As far as fashion goes, designer handbags are a great investment piece. They can be passed down regardless of size (unlike shoes) and they retain their value -- if they are cared for, that is. That's why today I'll be sharing my tips to help you keep your designer handbags in great shape.
This post was a request from my lovely friend Jeannine. She recently purchased her first designer bag and then texted me in panic mode wondering if she could ever take care of it and make her investment worthwhile. These are the tips I shared with her (that are lost somewhere in the abyss of our insanely long daily text chain) that will now be saved in this tiny corner of the internet. I hope they help you keep your bags in tip top shape for years to come!
1. Protect the material of the bag
Knowing the material of your bag is essential since all materials require different care. If your bag is made of leather, get a leather cleaner to keep your bag looking and feeling clean and new. Scotchgard Suede is a great option for bags made of suede. This step is imperative to helping elongate the life any handbag.
2. Short-term storage
This may seem crazy to have both short and long-term storage instructions, but hear me out. If you're simply putting your bag away for the night, there's no need to go through a laundry list of items to keep your bag nice. Simply empty out your bag with anything you don't need for the next day and make sure it isn't overstuffed. Keeping your bag too full will cause it to lose its shape. Then place is somewhere in your home that it won't be in the sunlight, a dark closet is a great place.
3. Long-term storage
If you've swapped out your bag for a new one or are just changing seasons, if you're storing your other bags for any longer amount of time you'll want to follow these steps. Empty out the bag completely and make sure there are no stains on the outside or debris on the inside that needs to be removed. Stuff the bag with either a handbag liner, tissue paper, or an extra scarf to help it keep its shape. Remove any removable straps, fold them, and place them inside the bag. Close all the zippers and enclosures and fold the straps on top of the bag to prevent any stress on the sides of the bag. Finally, store your bag in a dust bag or a cotton pillow case. Most bags come with a dust bag, KEEP IT! You can purchase dust bags very inexpensively online if you've tossed yours. Do not store bags in plastic -- it locks in the moisture and cause bacteria and mold to build in your bag. Make sure the bag is in a dark spot where it won't come in contact with sunlight (the original boxes are a great storage solution). I know this sounds like a lot of steps, but it really only takes a couple of minutes.
4. Keep the lining clean
Letting items spill inside of your bag can create stains that won't come out and immediately lower the value of your investment. Keep the contents of your bag in small pouches. I personally use pouches for everything in my bag. It's also a great way to stay organized. The pouches will take the fall of any lippie or purfume spill and eliminate a lot of debris from building up in the bottom corners.
5. Keep the hardware shiny
An easy at-home remedy to shine up your hardware is Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. I've found so many uses for these that they're always great to have on-hand.
6. Don't be afraid to take it to a professional
If there's a stain or a spot that you aren't sure how to handle, take it to a professional so you don't cause worse damage.
I hope you found these tips helpful. Is there something I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
xoxo,
Sarah
6 Tips to Protect Your Designer Handbags & Make Them Last for Years
I've always been into fashion, and by always I mean ever since I grew out of my tomboy phase that lasted through most of high school. It wasn't until a few years ago that I realized that even people who aren't fashion obsessed like to have nice things. A designer handbag is an item that can be admired by a much more mass audience than other trendy designer pieces.As far as fashion goes, designer handbags are a great investment piece. They can be passed down regardless of size (unlike shoes) and they retain their value -- if they are cared for, that is. That's why today I'll be sharing my tips to help you keep your designer handbags in great shape.
This post was a request from my lovely friend Jeannine. She recently purchased her first designer bag and then texted me in panic mode wondering if she could ever take care of it and make her investment worthwhile. These are the tips I shared with her (that are lost somewhere in the abyss of our insanely long daily text chain) that will now be saved in this tiny corner of the internet. I hope they help you keep your bags in tip top shape for years to come!
1. Protect the material of the bag
Knowing the material of your bag is essential since all materials require different care. If your bag is made of leather, get a leather cleaner to keep your bag looking and feeling clean and new. Scotchgard Suede is a great option for bags made of suede. This step is imperative to helping elongate the life any handbag.
2. Short-term storage
This may seem crazy to have both short and long-term storage instructions, but hear me out. If you're simply putting your bag away for the night, there's no need to go through a laundry list of items to keep your bag nice. Simply empty out your bag with anything you don't need for the next day and make sure it isn't overstuffed. Keeping your bag too full will cause it to lose its shape. Then place is somewhere in your home that it won't be in the sunlight, a dark closet is a great place.
3. Long-term storage
If you've swapped out your bag for a new one or are just changing seasons, if you're storing your other bags for any longer amount of time you'll want to follow these steps. Empty out the bag completely and make sure there are no stains on the outside or debris on the inside that needs to be removed. Stuff the bag with either a handbag liner, tissue paper, or an extra scarf to help it keep its shape. Remove any removable straps, fold them, and place them inside the bag. Close all the zippers and enclosures and fold the straps on top of the bag to prevent any stress on the sides of the bag. Finally, store your bag in a dust bag or a cotton pillow case. Most bags come with a dust bag, KEEP IT! You can purchase dust bags very inexpensively online if you've tossed yours. Do not store bags in plastic -- it locks in the moisture and cause bacteria and mold to build in your bag. Make sure the bag is in a dark spot where it won't come in contact with sunlight (the original boxes are a great storage solution). I know this sounds like a lot of steps, but it really only takes a couple of minutes.
4. Keep the lining clean
Letting items spill inside of your bag can create stains that won't come out and immediately lower the value of your investment. Keep the contents of your bag in small pouches. I personally use pouches for everything in my bag. It's also a great way to stay organized. The pouches will take the fall of any lippie or purfume spill and eliminate a lot of debris from building up in the bottom corners.
5. Keep the hardware shiny
An easy at-home remedy to shine up your hardware is Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. I've found so many uses for these that they're always great to have on-hand.
6. Don't be afraid to take it to a professional
If there's a stain or a spot that you aren't sure how to handle, take it to a professional so you don't cause worse damage.
I hope you found these tips helpful. Is there something I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
xoxo,
Sarah
As far as fashion goes, designer handbags are a great investment piece. They can be passed down regardless of size (unlike shoes) and they retain their value -- if they are cared for, that is. That's why today I'll be sharing my tips to help you keep your designer handbags in great shape.
This post was a request from my lovely friend Jeannine. She recently purchased her first designer bag and then texted me in panic mode wondering if she could ever take care of it and make her investment worthwhile. These are the tips I shared with her (that are lost somewhere in the abyss of our insanely long daily text chain) that will now be saved in this tiny corner of the internet. I hope they help you keep your bags in tip top shape for years to come!
1. Protect the material of the bag
Knowing the material of your bag is essential since all materials require different care. If your bag is made of leather, get a leather cleaner to keep your bag looking and feeling clean and new. Scotchgard Suede is a great option for bags made of suede. This step is imperative to helping elongate the life any handbag.
2. Short-term storage
This may seem crazy to have both short and long-term storage instructions, but hear me out. If you're simply putting your bag away for the night, there's no need to go through a laundry list of items to keep your bag nice. Simply empty out your bag with anything you don't need for the next day and make sure it isn't overstuffed. Keeping your bag too full will cause it to lose its shape. Then place is somewhere in your home that it won't be in the sunlight, a dark closet is a great place.
3. Long-term storage
If you've swapped out your bag for a new one or are just changing seasons, if you're storing your other bags for any longer amount of time you'll want to follow these steps. Empty out the bag completely and make sure there are no stains on the outside or debris on the inside that needs to be removed. Stuff the bag with either a handbag liner, tissue paper, or an extra scarf to help it keep its shape. Remove any removable straps, fold them, and place them inside the bag. Close all the zippers and enclosures and fold the straps on top of the bag to prevent any stress on the sides of the bag. Finally, store your bag in a dust bag or a cotton pillow case. Most bags come with a dust bag, KEEP IT! You can purchase dust bags very inexpensively online if you've tossed yours. Do not store bags in plastic -- it locks in the moisture and cause bacteria and mold to build in your bag. Make sure the bag is in a dark spot where it won't come in contact with sunlight (the original boxes are a great storage solution). I know this sounds like a lot of steps, but it really only takes a couple of minutes.
4. Keep the lining clean
Letting items spill inside of your bag can create stains that won't come out and immediately lower the value of your investment. Keep the contents of your bag in small pouches. I personally use pouches for everything in my bag. It's also a great way to stay organized. The pouches will take the fall of any lippie or purfume spill and eliminate a lot of debris from building up in the bottom corners.
5. Keep the hardware shiny
An easy at-home remedy to shine up your hardware is Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. I've found so many uses for these that they're always great to have on-hand.
6. Don't be afraid to take it to a professional
If there's a stain or a spot that you aren't sure how to handle, take it to a professional so you don't cause worse damage.
I hope you found these tips helpful. Is there something I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
xoxo,
Sarah