It was just a small moment.
A lunch bag. Some yogurt. A second of distraction.
Months later, a friend showed me the inside of his bag — a pale, dried stain. "I didn't dare to clean it," he said. He was afraid of ruining the material.
What happened next was surprisingly simple: water, a soft cloth, a few minutes. And the bag looked like new again.
That's exactly the point: plant-based materials like Viridis® and Washpapa® aren't delicate — they're built for everyday life. You just need to know how.
Why the Cleaning Method Depends on the Material
"Vegan leather" is not a single material — it's a broad term covering very different solutions. At Plant Inside, we work with two materials that differ both in surface texture and in how they're best cared for:
- Viridis® — a bio-based material from Europe, made from up to 69% plant-derived raw materials from corn and wheat. Available in two finishes: Matt and Nubuck. Full material breakdown in the article What Is Viridis® – plant-based leather from corn and wheat.
- Washpapa® — a coated kraft paper from Germany, reinforced with synthetic latex. Water-resistant, tear-resistant and — what surprises most people — washable under running water. Everything about this material in the article What Is Washpapa®.
The golden rule: clean based on the material, not based on the stain type. Once you know your material, the rest is straightforward.
Cleaning Viridis® Matt
Surface Characteristics
The matt finish of Viridis® is smooth, structured and robust. It doesn't pick up everyday dirt easily — and releases it just as easily. Available in Black Matt, Brown Matt, Bordeaux Matt and Navy Blue Matt.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dampen a soft cotton cloth with lukewarm water.
- Add a small amount of grey soap (soft soap) to the cloth.
- Work gently over the affected area in circular motions — no scrubbing.
- Leave to dry for approximately 15 minutes.
The key moment happens during drying: the damp marks disappear completely — the surface returns to its original appearance. No residue, no discolouration.
What Works for Stubborn Stains
Everyday marks like ballpoint pen, denim transfer or general grime respond to the damp cloth method on the first attempt in almost every case. For more stubborn stains: repeat once. No aggressive cleaners or abrasive sponges — they're not just unnecessary, they can permanently roughen the surface.
Cleaning Viridis® Nubuck — More Texture, Same Simplicity
What Makes Nubuck Different
The nubuck version of Viridis® — available as Black Nubuck, Camel Nubuck and Dark Brown Nubuck — has a suede-like, velvety surface. It feels softer and more organic than the matt finish, develops a beautiful patina over time, and picks up surface marks slightly more readily. But it releases them just as quickly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Dampen a soft cloth with lukewarm water and a small amount of grey soap.
- Work gently in circular motions — nubuck responds to light pressure, not force.
- Leave to dry for at least 15 minutes. This is the step most people skip too soon.
- Check after drying — in almost every case, the mark is completely gone.
Real-life example with photos: Our first Camel Nubuck Laptop Bag prototype has been in daily use for over 4 years — denim transfers, coffee splashes, commutes in all weather. The first photo shows the bag mid-clean, damp cloth applied: the wet areas look temporarily darker. The second photo, taken 10 minutes later: completely dry, no trace of any mark. Like a reset. For anyone curious what that same bag looks like after 4 years of daily use — not just after cleaning — there's an honest long-term evaluation in the article 4 Years of Daily Use: What Really Happens to a Vegan Laptop Bag. And for a full picture of how plant-based leather holds up across different real-life tests, see How Durable Is Vegan Leather Really?
Patina on Brown Matt and Navy Blue — Character, Not Damage
Brown Matt and Navy Blue Matt may develop a natural lightening along the edges over time — particularly at points of regular contact and friction. This is not damage: it's patina, the signature of a material that's genuinely been lived with. It can't be cleaned away — and it shouldn't be. It's the visible proof that a bag has a real history.
Cleaning Washpapa® — The Most Surprising Material
What Washpapa® Actually Is
Washpapa® looks like leather but is a kraft paper from Germany, reinforced with synthetic latex for tear resistance and water resistance. Certifications: Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and FSC®. At Plant Inside, Washpapa® is used for the Vegan Laptop Cases and the Vegan Lunch Bags.
What most people only discover after buying: Washpapa® can be rinsed under running water.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Hold the product under lukewarm running water.
- For tougher stains, add a small amount of hand soap or grey soap.
- Work gently with your fingers or a soft cloth.
- Shake off excess water and leave to air dry — no tumble dryer, no direct sunlight.
The lunch bag test from real life: A friend of the brand used our Lunch Bag every day for two years — until a yogurt container opened inside. He didn't dare wash it. When he heard that Washpapa® handles running water, he was skeptical. After cleaning: completely spotless, no marks, no deformation. The bag looked brand new — after two full years of daily use.
What Happens During Washing — and What Doesn't
When Washpapa® gets wet, it becomes noticeably more flexible and pliable. This feels unexpected at first — but it's completely normal and temporary. Once dry, the material returns fully to its original firmness and shape. What won't happen: it won't dissolve, won't tear, and won't lose its colour. One caveat: prolonged direct exposure to intense UV light can gradually fade the colour over time — store Washpapa® products away from strong sunlight when not in use.
Quick Reference — Which Material, Which Method?
|
Material |
Method |
Product |
Drying Time |
|
Viridis® Matt |
Damp cloth |
Grey soap + water |
~15 min |
|
Viridis® Nubuck |
Damp cloth |
Grey soap + water |
~15 min |
|
Washpapa® |
Running water |
Water + optional soap |
~30–60 min |
What to Avoid — For All Plant Inside Materials
Simple but worth stating clearly. Do not use:
- Acetone or nail polish remover
- Alcohol-based cleaners
- Bleach or chlorine-based products
- Hard brushes or abrasive sponges
- Tumble dryers or direct heat sources (radiators, hair dryers)
- Waterproofing sprays not specifically recommended for plant-based materials
These will roughen the surface, cause discolouration or create permanent damage — even though both materials are highly durable in everyday use.
🌱 Did You Know? The Science Behind Washable Natural Materials
Washpapa® is built on long cellulose fibres cross-linked with synthetic latex — a structural principle that nature has used in plant cell walls for millions of years. In living plants, cellulose and lignin combine to form a composite that withstands both mechanical stress and moisture. Materials science calls this a "fibre-reinforced composite." What evolution spent millions of years perfecting, sustainable textile production is now deliberately replicating.
Source: Ashby, M.F. & Jones, D.R.H. — Engineering Materials 1: An Introduction to Properties, Applications and Design (Butterworth-Heinemann, 4th edition, 2012)
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Vegan Bags
Can I put my vegan bag in the washing machine?
No — neither Viridis® nor Washpapa® should go in a washing machine. Washpapa® handles running water well, but the mechanical action of a drum cycle would be too much for the material.
What soap works best?
Grey soap (soft soap) is our recommendation — mild, effective and free from harsh chemicals. A gentle hand soap works just as well.
My Camel Nubuck bag has a visible mark — what should I do?
Damp cloth, a small amount of grey soap, gentle circular motion, 15 minutes to dry. In almost every case, the mark disappears completely after drying.
The edges of my Brown Matt bag are getting lighter — is that a defect?
No. That's the natural patina of the material — it develops through friction and is a sign of honest, long-term use. It doesn't affect the function or quality of the bag in any way.
Will Washpapa® lose its shape after washing?
It becomes more flexible when wet — that's normal. Once dry, it returns completely to its original shape and firmness.
Do I need to waterproof or condition my vegan bag?
No. Both Viridis® and Washpapa® are already water-resistant and require no additional treatment.
How often should I clean my bag?
Only when needed — no routine maintenance required. Damp cloth when dirty, done.
Updated: April 2026