When youβre making an investment in a designer handbag or even buying a stunning preloved piece, you want to keep it in pristine condition. A designer handbag should last you for years, some (such as Chanel, Hermes or Louis Vuitton for example) could even last a lifetime and certain styles like the Birkin are so coveted that they appreciate in value. With that in mind, looking after your designer handbag is very important. Keeping it perfectly preserved will help it to retain its smart good looks and allow you to keep on enjoying using it. Itβs not hard to look after your bag; by following our tips on how to store your designer bag you will feel confident that youβre treating it with the care and attention it deserves.
When taking out your designer handbag; always make sure your hands are spotlessly clean to avoid transferring oil or grease onto it. Carefully unwrap it and pack it with what you need, making sure any make-up is stored in a separate, small handbag size make-up bag. Some people like to use a handbag organiser (useful if you use a large bag) so you simply lift your essentials out of one bag and into another. This avoids dirt staining the lining and dust collecting inside.
Be aware of where you place your bag while out. Avoid putting it on the floor, not only is it at risk of theft, it will also collect dirt underneath. As many designer handbags are made out of premium quality leathers or beautifully crafted manmade fibres, itβs hard to remove stains. Leaving your bag on the floor could also get it scratched. So, if itβs a cross-body bag, keep it across your shoulder and place it on your lap or right next to you (check the surface before you put your bag down ensuring itβs nice and clean). A good tip if youβre in a restaurant is to place a napkin down on the chair next to you and rest your bag on the top. Alternatively, purchase a handbag hook. These clip onto a table and you can fasten your bag securely so it doesnβt touch the floor (and it helps to avoid theft). Apparently, the Queen always carries a portable handbag hook in her bag so youβll feel royal!
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When youβve finished using your handbag, empty the contents and check the lining for any marks. If there are any, you can gently use a spot stain remover but check what materials it is suitable for. You could also use a clothing lint roller to pick up any dust inside the bag. If you have a leather bag, use a microfibre cloth to give it a gentle dust. For staining, it is best to refer to the handbag manufacturerβs guidelines and follow them to avoid ruining your handbag. Never use water on leather (it marks but a very light, damp cloth gently on leather should be fine) or on silk (it leaves a water mark). You can use specialist leather cleaner that is designed for your handbag but if you do get a stain itβs best to take it to a leather specialist.
If you notice any tears or you need repairs, get them seen to as soon as you can. Either contact the brand direct and ask for their advice or find a specialist leather repair shop. If you know of a good dressmaker, they may be able to help with any stitching problems but really, itβs best to go back to the brand and seek their guidance first.
Once youβre satisfied that your bag is clean, you need to store it away nicely. If you have the original tissue paper and dust-bag then great β youβve already got it covered! Itβs always best to use the originals, including the box or carrier bag if your bag came with one. If not, you can buy cardboard storage boxes (never use plastic, more on that later).
First, pad out your bag with acid-free tissue paper (or with the original stuffing). Then, carefully close it and fasten it and wrap any hardware in tissue paper to prevent scratching. Fold the handles on the top. Wrap it in the dust-bag and place in a box or the paper carrier bag. If you donβt have a dust-bag a great alternative is a cotton pillowcase because itβs a good size and itβs breathable (always stick to natural fibres). Then, store your bag away in your cupboard or a deep drawer but take care to give your stored bag ample space so it doesnβt get squashed.
Do take into consideration the temperature and humidity level of your storage space. It makes a difference. As a recommendation, store your handbag at around 35% humidity (you can buy a humidity measuring device from a hardware store or use a humidifier). If the storage area feels humid, it can affect your bag and that is why new handbags are usually packed with silica beads. You can buy little packs of silica beads which combat high humidity. Pay attention to the temperature too, as a general rule, between 60 and 75 degrees F is perfectly suitable for bag storage.
We hope our guide was useful. If you have a bag that youβre no longer using, weβd love to introduceΒ our consignment service. We take the stress out of selling your bags. We take care of pricing, photography, marketing and delivery.
If you have any questions on the bags that we accept, our valuation criteria, approval process and more, please do not hesitate to review ourΒ FAQsΒ orΒ get in touch.