How do I clean a purse or tote?

Kipling says: Wipe down the inside and outside of your bag using mild soap, warm water, and sponge. Vera Bradley says: To ensure you are using the correct cleaning method for your specific bag, please check the care instructions included with your bag.

Cat Peed on a Backpack or Bag: How to Clean It

Q: What should I do first when my cat pees on my bag?

The Cornell Feline Health Center says: Cleaning is most effective when it's done soon after an item was soiled, and odors must be neutralized, not just deodorized, to escape a cat's keen sense of smell. For wet urine on carpet, the Carpet and Rug Institute says: Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels.

Q: Can I put my backpack in the washing machine?

Check your bag's care label. JanSport says: Our backpacks are hand wash only. Samsonite says: No, it is not recommended to put your backpack or other travel bags in the washing machine, as this can damage the materials, coatings, and overall performance of the fabric.

Q: Can I wash a leather bag?

Leather UK says: Although some leather is 'washable' it is not advisable to put your leather in the washing machine without contacting a specialist for advice.

Q: Why did my cat pee on my bag?

International Cat Care says: Common sites for urine spraying inside the home include soft furnishing (sofas, curtains etc) on doors or windows, in hallways, on electrical items and sometimes on items brought into the home, such as shoes or bags.

This guide covers what to do when a cat or dog pees on a backpack, gym bag, purse, tote or suitcase: blotting it up, checking the care label, cleaning by bag type as the bag makers describe it, and why cats pick bags, quoted from JanSport, Kipling, Vera Bradley, Samsonite, Leather UK and cat welfare sources.

First: act fast and blot

The Cornell Feline Health Center says: "Cleaning is most effective when it's done soon after an item was soiled, and odors must be neutralized, not just deodorized, to escape a cat's keen sense of smell." It adds: "Cats will re-soil and spray areas they have marked with their scent, so cleaning cat-soiled items is crucial for breaking the cycle of elimination."

The Carpet and Rug Institute's advice for wet urine is written for carpet, not bags: "Act Quickly! Delaying may cause the spill to become a permanent stain. Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels."

None of the bag makers' pages we checked mention urine or pets. The bag steps below are their general cleaning advice. Kipling's first step is: "Remove everything from your bag. Don't forget to check all the pockets!" If clothes inside got wet, see our guide to getting pet pee smell out of clothes, bedding and towels.

Sources: Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling; Carpet and Rug Institute, Spot Solver: Urine, Wet; Kipling, How to Clean Your Kipling.

Check the care label first

Vera Bradley says: "Please note that not all of our Premium Cotton bags are suitable for machine washing. Due to the construction and hardware of some styles, spot cleaning may be necessary. To ensure you are using the correct cleaning method for your specific bag, please check the care instructions included with your bag."

Source: Vera Bradley, How to Clean Your Handbag.

Backpacks and travel bags

JanSport's FAQ says: "Our backpacks are hand wash only. You can spot clean with a damp cloth or hand wash and then air or line dry. Please do not use detergent or bleach." A JanSport blog post on cleaning adds: "JanSport's instructions say to use cool water with a soft, damp cloth."

Samsonite says: "No, it is not recommended to put your backpack or other travel bags in the washing machine, as this can damage the materials, coatings, and overall performance of the fabric." It goes on: "Dirt can be carefully removed with a soft cloth and lukewarm water", and "After cleaning, let the backpack air dry completely before storing or using it again."

Sources: JanSport, FAQ; JanSport blog post on backpack cleaning; Samsonite UK, Product Care FAQs.

Padded straps and foam back panels

No source we checked covers urine that has soaked into padded straps, foam back panels or other padding. If the smell returns after cleaning, see pet urine smell came back after cleaning.

Purses, handbags and totes

Kipling's steps are: "You'll need warm water, a sponge or towel, and mild soap." Then "Wipe down the inside and outside of your bag using mild soap, warm water, and sponge."

For its Premium Cotton bags, Vera Bradley says to "machine wash cold on gentle cycle with a gentle detergent", with the caveat above that not all of them are suitable. Its Performance Twill bags "cannot be machine washed"; for those it says: "Gently clean the affected areas using a mild detergent and a soft, damp cloth to avoid damaging the material." Then: "After spot cleaning, be sure to rinse the affected areas thoroughly to remove any detergent residue."

Sources: Kipling, How to Clean Your Kipling; Vera Bradley, How to Clean Your Handbag.

Suitcases

For the outside, Samsonite says: "Make sure the cloth is only slightly damp so water does not get inside your case, and avoid cleaners that contain alcohol, as these may damage the shell."

For a removable lining it says: "Machine wash the interior lining at a maximum of 30°. Use a delicate or handwash program and do not tumble dry." For a fixed interior: "Wipe the interior with a soft cloth and warm water with a little mild soap. Avoid scrubbing too hard to prevent discolouration."

If the cat's own carrier was also soiled, see pet urine in a pet carrier.

Source: Samsonite UK, Product Care FAQs.

Leather bags

Leather UK says: "Always identify the type of leather you have before attempting any cleaning etc." And: "Although some leather is 'washable' it is not advisable to put your leather in the washing machine without contacting a specialist for advice." It also says: "Some types of leather (Nubuck and Suede in particular) will always require specialist cleaning services if there is a major problem."

For its leather bags, Vera Bradley says: "Use a soft, white, damp cloth to avoid transferring any dyes or leaving any residue on the leather." For leather furniture, see how to get pet urine out of a leather couch.

Sources: Leather UK, Leather care; Vera Bradley, How to Clean Your Handbag.

Drying

Kipling says: "Leave your bag to air out in a dry space. Make sure the zippers are open!" The JanSport blog post says of drying: "Again, no laundry machines should be used for this part." Samsonite says: "Let your luggage air dry completely before storing it in a cool, dry place."

Sources: Kipling, How to Clean Your Kipling; JanSport blog post on backpack cleaning; Samsonite UK, Product Care FAQs.

Cleaners to avoid

Cornell says: "Avoid cleaning products containing ammonia or vinegar as they smell like urine and can be irritating." The ASPCA says: "Do not clean up accidents with an ammonia-based cleanser. Urine contains ammonia, so cleaning with ammonia can attract your cat that same spot to urinate again."

Sources: Cornell Feline Health Center, House Soiling; ASPCA, Urine Marking in Cats.

Why cats pee on bags

International Cat Care says: "Common sites for urine spraying inside the home include soft furnishing (sofas, curtains etc) on doors or windows, in hallways, on electrical items and sometimes on items brought into the home, such as shoes or bags." It explains: "Cats use urine as a chemical signal (made up of odours and pheromones) or 'mark' for themselves and to communicate to other cats."

The ASPCA lists triggers for marking that include "even buying a new coat or bringing home groceries in an unusually large paper bag." It says cats "might do it to preempt a problem by leaving a message that this place is theirs, or they might do it to comfort themselves with their own familiar scent."

For shoes, see cat peed in my shoes; for repeat spots, see why dogs and cats keep peeing in the same spot.

Sources: International Cat Care, Soiling indoors; ASPCA, Urine Marking in Cats.

Keep bags out of reach

Humane World for Animals says: "Keep objects that could cause urine-marking behaviors, such as guests' belongings and new purchases, out of reach." No source we checked gives bag storage advice beyond this.

Source: Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet.

Check the litter tray

Cats Protection says: "Provide one litter tray per cat, plus an extra one." Humane World for Animals says: "If your pet is having regular accidents, have them checked by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes."

See our guide to a cat peeing or pooping outside the litter box, and Pet Cleanup Kit's cat urine smell guide.

Sources: Cats Protection, Toileting; Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet.

Accident on the carpet or couch too?

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." It is not described for bags or backpacks; for those, follow the bag maker's care steps above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.