Is There a Way to Color-fast a Purse?

vinegar and/or salt. let us know if it works!

If it's cotton, soak it in 1 cup white vinegar per 1 gallon of water and then wash it on gentle cycle if you have a front loader with an extra rinse cycle other wise hand wash with just a few drops of detergent - rinse until the water is clear and line dry.

If it's leather - take it to a leather repair shop to see if they can help you or only wear black with the purse. ;)

Try a type of Scotch-guard or waterproofing spray. Just look at the instructions and see if the purse's material is compatible with the spray. Do a spot check first.

I'm guessing this is a cotton bag? If so, my daughter has a similar one... I would wash the purse in woolite and cold water. Use a Shout color catching sheet in the water to keep excess dye from redepositing back. Keep the water moving gently and don't soak very long; the colors may bleed a lot. Rinse several times with cold water and roll up in an old towel. Lay flat to dry; if you put an old towel inside it will help the dye not bleed through. Vinegar can help set or fix the dye to cotton fabric. I guess salt works on other fabric types; this is a good link: http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/settingdye.shtml You can also buy a dye fixing product, which you can sometimes find at fabric or craft stores, or occasionally at Walgreens or large grocery if they sell Rit dye.