needed, to carefully lift and eliminate the built-up tarnish.
To learn more about the importance of choosing the right brass cleaner and polish for the hardware on your vintage and luxury leather bags, check out our article on How Brasso Metal Polish Helps Us Restore Brass Hardware on Preloved Vintage and Luxury Bags.
5. Cleaned & Conditioned the Leather Trim and the All-Weather Leather
The British tan leather trim, crossbody strap, detailing, interior leather, and duck FOB leather strap all needed cleaning and reconditioning. We used Apple Leather Conditioner, applying it with a microfiber towel on larger areas and cotton swabs on smaller sections to both clean and nourish the leather. Leather conditioners are essential for preventing cracking and maintaining suppleness, especially on vintage bags.
To learn more about the importance of choosing the right leather cleaner and conditioner for your vintage and luxury leather bags, check out our article on How Apple Leather Conditioner Helps Us Give Preloved Vintage Leather Luxury Bags a Second Chance.
6. Buffed Out the Bag
Once everything was cleaned, conditioned, and polished, we used a clean microfiber towel to buff out the entire bag. This final step really brought the look and feel of all the leather and brass back to life.
7. Touched Up the Scuff Marks
After cleaning and conditioning the British tan trim, we noticed some scuffed areas that needed a little extra attention. To fix them, we used our go-to leather polish—Kiwi Polish Paste—and gently ran it over the scuff marks to recolor them. This helped those areas blend in better with the rest of the trim and also added some nourishment to keep the leather looking its best.
8. Reshaped and Stuffed the Bag
Once the cleaning and conditioning were done, we reassembled the bag, rehung the adorable duck FOB and stuffed the bag with white tissue paper. As we stuffed the bag, we reshaped it, returning it to the proper shape. Keeping your vintage bags stuffed when not in use is crucial to ensuring the bag retains its original structure and functionality, especially after years of use.
If you'd like to see how we applied these steps, check out the video below for the full transformation!
Tools and Products Used in the Restoration
We want to make sure that you can easily follow the same process if you're restoring a bag of your own.
Here are the products and tools we used to restore this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Crossbody Bag:
Handheld Cordless Vacuum: https://amzn.to/4j3cDXW
WaterWipes: https://amzn.to/4gLgCXt
Suede Brush: https://amzn.to/4fHj2Fd
Brasso Brass Cleaner: https://amzn.to/4gKx7TS
Apple Leather Conditioner: https://amzn.to/403bZ3T
Kiwi Polish Paste: https://amzn.to/4bcQra6
Microfiber Towels: https://amzn.to/4a5dl2F
Cotton Swabs: https://amzn.to/3BJg8lD
Cotton Rounds: https://amzn.to/4ggfkTi
White Tissue Paper: https://amzn.to/40mH83C
These are the same products and tools we use for our restored preloved vintage luxury bags, and they’re all available on Amazon through the links above. We receive a small commission if you decide to purchase through these affiliate links, but it doesn’t cost you any extra. Thank you for your support!
Why Restore a Vintage Bag?
Restoring a vintage bag like this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Crossbody Bag is not just about cleaning—it’s about preserving a piece of history. These bags were crafted to last, and with a little care, they can continue to be enjoyed for many years to come.
When you restore a bag, you’re giving it a second life and keeping it out of a landfill. It’s a more sustainable option than buying new, and you’re also able to own a unique, possibly one-of-a-kind item. Plus, vintage bags often have better craftsmanship than newer bags, making them a true treasure to own.
At The Velvet Muzzle, we believe in giving preloved vintage and luxury bags a second chance, and we hope this restoration inspires you to start your own bag care journey!
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed following along with the transformation of this Vintage Dooney & Bourke Equestrian Crossbody Bag. It was so rewarding to bring her back to life. You can find this beauty available for purchase in the Shop on our website.
If you're into vintage bag restorations or hunting for other preloved luxury treasures, be sure to check out our website for more!
Join The Velvet Muzzle Community
If you love restored preloved vintage luxury bags, designer bag restorations and thrifted fashion, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on social media @thevelvetmuzzle for more vintage and luxury bag transformations and restoration tips. We post new content regularly, and you won’t want to miss any of our upcoming projects! If you're looking for preloved vintage and luxury bags, be sure to visit the Shop on our website. We're constantly updating our collection with unique finds!