how to clean and care for a raffia bag?
To clean a raffia bag, dust it with a soft brush following the direction of the fibre, dab stains with a clean, barely damp cloth (no soap, no rubbing), and never submerge it. Store it in a dry place, away from light, with tissue paper inside to keep its shape.
Raffia is a light, strong plant fibre, but it is sensitive to moisture and repeated rubbing. Like any handmade object made from a natural material, it needs gentle, regular care. Here are the steps that protect your mada social bags bag, from dusting to storage.
how to dust a raffia bag?
Use a soft cloth or a soft-bristled brush, brushing gently in the direction of the fibre. This is enough for everyday use and stops dust settling in the crochet stitches.
how to clean a stain on raffia?
- Dab the stain lightly with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
- Do not use soap or chemical products.
- Never rub hard: it can break the fibres.
Never immerse your bag in water, even briefly: raffia can lose its shape and firmness.
what to do if my raffia bag got rained on?
Blot it with a dry cloth without rubbing. Put tissue paper inside to keep its shape, then let it dry in the open air, away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
how to store a raffia bag out of season?
- Choose a dry place, away from direct light.
- Put tissue paper inside to hold its shape.
- Avoid airtight plastic bags, which block airflow.
how to care for the leather part?
Some mada models combine raffia with French leather from the Sovos tannery in the Vosges. Wipe the leather with a soft, dry cloth, and avoid resting it against a wet or sticky surface, which could damage the finish.
what to avoid
- Rain or the beach, without protection.
- Contact with abrasive or rough materials.
- Long exposure to direct sunlight, especially if the bag is dyed.
These steps prevent deformation, stubborn stains and early fading.
recap: the right step for each situation
| Situation | The right step | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Dust | Soft cloth or soft brush, along the fibre | Rubbing hard |
| Light stain | Dab with a clean, barely damp cloth | Soap, chemicals, hard rubbing |
| Wet bag | Blot with a dry cloth, air-dry with tissue paper inside | Heat sources, direct sunlight |
| Storage | Dry place, away from light, tissue paper inside | Airtight plastic bag |
| Leather part | Soft, dry cloth | Wet or sticky surface |
| Immersion | Never | Soaking the bag, even briefly |
why does a raffia bag deserve this care?
Every mada bag is crocheted by hand, without a machine, by around ten artisans in Madagascar. Caring for your bag extends their work and makes your purchase last. To learn more about how the bags are made, read the craftsmanship behind our bags, or discover all our bags.
frequently asked questions
can you wash a raffia bag with water?
No. Never immerse it, even briefly: raffia can lose its shape and firmness. For a stain, dab with a clean, barely damp cloth.
how do you remove a stain from a raffia bag?
Dab gently with a clean, slightly damp cloth, without soap or chemical products and without rubbing: hard rubbing can break the fibres.
what should I do if my raffia bag got rained on?
Blot it with a dry cloth without rubbing, then let it dry in the open air, away from heat sources and direct sunlight, with tissue paper inside to keep its shape.
how do you store a raffia bag over winter?
In a dry place, away from direct light, with tissue paper inside. Avoid airtight plastic bags, which block airflow.
how do you care for the leather part of a raffia bag?
Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and avoid resting it against a wet or sticky surface, which can damage the finish.
updated September 2026
