If you are going to invest money in a luxury handbag, you want to keep it in top condition. A handbag that is well cared for and in its original packaging can retain its value and might be able to be sold at nearly what you originally paid for it years from now. Here are some tips on how to care for your handbag to keep it looking like new.
After you have used your handbag, empty it and remove any dust. If the handbag is soft, you can turn it inside out and use a lint roller to remove dirt and dust from hard to reach places. If your handbag is made from hard-pressed, grained leather, use a damp paper towel or alcohol-free baby wipe to clean the exterior. If your handbag is crafted from natural or untreated leather, suede, or an exotic material, you can dust it with a dry paper towel.
The next step is to stuff your bag with acid-free tissue paper, a small pillow, or bubble wrap. This will help it maintain its shape. Wrap exposed hardware, including buckles and zipper pulls, with tissue paper so that they will not make imprints on your handbag.
Cover your bag to protect it from dirt and dust. Place it inside a soft, breathable dust bag or a cotton pillowcase. If you use a pillowcase, choose one in a neutral color to prevent color transfer. Be sure that the dust bag or pillowcase is large enough to prevent your handbag from warping.
If you are storing multiple handbags, keep them separate from each other. Don’t let the hardware on one bag touch another bag because it can leave a mark. Don’t let anything touch a patent leather handbag because the color can transfer from the patent leather to whatever it is touching.
Don’t hang your bags. This can distort the shapes of the handles.
If possible, it is best to store your handbag in its original box. If you don’t have the box, place your handbag on a shelf in a closet. Don’t let the handles be pressed down. If the shelf is not tall enough to have the handbag stand up with the handles up, then lay it down flat. If you are storing several handbags, you can put a note with a description of each bag on its box or dust bag to make it easier to find the one you want.
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