Handbag storage is something that the majority of us think very little about until it becomes an obvious problem. During your teen years, your handbag collection probably consisted of a few bags that could be easily hung up on a hook in your room. As the years go on, however, these collections tend to grow, and certain trends go out of style, which means your bags need to be stored.
Contrary to popular belief, handbags can’t just be haphazardly thrown up on a shelf and taken down years later in the same condition. Handbags need to be stored correctly in order to retain their shape, keep their colour, and stay free of stains. Here’s your ultimate guide to handbag storage.
1. Spot Clean and Condition
Oils, dirt, and debris can cause your handbag to deteriorate over time, which is why you need to clean them off before storage takes place. Thoroughly wash your hands to get rid of natural oils, then gently spot clean your handbag with water. If you’re planning on storing your handbag for a matter of months, you should also consider treating your handbag with the appropriate conditioner (e.g. leather conditioner for leather and suede conditioner for suede).
2. Air Dry Your Bags
Once your bags have been thoroughly cleaned, leave them out to dry overnight. You don’t want to store your bags if they are even a bit damp because that may cause colours to mix and mould to form. No, thank you!
3. Select A Storage Space
We’re lucky to live in a time in which furniture stores are plentiful, and there are an endless amount of videos on YouTube all about clever ways to organize your home. Take a gander at what purse storing options home décor stores have online and make use of what they have to offer in a way that makes sense for your space. Some great options include a back-of-the-door rack, acrylic purse organizers, or just a simple sectioned shelf.
4. Don’t Store Purses Within Purses
While you may be inclined to store your purse within another purse in an effort to save on space, it’s in your purse’s best interest to resist this urge. It is more likely than not that your handbag will be stretched beyond repair.
5. Stuff The Interior
To keep the shape of your bag intact, stuff the interior with tissue paper. Don’t use any paper with print, like old newspapers, to stuff the interior of the bag; otherwise, you may end up with ink damage on the interior fabric of your handbag.
6. Make Use of Dust Bag Covers
Most handbags come with dust bag covers that definitely shouldn’t be thrown away! These handy covers are essential to the proper storage of your handbag as they prevent your purse from yellowing from the light fixtures in your closet and, not surprisingly, prevent dust from getting on it.
7. Steer Clear of Plastic and Vinyl
In contrast to their dust bag counterpart, plastic and vinyl covers are some of the worst materials to store your handbag in. Plastic and vinyl are resistant to moisture and don’t breathe at all, which means any wetness on your bag will get trapped. Even worse, the moist environment they create allows mould and mildew to grow. Gross
8. Close Your Handbag and Overlap Handles on Top
Keep your handbag in a position that will preserve it best – with the zippers or buckles closed shut and the handles overlapped on top. If your bag is left open, it may cause creases to form. If you leave the handles handing down by the side of the bag, this can cause stress and tearing.
Using this handbag guide, your purses will stay in mint condition no matter how long they’re stored away. If you want to take the extra precaution of making sure they don’t get damaged and deteriorate while in storage, you can also get your handbag professionally cleaned at Love Your Purse. Love Your Purse has been expertly cleaning purses, luggage, and other specialty items for over 30 years. This is the place to go if you want high quality, affordable, and convenient purse cleaning services in Canada. Contact us today to get a free quote.
