Everyone has experienced the gradual accumulation of minor imperfections, such as a scrape, an unattractive wrinkle, or a tiny stain. With time, the once-cherished purse deteriorates until all that is left is a soiled shell. Everyone has been guilty of not giving their purse the attention it deserves, but anyone who has ever had to give up a beloved bag because of poor maintenance knows how important it is to treat your handbag with respect. Any handbag in your collection, whether it was an expensive designer find or a more inexpensive knockoff, deserves to be treated with care. So, we asked several fashion experts for advice on how to best maintain your handbags. On this page, you’ll find advice from the experts on how to properly store your handbag, clean it, and prevent it from losing its form.
Avoid the Hook!
Do not succumb to the temptation to sling your bag over a nearby doorknob or hook. Don’t hang your purse by the handle because doing so can cause the leather to stretch, as stated by Carmen Chen Wu, co-founder and creative director of Caraa. A better option would be to place it upright on a shelf.
Don’t Let the Sun Hit It
As an additional safety precaution, Chen Wu suggests against leaving your purse out in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. She recommends keeping it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and a low humidity level to prevent mold growth.
Grab a Duster
Koren Ray, co-founder and chief visionary officer of Hobo, has a solution for stowing your backpack that protects it from dust and moisture. The use of dust bags is recommended at all times, as she puts it. Dust bags for your new purse should be included in the purchase price, but if they aren’t, you can readily locate eco-friendly alternatives.
Purchase Upkeep Items
Ray observes that leather naturally matures gracefully, but that it benefits greatly from being protected and well-nourished. As she puts it, “leather cream works well with some leathers,” while “other leathers need simply be handled with a cleaning or protectant,” depending on the character of the grain. In order to ensure that the suede on your bag lasts as long as possible and remains in good condition regardless of the weather, I highly recommend treating it with a leather and suede protectant spray before each usage. When it comes to leather, I think it’s preferable to use as little product as possible so that the hides retain as much of their original character as possible.
Hobo’s leather care line features a cream, a spray, and a protector for both leather and suede; each product is crafted in the USA from all-natural materials.
Don’t Go Crazy with the Cleaning
Cleaning a nylon bag entails a different approach than cleaning a leather bag. Remove the soap with a second clean, wet cloth. Use a towel to dry off. Stains and scuffs caused by water can also be washed away with some warm, soapy water. She cautions against going overboard in light of this. Chen Wu suggests waiting until your purse looks dirty to clean it so it doesn’t become worn out too quickly.
Stop use polystyrene bags
To those who have been storing their leather handbags in plastic polybags instead of dust bags, Chen Wu advises that you immediately stop. Over time, the plastic might become embedded in the leather, ruining it. This piece of advice should be simple to implement because using a conventional dust bag eliminates the potential for damage and is also noticeably more aesthetically pleasant.
The Form Must Be Maintained
A submerged purse is one of the most disheartening sights. This structural disaster, however, is entirely avoidable. Ray says that you may keep the shape of your sweaters by rolling them up inside your backpack.
Recognize and Accept Flaws
Ray and Chen Wu both stress the significance of loving and regularly carrying the purse you’ve invested so much time and effort into caring for. Ray adds, “Beauty comes with age, and your purse will age gracefully as you do.” One of the qualities that makes something well-loved is the way its form shifts ever-so-slightly as the leather ages. ‘Worn-in bags develop a patina that can make them even more lovely,’ Chen Wu says.
Carry out handbag maintenance early rather than late
If you put off making necessary repairs, you could end up doing more harm than good. Go to a tailor or leather craftsman as soon as you notice wear or tear.
One option is to use a handbag liner
Use a handbag liner to prevent damage to your bag’s interior from accidents like spills, especially if you switch bags regularly. Having a liner means your bag is protected from wear and tear, you have extra room to store your belongings, and you can switch bags out easily.
Make Sure the Handbag Is Secured by the Zipper or Fastening Its Handles Together
Avoid unnecessary wear and tear on your handbag by constantly zipping or fastening it and then draping the handles over the top. This is especially important for handbags with heavy hardware that may break if left hanging on the bag’s sides.
Conclusion
These 11 tips will help you keep your bag in good condition and please keep these tips in mind!