Handbags, Purses, Wallets & Backpacks

No True Quality Cleaner in your area? Don't live in the metro Phoenix area?

We ship throughout North America (USA & Canada), Western Europe (from Andorra to United Kingdom), Gulf States (from Bahrain to United Arab Emirates), Far East (from Hong Kong to Taiwan) and Australasia (Australia & New Zealand).

With our Nationwide Clean By Mail service (USA & Canada) and Worldwide Clean By Mail service (all other countries), we’re as close as your front door.

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Trusted by handbag salons

RAVE FabriCARE is trusted by numerous upscale department stores and boutiques in the metro Phoenix area to care for

• store inventory that has become soiled in some manner, and
• customer owned goods that clients return to these stores for cleaning, conditioning, refinishing and/or repair.

What we do

At RAVE FabriCARE, our cleaning, conditioning and refinishing procedures could include a combination of two or more of the following:

• Neutralizing noticeable odors (smoke, mustiness, fragrance, pet, etc.)
• Removing specific stains. (Please note that we do not offer “spot cleaning” of handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks)
• Hand cleaning the outer surface
• Hand cleaning the interior lining
• Disinfecting the interior lining with a virucide (kills bacterial and viral pathogens)
• Hand cleaning the straps and handles
• Hand cleaning the metal hardware (Please note that we do not offer re-plating for plating that’s peeling off metal hardware)
• Conditioning/hydrating/rejuvenating the exterior leather and/or suede (maintains the long term suppleness of the skin)
• Refinishing or repainting the outer surface (the existing color or a new color)
• Reshaping the slouching, folded and creased corners, bottoms and sides
• Applying a RAVEshield water and stain repellant (Please note that we do not apply stain and water repellants to unfinished cowhide/vachetta, patent leather, vinyl, PVC coated canvas and various other plastics)
• Packaging in a custom made, breathable, polypropylene dust cover.

What results can be achieved?

It’s important to understand that when it comes to cleaning, conditioning and refinishing a handbag, purse, wallet or backpack, perfection is typically unachievable.

The real question is this:

If perfection – defined as perfect, showroom-new condition – is unachievable, what results can be expected?

Our answer to that question is this:

The best technologically achievable condition, given the the nature and combination of the skins and materials used (leather, exotic leather, suede, patent leather, vinyl, PVC coated canvas, cotton/denim, linen/canvas, nylon, silk, etc.), the colors, the dyes, paints and finishes, the nature and frequency of usage, the conditions of storage, and the like.

No specialist cleaner of accessories can guarantee that every stain and scratch can be removed or that the handbag, purse, wallet or backpack can be restored to perfect, showroom-new condition.

What we can say is this:

RAVE FabriCARE has the in-house techniques, skills, equipment and experience necessary to restore your favorite handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks to the best technologically achievable condition.

No low to moderate cost “subcontractor quality”

The cleaning, conditioning, refinishing and repair of fine handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks is a highly specialized service.

Very few dry cleaners in the USA and Canada have the in-house techniques, skills, equipment and experience necessary to service high-end handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks.

But that doesn’t stop the overwhelming majority of dry cleaners in the USA and Canada from claiming that they “service” these high-end accessories.

Do these dry cleaners have the in-house techniques, skills, equipment and experience necessary to service high-end handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks themselves?

The answer is NO.

And that’s because there are no in-house technicians.

Instead, your accessories are sent to some unknown, out of state, third party subcontractor who “processes” these accessories on a wholesale basis.

Now here’s the rub…

Because these third party subcontractors have no client relationship with you, they couldn’t care less whether their work meets even the most minimal of quality standards.

Once these third party subcontractors return the accessory to your dry cleaner, they’ve effectively delegated their responsibility for your accessory to your dry cleaner.

Your dry cleaner, in turn, hasn’t got a clue how to assess the quality of the work performed by the subcontractor because they have never, ever cleaned, conditioned, refinished and/or repaired a handbag, purse, wallet or backpack themselves.

Given this lack of knowledge, how will they be able to answer any questions you might have – either before or after the service?

No low to moderate cost “shoe repair shop quality”

The cleaning, conditioning, refinishing and repair of fine handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks is a highly specialized service.

Very few shoe repair shops in the USA and Canada have the in-house techniques, skills, equipment and experience necessary to service high-end handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks.

But that doesn’t stop the overwhelming majority of shoe repair shops in the USA and Canada from claiming that they “service” these high-end accessories.

Their rationale for offering this service is that cleaning, conditioning, refinishing and/or repairing fine handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks is no different than repairing and polishing a pair of shoes.

That rationale is false.

The cleaning, conditioning, refinishing and repair of fine handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks is vastly different than repairing and polishing a pair of shoes.

At RAVE FabriCARE, we’re exposed to the work produced by shoe repair shops on an almost daily basis:

• Accessories “cleaned” with boot polish

• Accessories “painted” with home improvement store paint to hide unsightly stains

• Accessories scuffed, scratched and abraded by a shoe buffering/polishing machine

• Accessories “repaired” with thread that doesn’t match the color or gauge (aka thickness) of the thread used elsewhere on the accessory

• Accessories “repaired” with stitching that’s anything but a straight line

• Accessories “repaired” with hardware (zipper pulls, buckles, snaps, rivets, eyelets, magnetic snaps, straps, etc.) that does not match the hardware used elsewhere on the accessory

• Accessories “repaired” with skins that do not match the grain or color of the skin(s) used elsewhere on the accessory.

The list is endless.

To view this slide show on a full screen, hit the X button with the arrow tips.

Our service packages

Every handbag, purse, wallet or backpack typically involves a unique combination of issues.

So we generally recommend that clients tailor the services they desire to the specific issues associated with each handbag, purse, wallet or backpack.

On the other hand, some clients – particularly returning clients who have used our services on multiple occasions – might have a pretty clear idea as to the services they desire.

To make it easier for both new and returning clients to select the services required, we offer 4 generic service packages:

The Bronze Package

• Neutralize noticeable odors (smoke, mustiness, fragrance, etc.)

• Hand clean the interior lining

• Disinfect the interior lining with virucide (kills bacterial and viral pathogens)

• Hand clean the outer surface

• Condition/hydrate/rejuvenate the exterior leather and/or suede (maintains the long term suppleness of the skin)

• Reshape the slouching, folded and creased corners, bottoms and sides

• Apply a RAVEshield water and stain repellant (not available for unfinished cowhide/vachetta, patent leather, vinyl, PVC coated canvas and various other plastics)

• Package in a custom made, breathable, polypropylene dust cover.

To view this slide show on a full screen, hit the X button with the arrow tips.

The Silver Package

• Neutralize noticeable odors (smoke, mustiness, fragrance, etc.)

• Hand clean the interior lining

• Disinfect the interior lining with virucide (kills bacterial and viral pathogens)

• Hand clean the outer surface

• Condition/hydrate/rejuvenate the exterior leather and/or suede (maintains the long term suppleness of the skin)

• Color touchup minor/small scuffing, scratches, scuffing and abrasions as well as non-removable stains

• Reshape the slouching, folded and creased corners, bottoms and sides

• Apply a RAVEshield water and stain repellant (not available for unfinished cowhide/vachetta, patent leather, vinyl, PVC coated canvas and various other plastics)

• Package in a custom made, breathable, polypropylene dust cover.

The Gold Package

• Neutralize noticeable odors (smoke, mustiness, fragrance, etc.)

• Hand clean the interior lining

• Disinfect the interior lining with virucide (kills bacterial and viral pathogens)

• Hand clean the outer surface

• Condition/hydrate/rejuvenate the exterior leather and/or suede (maintains the long term suppleness of the skin)

• Refinish leather and/or suede to the original color (using unexposed area to determine original color).

  In this regard, decisions that need to be made include:

  Does the original color exactly match one of our 70 plus standard colors? If not, is color mixing required to achieve a closer match?

  Will the color contrast on leather edging be retained or be covered?

• Reshape the slouching, folded and creased corners, bottoms and sides

• Apply a RAVEshield water and stain repellant (not available for unfinished cowhide/vachetta, patent leather, vinyl, PVC coated acnvas and various other plastics)

• Package in a custom made, breathable, polypropylene dust cover.

To view this slide show on a full screen, hit the X button with the arrow tips.

To view this slide show on a full screen, hit the X button with the arrow tips.

The Platinum Package

• Neutralize noticeable odors (smoke, mustiness, fragrance, etc.)

• Hand clean the interior lining

• Disinfect the interior lining with virucide (kills bacterial and viral pathogens)

• Hand clean the outer surface

• Condition/hydrate/rejuvenate the exterior leather and/or suede (maintains the long term suppleness of the skin)

• Refinish leather and/or suede to a completely new color (in most cases, a darker color)

  In this regard, decisions that need to be made include:

  Is the new color in our inventory of 70 plus standard colors?

  If not, can the client provide a color swatch (from a paint or fabric store) of the new color?

  Will the color contrast on leather edging be retained or be covered?

  Will the color of existing lining clash with the new color and require changing?

  If the color of the lining will be changed, what fabric (linen, canvas, nylon, polyester, silk and ultrasuede) will be used?
  Please note: when it comes to changing the lining of a handbag, purse, wallet or backpack, we do not recommend suede linings.

  Will the color of the exiting zipper(s) clash with the new color and require changing?
  Please note: when it comes to changing the color of a handbag, purse, wallet or backpack, we have many more options for leather than suede.

• Reshape the slouching, folded and creased corners, bottoms and sides

• Apply a RAVEshield water and stain repellant (not available for unfinished cowhide/vachetta, patent leather, vinyl, PVC coated canvas and various other plastics)

• Package in a custom made, breathable, polypropylene dust cover.

To view this slide show on a full screen, hit the X button with the arrow tips.

Pricing

The cleaning, conditioning and refinishing of fine designer handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks is a highly specialized, skilled and labor intensive service. 

For a sense of our average prices for cleaning, conditioning and refinishing fine designer handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks, please review our Sample Price List.

Our prices are influenced by a number of variables such as:

• The nature and combination of skins and materials used

• The nature and combination of trims used (rhinestones, beads, ribbons, bows, appliques, etc.)

• The physical size (small – up to 10 inches, medium – 10 to 19 inches, large – 20 to 29 inches, oversize – 30 inches or more, where the size is measured diagonally from the top left corner to the bottom right corner)

• The primary and contrasting colors

• The nature and extent of the soiling and stains

• The nature and extent of the scuffing, scratches and abrasions

• The nature and extent of any other damage

• The degree of skills and the extent of the labor time required to return the accessory to the best technologically achievable condition.

To view this slide show on a full screen, hit the X button with the arrow tips.

Turnaround time

Our typical turnaround time for handbags, purses, wallets or backpacks is 4 to 8 weeks.

Some take more time; some take less time.

Terms and conditions

Whenever we receive a handbag, purse, wallet and/or backpack from a client, we always ask the client to verbally acknowledge our terms and conditions of service.

On occasion, we might ask a client to formally acknowledge those terms and conditions of service by signing a copy of those terms and conditions.

For your information, our terms and conditions are as follows:

• Client recognizes that many manufacturers of handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks (“accessories”) never intended that their accessories ever be cleaned and/or restored.

• Client recognizes that many manufacturers refuse to accept these accessories for cleaning and/or restoration and, when they do, they often, subsequently reject the accessory as “not cleanable” and/or “not restorable”.

• Over the course of many years, RAVE FabriCARE has developed techniques to hand clean, restore an/or repair these accessories so as to extend their useful life.

• Factors such as age, wear and tear, stains and soiling, scuffing, scratching and abrasions, rips and tears, color, stability of paints, dyes and pigments, type of finishes, composition (such as leather, exotic leather, suede, patent leather, vinyl, PVC coated canvas, cotton/denim, linen/canvas, nylon, silk and any combination thereof), nature and frequency of usage, and conditions of storage will affect the degree to which an accessory can be cleaned, restored and/or repaired.

• Absolute perfection – defined as the condition one would expect to find on a brand new, identical accessory on display in a designer’s showroom – is very difficult if not impossible to attain.

• RAVE FabriCARE agrees to clean, restore and/or repair the accessory in accordance with our quality standards, and, in the process of so doing, to deliver the best technologically achievable result.

• RAVE FabriCARE’s charges are based on the designer of the accessory, physical size, primary composition, presence of secondary trims of contrasting materials, color, stability of paints, dyes and pigments, type of finish, extent of wear and tear, extent of stains and soiling, extent of scuffing, scratching and abrasions, extent of rips or tears, labor hours invested, technical skills applied, cost of supplies, etc. needed to complete the work.

• In order to achieve the best technologically achievable result, every accessory is cleaned and/or restored by hand. Hand cleaning and/or restoration is time consuming. While RAVE FabriCARE will strive to meet a tight deadline, we will not be liable in any way for failure to meet such a deadline.

• No refunds, credits and/or price adjustments will be provided for the cleaning, restoration and/or repair of any accessory in any circumstance where RAVE FabriCARE has, in it’s sole opinion, determined that the best technologically achievable result has been achieved.

• RAVE FabriCARE will not be responsible for any accessory left unclaimed after a period of 90 days from the date of the completion of the work. For this purpose, the completion date of the work is defined as the date upon which the client is notified by email, telephone or other client-designated means that the accessory is available for pick up. Client understands that RAVE FabriCARE may, at it’s sole discretion, dispose of any unclaimed items in any manner whatsoever after the 90 day period has expired.

• Any item shipped by RAVE FabriCARE to anywhere in the USA or Canada must be insured for a minimum of $500 (UPS and USPO provide a $100 insurance at no additional cost to you) and requires an adult signature upon delivery. Client may, at their discretion, specify a higher insurance value and/or waive the requirement for an adult signature upon delivery. Any change to these insurance and signature requirements must be authorized by the client in writing.

• Client agrees that the information provided in this section of our website constitutes the sum total of all representations made by RAVE FabriCARE to the client.

Water and fire contaminated accessories

RAVE FabriCARE is Arizona’s leader in the restoration of fine garments, household textiles and accessories for high value homeowners with a residence that has been contaminated by fire, smoke, soot, water, mold, mildew and/or humidity.

It’s a reputation that’s been built over a period of almost 30 years.

If any of your accessories (handbags, purses, wallets, backpacks, shoes and boots) have been contaminated by fire, smoke, soot, water, mold, mildew and/or humidity as a result of a flood or fire, we invite you to visit the Water and Fire Contaminated Garments, Household Textiles and Accessories section of our website.

Then contact us.

To view this slide show on a full screen, hit the X button with the arrow tips.

Contact us

Do you have a fine handbag, purse, wallet and/or backpack that requires cleaning, conditioning, refinishing and/or repair?

To contact us for a free evaluation and price estimate, please click here.

When you do contact us, please make sure to

• provide a clear description of the issues involved, and

• upload some photos of your accessory that illustrates those issues.

Without a clear description of the issues involved and without any accompanying photos, it’s almost impossible to respond to your inquiries. Examples of such inquiries include “My Louis Vuitton needs cleaning. How much do you charge?” and “I have an 8 year old Gucci handbag. Can you give me an approximate cost for cleaning”

Summary

A regular cleaning regimen and/or one-time restoration for your favorite handbags, purses, wallets and backpacks can extend their useful lives indefinitely.

So don’t think retirement.

Think restoration by the in-house specialists at RAVE FabriCARE.