I love my & my kid’s bags, and I have them in all sizes. These days I prefer to carry a tote or a hobo bag since I take kids’ goodies in my bag along with my essentials. When the weather is sunny and windy, I always prefer a fabric tote bag. In case of spillage, bag and the things inside the bag dry quickly. The real problem are the rains when I have to be extra cautious about what kind of bag to carry so that the bag and the things inside, both stay safe.
Maintaining a fabric bag is always easier than leather, suede and nubuck. If they are not stored properly, they can develop fungus, mold and mildew in the rainy season. Mold thrives if you store leather bags in a dark and humid place with less or no ventilation. Leather bags also need to be aired time to time.
Here’s how you can remove mold from your leather bags:
- Scrape as much as you can off the surface with a dry nylon brush or a soft bristled toothbrush
- Mix one part vinegar with one part water
- Moisten a soft cloth with the mixture and use it to wipe the surface of the bag
- Once the mold is removed, wipe it clean with a dry soft cloth
- Sunshine is a natural mold killer. If nothing else works then put your bags in the sun for a day
For bags made from ‘suede leather’ or ‘nubuck leather’, there are several shampoos available in the market that will take care of your cleaning woes. Follow these simple steps to clean your suede and nubuck bags:
- Use suede brush to remove surface dirt and dust
- Shake the shampoo can well and spray on, best to do small areas at a time
- Use a clean cloth or a hard brush
- Allow the surface to dry thoroughly
- Then use the brush to clean and freshen
With time, your precious leather bags also appear to age and wrinkle. They need care like your own skin. Leather should be cleaned and conditioned from time to time to retain its softness and shine. Leather conditioning will protect your bags from any stains and losing its shape. Ideally, the leather should be conditioned twice a year. There is a variety of leather conditioners available in the market. Following are some tips to apply conditioner on your bag:
- Put some conditioner on a soft, lint free cloth like cotton or linen
- Use circular motion to rub the conditioner evenly over the affected area
- Follow the conditioning with a brisk buffing of the leather surface with a soft, dry cloth (cotton or linen)
- Allow the leather to air dry for a few hours before using the bag
Your bags can have a long life if they are stored rightly. Here’s how you can store your bags safely:
- Use old cotton pillow covers to store your bags. Cotton is a great fabric and causes no damage to leather or suede
- Use old cotton or linen scarves for wrapping your bag before keeping it inside
- Put silicon beads inside the bags to avoid any moisture inside
- If your bag has a detachable belt, then before storing it, detach the belt and keep it inside. In case of an undetachable belt/handle, fold it in a way that there won’t be any fold marks or cracks on it later.
- Don’t squeeze your bag hard and close all the zips and buttons so that the shape of your bag remains intact.
Your bags are not only your investment but companions too. They go wherever you go. If they look good, you look good too. If properly cared and handled, your precious and expensive leather bags can last for decades.
xo
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-Pretty Mumma
Follow me on – http://www.instagram.com/prettymumma_says
These are such great tips! I’m not one big on carrying a purse around with me but I know many mama’s who would love these ideas!
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Thanks Kayla
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Some really great tips here..I’ve not thought to care in such a great manner for my bags though I love them.. Have bookmarked it for when I start this spree on my collection:). http://www.mommyinme.com
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Thanks Jhilmil 🙂
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Thanks for the tips! My bags look like they have been dragged through the mud… which I wouldn’t be surprised to find my daughter doing lol.
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Lol! Tell me about it!! Same story and hence, the inspiration behind this post.
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This is such helpful information! I like how you gave information on storing them properly too.
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Thank you 🙂
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I never knew how easy bags were to clean ! I wasn’t aware how easy they were to bring back to life, thank you!
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Thank you 🙂
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I have switched to my much lower maintenance Coach wristlet most days for sake of ease! Thanks for the tips, I’m sure I have some purses that need some attention at home!
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I had to do it as well. Who likes a spilled sippy cups inside a Burberry? It was a nightmare. Now I carry the regular ones for my everyday needs and expensive ones for special occassions.
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Great tips! I am a bag collector and I am so fearful that I’ll find mold on them. Will definitely keep these on hold!
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great post mama! very informative, i learned a few tricks I didn’t know before so thank you 🙂 have an awesome week!
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great tips! I don’t usually carry these because i have arms full of babies.ha, but I know of a bunch of ladies who would love the helpful post. Thank you
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Great! Spread the word 🙂
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I’m almost ashamed to say I NEVER really clean bags aside from the inside. Granted, they don’t last that long bc I never splurge on really nice bags but still…I ‘m gonna do better!
http://www.totallymommedit.com
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Good luck with that 🙂
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I totally need to care for my handbags better and this guide is going to help me! I have a few I need to clean up!
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I love that you take such care of your stuff, seems like so many things just go to pot. great tips!
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I agree. It’s not easy though. I just try to keep them safe from weather. Otherwise its just too much hassle. Thank you.
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I’ve always liked the weathered look for leather. But a suede brush is my friend, ha!
Lorna
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There you go!
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Some great tips here. I love bags but I’m not great at taking care of them
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Super useful tips! Thanks so much for saving my bags!
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Thanks!
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Such great tips! I get so really attached to some bags and want to keep them forever!
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The exact same emotional attachment makes me take care of my bags.
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Great tips! It’s good to know that the sun is a natural mould killer! That’s so easy to do too. I’m definitely guilty of not looking after my bags.
Stevie
Napchats.blogspot.co.uk
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Thank you!!
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These are really great tios. I usually just toss my bags. Haha I’ll have to take your advice!
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Thank you! I was like this before until the day buying new expensive bags started to burn holes in my pocket.
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Nice! I just have two purses: my pink one and my purse shaped like a book. I do need to clean them out more often. They are usually stuffed with trash and loose change.
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My bag these days has wrappers, tissues, napkins, more wrappers and never to be found loose change 😀
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Great tips! Vinegar for mild in leather?! Who knew
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This is a wonderful post. I really found this information helpful. I have to get better at taking care of my bags.
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Thank you 🙂
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Thanks for the tips. I tend to use my handbags until they are filthy and then I hide them away in a closet because I’m not sure how to clean them. This is a very helpful post. Thanks.
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Thank you. With a little effort I am sure they will be as good as new.
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Great tips on how to maintain different types of bag. Luke you have said it’s easy to maintain fabric bags to than bags.
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Thank you for these wonderful tips. I have many handbags and sadly I don’t treat all of them equally. I should make sure to cover all of them with a cloth bag to protect them and your right, they are investments so care should be taken. Thanks for the tips on how to remove stains and mold as well, very informative!
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Thank you…I am glad 🙂
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I’m not really a handbag person but I think my daughter should see this. She’s just getting into handbags now and letting her know how to take care of them would be a good thing.
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Thank you. You have a great website and blog. All the best!!
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Thank you so much
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what great tips! I have some bags and totes similar to yours!
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Thank you… I am glad to know this 🙂
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This is great information for anyone who loves to purchase high-end bags. Taking care of them definitely prolongs their use.
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Those are great tips. As I get older, I find that I love investing in just one or two bags and really keeping them nice and clean for continual use. I’ll make use of these tips!
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These are awesome tips! I went through a crazy purse phase a few years ago and I’ve made it a personal mission to keep them up. I take pride in how well I’ve taken care of my bags over the years.
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Wow! I am so glad to hear this. I was once wreckless too but not anymore.
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I never know how to care for my handbags, I’m spoiled and just get a new one and forget the other! time to go through my closet!
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Well…I was like this once too. Sense prevailed thankfully 🙂
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Wow awesome tips I’ve never thought of my handbag as a companion, but do my best to take really good care of the ones I own,
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🙂 Thank you
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These are awesome tips! I’ve had good luck with leather and canvas. Cotton is not my fabric of choice for handbags unless it’s treated cotton and then it’s more like canvas anyway! But, it is nice to be able to wash. I’m always spilling water in my leather diaper bag (luckily it’s lined) but it’s such a pain to air out!
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So true! Thanks for reading )
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Thank you 🙂
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I love bags! They are my favorite accessorie! Now I know how to take care of them a little bit better. Thanks for the useful tips!
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Thank you 🙂
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I so need to take better care of mine. I will try this out. Thanks for the tips here.
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Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Some great info here! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
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I love these tips. I use most to care for my bags and they seem to last forever.
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Thanks for reading 🙂
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Very helpful and resourceful tips here. I always wondered how to keep my handbags in top shape. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you for reading 🙂
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These are some really great tips! It has been a long time since I have carried anything other than a diaper bag with me. I really need to bust out my purses a little more often!
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Thank you so much for reading 🙂
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Wonderful tips! I am a handbag-aholic as well!
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Thank you for reading and appreciating 🙂
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This is really great info – especially someone like me who invests a lot on bags 😑
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Thank you for reading and appreciating 🙂
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