How to clean and care for a raffia bag (so it lasts for summers to come)
By Laura & Michael, founders of Sand Society
TL;DR: Spot clean your raffia bag with a barely damp cloth and a little mild soap, then air dry it in the shade. Never machine wash or soak it. Brush off dry sand, blot sunscreen fast, and store it stuffed with tissue over winter.
A good raffia bag quietly earns its keep, carrying the towels, the snacks and the paperback you keep meaning to finish, and looking better doing it than anything else on the sand. The good news: raffia asks very little of you. Here's what it does ask for.
What is raffia, actually?
Raffia is a natural fibre stripped from the leaves of the raffia palm, grown mainly in Madagascar. It's long, flexible and surprisingly strong for something so light; weavers have trusted it for generations. As a plant fibre it behaves like your favourite linen shirt: durable, breathable and happiest kept mostly dry.
That's the key to everything below: raffia is tough, but it's not plastic. Treat it like a living fibre and it will reward you for years.
Handwoven in Madagascar, designed in Australia
Every Sand Society bag starts as raw raffia in Madagascar, where artisans weave each one by hand. The shape of our Coco beach bag in chocolate comes from hours of skilled hands working fibre over fibre, which is why no two bags are ever quite identical.
We design the range here on the Northern Beaches with real beach days in mind: wide openings, roomy interiors, straps that sit comfortably on a shoulder already carrying a small child. There's more on how our bags are made on our values and sustainability page.
How to clean a raffia bag
Sand first, always
Wait until the bag is completely dry, then turn it upside down and shake. Dry sand falls out of raffia easily; damp sand clings. A soft brush (a clean paintbrush works) lifts the last of it from the weave. What we do with our own bags: after a beach day they sit on the deck in the shade for an hour, then get a good shake over the garden. Dry sand leaves without a fight.
Spot cleaning marks
For marks and small spills, spot clean only. Dampen a cloth (barely damp, wrung right out), add a drop of mild soap, and dab rather than scrub. Follow with a clean damp cloth to lift the soap, then air dry somewhere shaded and breezy. Direct sun dries the fibre too fast, can leave it brittle, and fades deeper colourways over time.
Sunscreen and tanning oil
Oil stains are the one thing worth being quick about. If sunscreen ends up on your bag, blot it straight away with a dry cloth; rubbing pushes oil deeper into the weave. Then spot clean as above. On lighter shades like our Oat beach bag, speed is the difference between a non-event and a permanent shadow. Wipe Oat's vegan leather strap with a dry cloth and keep soap off the gold hardware.
What if it gets rained on?
Don't panic. A bit of rain won't ruin raffia; trouble only starts if it stays wet. Shake off the excess, reshape it gently, stuff it loosely with a dry towel and let it air dry away from sun and heaters. No hairdryers. Once fully dry, it will be right as rain, so to speak.
Raffia bag care: do's and don'ts
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild soap | Machine wash, ever |
| Air dry fully in the shade before storing | Soak it or leave it sitting wet |
| Brush off dry sand with a soft brush | Rub sunscreen or oil stains (blot instead) |
| Stuff with tissue to hold its shape in storage | Hang a loaded bag by one strap |
| Blot sunscreen and oil straight away | Dry it in direct sun or with heat |
Storing your raffia bag over winter
When the water gets too cold even for the brave, give your bag a proper send-off. Make sure it's completely dry and sand-free, stuff it with tissue paper to hold its shape, and sit it upright in a cool, dry cupboard. A cotton dust bag or pillowcase is ideal; skip sealed plastic tubs, because natural fibre needs to breathe and trapped moisture invites mould. Don't leave it hanging by a strap for months, especially with things still inside; that's how straps stretch.
Structured shapes like our Mocha bucket bag come out in spring looking like they never left.
A word on patina
Here's the part most care guides skip. Raffia softens and mellows with use. The weave relaxes, the colour deepens where your hands rest, and the bag slowly shapes itself to your life. That's not damage; that's patina. A bag on its third summer, soft and a little sun-kissed, is lovelier than it was in the box. Care for it well and let it age.
Raffia bag care FAQs
Can a raffia bag get wet?
A splash or light rain is fine; soaking is not. Shake off water, reshape the bag and air dry it fully away from direct sun. Never leave it sitting wet in a car boot or under damp towels.
How do you clean a raffia beach bag?
Shake out dry sand, brush the weave with a soft brush, then spot clean marks with a barely damp cloth and mild soap. Air dry in the shade. Never machine wash; it will wreck the weave.
Do raffia bags last?
Yes, with basic care. Raffia is one of the stronger natural fibres, woven into baskets and bags for generations. Kept dry, stored stuffed with tissue and spot cleaned when needed, a well-made raffia bag lasts for many summers.
How do I get sunscreen off a raffia bag?
Blot immediately with a dry cloth; don't rub. Then dab with a barely damp cloth and mild soap, and air dry in the shade. The faster you blot, the better, especially on lighter colourways.
How should I store a raffia bag over winter?
Completely dry and sand-free, stuffed with tissue, upright in a breathable dust bag or pillowcase in a cool dry cupboard. Avoid sealed plastic tubs and don't hang it by a strap long-term.
Ready for more summers?
If yours has earned its retirement, or you've been eyeing a second (we understand), browse our raffia beach bag collection. Handwoven in Madagascar, designed in Australia, made to carry it all.
