How to Store Handbags Properly

 

Some of the best ways to store handbags start with the basics, such as cleaning, stuffing, and proper air circulation. Each tip ensures that you do not damage or reduce the value of your handbags.

Clean Your Handbag Before Storing

It's pointless to take precautions when storing your handbag if it's dirty or soiled. Using your handbags alone generates soil, oils, and dirt. You must remove these before storing your handbag. Some experts advise using baby wipes that are free of alcohol and fragrance. If you're concerned, simply go over your bag with a damp soft towel to remove any accumulated grime. To ensure proper handbag storage, don't forget to clean the interior of your bag.

A dry, soft cloth is ideal for cleaning a leather bag. Water can stain leather, so this is especially important for untreated or natural leather bags. Although most leather bags will recover from water stains, there's no reason to put your handbag at risk. If you prefer, you can use a commercial leather cleaning solution. Just make sure the handbag is completely dry before storing it.

Don't Hang Handbags in Storage

Hanging handbags on the back of a door or rack is a popular way to store them. This type of storage can cause your bag to warp or the purse handles to become misshapen.

Place Handbags on Shelf or Flat Surface

Many people just keep their handbags on the top shelf of their closet. This is a simple way to keep your purses organized. When you do this, you may run into a few issues.

Your closet shelf may not have enough room to hold all of your purses. When arranging your handbags on a shelf, make sure they are not touching each other. You don't want to risk discoloration or marks on your handbags as a result of crammed storage. You must keep the handbag hardware away from other handbags. This is particularly problematic for patent leather bags, as the leather is easily discolored or scratched. Another issue is the placement of the handles. Sometimes the available space between the shelf and the ceiling is insufficient to accommodate the purse handles. Because of the limited space, the handles may be pushed into the handbag or distorted.

Some people keep their purses in the original packaging. The issue with doing so is that there isn't enough air circulation around the purse. Mold and mildew can grow due to a lack of air movement. Some designer bags, such as Louis Vuitton bags, are designed to be folded flat and stored. You want to fold the handbag correctly. This will prevent unwanted folds in the leather bag as well as the transfer of the finish from the handles to the canvas. Some bags, such as the Speedy, are intended to be folded beneath the bag:

1. Zip top closed
2. Turn bag upside down
3. Press air out of the center by pushing down
4. Allow both ends to collapse into center of bag
5. Press ends further into bottom center
6. Turn bag over
7. Zipper is now in center with one handle on either side
8. Slip folded bag into dust bag

Stuff Your Handbag

The vast majority of handbags are not intended to be folded. Most handbags should be stored by re-stuffing them in the same way you bought them. The simplest way to stuff a handbag is to keep the original stuffing that came with it. Fabric remnants and acid-free paper towel/tissue paper can be used. Never stuff your handbag with newspaper because the ink can easily transfer onto the purse lining. Stuffed purses should be stored flat on a shelf or other flat surface. Avoid using bubble wrap to stuff your purse because the density of the bubble wrap blocks air circulation and can create conditions for mold and mildew, especially if you live in a humid climate.

Purse pillows or purse pillow inserts can also be used. Purse pillows and pillow inserts are intended to provide structure by providing firmness. Simply place a purse pillow insert inside your purse when not in use. Wrap the hardware in acid-free tissue paper, making sure to cover any exposed hardware like zip pulls, strap hooks, and buckles. Wrapping hardware reduces the possibility of leaving imprints on the purse.

Store Handbags in Dust Bag or Pillowcase

The majority of designer purses, as well as some non-designer purses, come with a dust bag. You want to make the most of this useful storage tool. If you don't have a dust bag, a 100% cotton pillowcase will suffice.

Know Where (and Where Not) to Store Your Handbags

You should avoid storing your handbags in direct sunlight because this will damage the material and cause fading and cracking. You should choose a closet that is both dark and dry. Adequate ventilation is required to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Leather handbags should not be stored in a high humidity environment because moisture can cause peeling as well as mold/mildew. In such cases, a small dehumidifier may be all you need to keep your handbags from getting damaged.

Do a Three-Month Checkup

Every three months, you should perform a quick inspection of your handbags. You can take them out of the dust covers and inspect them for mold, mildew, cracking, and other signs of deterioration. If you aren't using dust covers, you should dust each handbag. You may want to use a leather conditioner on your leather handbags (allow to dry before returning to storage).