There are a lot of reasons why you want to take good care of your handbag. Maybe you just love it and want it to last for years, maybe you’re saving money, or maybe you plan to sell it at some point. Whatever the case may be, we’ve got 5 easy tips to help your handbag stay good as new.
You deserve a regular, mindful self-care routine and so does your handbag. Four times per year, you should clean out your bag and flip it upside down to remove any debris. Depending on the material, you should also gently wipe down the exterior of the bag with an alcohol-free baby wipe or leather cleaner.
Bags inside of your handbag are your best friend. You should use a Ziplock bag or other type of resealable pouch to contain items that may cause stains like lipstick, pens, and hand sanitizer. If you do get a stain on or inside your bag, you can try gentle home remedies like blotting with water, but we recommend seeking professional help. If you don’t have a local handbag cleaning service, you can try an online service like Purse Rehab.
Before you take your bag for its first spin, we recommend using an initial protectant. We know you’re excited to use your new handbag, but some patience in this process will go a long way. First read the label on any protectant product, like Apple Brand Gardé Rain & Stain Repellent, to confirm it’s safe to use on your handbag material.
Next, make sure you follow the directions carefully and consider spot testing on a small, inconspicuous area before treating the whole bag. For leather bags, you’ll want to occasionally apply a leather conditioner, referring to the product label for application instructions.
For suede handbags, you can use a suede brush to revive and refresh the material.
Taking a few extra minutes to ensure your handbag is stored properly is totally worth it. First, stuff your handbag to help it maintain its shape - use soft, dry materials like old cotton t-shirts or acid-free tissues. Next, carefully place the bag inside the dust bag (or cotton pillowcase) and place it upright on a shelf. Your bags should not be piled on top of each other, so if you don’t have enough room to store your bag upright on a shelf, then try a wooden hanger or a Bagnet.
This one’s important. Not only is it unclean and bad luck to put your bag on the floor, but it can also diminish the resale value. One of the first things a reseller will check for is wear and tear on the corners of your bag. Too much wear and your bag may be worth nothing! Make sure to keep your bag off the floor, or any other hard surface for that matter, by using a Bagnet wherever you go.
