Handbag Care Tips

Handbags, especially leather handbags, can give out unpleasant smell. Unbearable odor could be due to improper processing of hide or when handbags are not dried off properly after getting wet. As a result of trapped moisture content inside, there is growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold or mildew inside the handbag, leading to permanent damage of the handbags over time. Pesky odor can also cause a lot of embarrassment to the wearer, which shows lack of proper care of the handbag.

Following are some tips and tricks to remove odor from your handbags:

• Baking soda is known to be very effective in removing bad odor. For this, you can put some baking soda in an open container inside your bag and leave it for about 24 hours. The baking soda would absorb the unpleasant odor and leave a refreshing smell inside your handbag.
• You can also consider using newspaper to fight unpleasant smell. Crush a lot of newspapers and stuff them inside your handbag. Pull the zipper of the handbag and leave it for a few hours. The papers can help in absorbing the foul smell of your handbag.
• You might even find coffee beans quite useful in reducing bad odor from your handbag. Just sprinkle some coffee beans overnight inside your bag. The beans will help in absorbing the dampness and also its pleasant aroma will remove the bad smell out of the bag.

Your bags can develop visible spots or stains in the long run. Depending on their make, different types of bags need different kind of cleaning treatments. While you may find machine wash generally effective in removing stains and dirt from nylon bags, the same can’t be said for leather bags. For some bags, spot cleaning is generally preferred over washing or dry cleaning in order to avoid wear and tear.

Here are some tips on spot cleaning a canvas tote:

• Place the dirty area on a clean white cloth to make sure that color doesn’t absorb into your canvas tote bag. Now, dip a soft brush into a mild detergent solution and gently remove the stain in a circular motion.
• For better cleaning action, spray some clean water in between until the stain is completely removed.
• Now blot and air dry the area until it is completely dry to wear or store.

Bags serve a variety of functions in our everyday life. We use them to carry our groceries, books or clothes from stores, our cars, or really anywhere. It is no wonder we prefer bags which do not eat up our valuable time and need minimal care for cleaning and maintaining. Machine washable bags are such bags that are made of lasting fabrics that you can toss any time in your washing machine.

By the way, if you are among those who prefer not to carry your lunch bags to your school or workplace because you don’t want to be bothered with cleaning the crumbs or other stuffs, you may find machine washable lunch bags very useful. Many of the lunch bags are made of durable polyester or such other fabrics which makes them very easy to clean.

Even though machine washable bags take very less time to clean, they still need some general care and maintenance.

Following are the two tips which you may find useful:

• When you get home after shopping, make sure that you hang your machine washable bags in your garage or laundry room. This will evaporate moisture (arising out of spillage of milk or any other liquid, etc) and prevent mold to damage your bag.
• If you use fabric bags to bring your everyday food items, make sure that you assign separate bags for vegetables, fish and meat. Regular cleaning of your fabric bags will prevent bacterial growth. Moreover, you obviously don’t want your fresh fruits or vegetables to give out unpleasant smell! For this purpose, you may opt for machine washable cotton tote.

We buy bags for a variety of reasons – for utility purpose or as fashion accessories. Since you spend considerable money on bags, it’s important to maintain their original look and shape. Cleaning your bags once every two weeks can help not only in maintaining their tip-top condition, but also save hard-earned bucks that you may like to spend otherwise. This article is about taking care of different types of bags at home.

How to Clean a Leather Bag:

• The most important thing you can do is carefully follow the manufacturer instructions that come with your leather bag.
• For cleaning your leather bag, empty all your contents and remove loose dirt by gently shaking your bag.
• With a dry cloth, wipe out the interior of your bag.
• Dip a damp (definitely not wet) cloth piece in a very mild detergent solution and wipe the surface of your leather bag. To make sure that the cloth piece is not wet, you can wring it out properly after dipping it in the solution.
• Dry your bag thoroughly in a dry, dark shaded location. You may want to avoid drying your bag under direct sunlight as this will make it dry and fade its color.
• Finally, apply a coat of leather conditioner/protector to maintain its original sheen and softness.

How to Clean a Nylon Bag:

• Again, follow the instructions given by the manufacturer.
• Cleaning a nylon bag is really easy. Make a solution of lukewarm water and mild detergent or cleaner in a bucket. Dip your bag in the solution for sometime.
• To remove any stains, gently circle a soft bristle on its surface. Leave it for sometime before washing it again, this time, in only lukewarm water.
• Finally air dry your nylon bag in a location free of direct sunlight.

How to Clean a Silk Bag:

• Avoid taking out your beautiful silk bag in extreme weather condition. Fog, rain, snow and sleet can lead to water marks or stain.
• For cleaning your silk bag, make a solution of mild detergent and lukewarm water. Before dipping the bag into the solution, you may want to test it in an area.
• It is better not to rub a silk bag as this can spread out the stain and wear out its fiber.

If you think using bags made from recycled materials means sacrificing either style or quality, think again. Today’s bag makers are increasingly looking for ways to come up with environment-friendly bags. No wonder sporting a stylish recycled bag made of snack bag, seashell, newspaper, candy wrapper or juice box is fast becoming a trend. This is also a great of showing that you care.

Below are some of the ways of making recycled bags a part of your everyday life.

• Recycled plastic bags can be great carry-all, fit for everyday use. You can take them to the beach or to the local market and can reuse. The lightweight and tough recycled plastic bags are ideal for carrying your apples, broccoli, orange, etc. By using recycled plastic bags, you also make meaningful contribution in preventing harmful plastics filling up our ecosystem.
• Recycled paper shopping bags are also comfortable to carry your shopping items. Because of their clean look you can take them anywhere, even to your workplace. You can comfortably carry your groceries or food items like chicken or meat in the ultra-lightweight recycled paper bags.
• For women who want to look stylish and fashionable, but at the same time want to show their commitment towards the environment, there is nothing like a recycled shoulder bag. Recycled shoulder bags are available in various styles and designs and in various price ranges. They can be appropriate for every occasion – formal or informal.
• If you are looking for a multi-purpose bag which can make an ideal beach bag or library bag and at the same time appropriate for carrying your lunch box or grocery items, you can’t find a better match than the Recycled tote bags These bags are not only comfortable to carry your essential items but are also quite economical. Recycled tote bags are available in array of designs and styles to cater to everybody’s taste.
• Today’s on-the-go men and women who want to play active role in making our planet safe, would love carrying eco-friendly laptop carriers. There are many fantastic options available in the recycled laptop bags. Most of these laptop bags are made by recycling plastic bottles, nylon rice sacks, PET fabric (made from ground-up water bottles and soda bottles) or such other items. These bags are appropriate for storing everyday office items and are available in attractive shades and looks.

Possessing a genuine leather bag is always a matter of pride for the owner. This is because, unlike other materials, leather is tough and long lasting but at the same time supple and soft. That’s why genuine leather products are so special, costly and sought after. Many materials lose their shine with time, but with proper and routine care, leather products can become more beautiful, richer and luxuriously soft.

Below are some useful tips to help you keep your leather handbag in tip-top condition for a long time:

• To retain its original shape and to prevent wrinkles, stuff your leather handbag with some soft tissue paper or soft cloth pieces.
• Have you ever wondered how ancient people used to take care of their leather items? They used to wipe off their leather items with a slightly moistened (not wet) cloth piece or sponge every day to prevent hardening due to age. You might also consider moisturizing your handbag like this. Or else can use quality leather conditioner available in the market. After moisturizing, don’t forget to let it air dry thoroughly and store your handbag properly. For handbag storage tips, see the Handbag Storage Tips.
• Brushing also helps, especially if you have any leather items in suede or sheepskin. Soft brushing can remove the fine dirt and grease on your handbag.
• Avoid hanging your leather bag by its straps. This puts pressure on its strap connectors and wears out its seams rather prematurely. When you are not using your leather handbag, just keep it on your shelf. In addition, don’t rest anything on top of your leather item, let it breathe.
• Do not expose your leather bag to direct sunlight. Not only sunlight will fade its color, it will dry up its natural oil content, making it brittle and cracked. The best is to keep your leather handbag in a dark place.
• You can store your leather handbag inside a breathable cloth bag where it can breathe properly. Keeping it inside a plastic can damage your costly handbag. This is because plastic has the tendency to breakdown when it comes in contact with sunlight. Plastic item also collects moisture when exposed to excess humidity.
• Your leather handbag is costly, so try to keep it away from sharp edged items. Take extra precaution when carrying it in crowded places or on public transport systems to keep it clean and minimize chances of damage.
• Professional help once every year can also help in retaining its original shape to a great extent.
• Genuine leather bags are beautiful and costly. A little care everyday on your part can bring many years of joy and pride.

If you’re looking for a stylish, easy and versatile handbag, you might want to start shopping for pleather heandbag. It is synthetic leather made from plastic, also known as “pleather”, and has been growing in popularity since its initial rise in the 1970s. It has even found its way into the collections of some of today’s biggest designers. We know the benefits to purchasing leather include durability, flexibility and quality, but there are also great reasons for why you should start shopping for a new pleather handbag to add to your collection.

• Pleather is often more affordable. Since it is a manufactured material, it is easier to produce and therefore cheaper to purchase, so you can get a great look for less.
• Advocates for animal safety promote pleather, as they see leather manufacturing as a large animal cruelty concern. With pleather, you can get the fashionable look of a leather handbag while still being animal friendly.
• Leather handbags are often quite heavy due to the quality of the thick material. Pleather is still durable, but is much more lightweight, which is helpful when carrying a large handbag that easily becomes full of all of your belongings. Starting off with a lighter bag will give your shoulder a much needed rest.
• Pleather is low maintenance. Usually made out of a polyurethane film, it is much easier to clean and take care of than its authentic counterpart. This will make it almost effortless to ensure a long life with your new pleather handbag!

Did you know that the handbags of most women carry germs and bacteria? The reason is not that these ladies are unhygienic. It is simply that they, either unwittingly or due to lack of choice, place their purses at places that could be the source of harmful microbes. Visualize a scenario when you go to a movie. It is quite likely that you would place your handbag on the floor. If a person who had been to the washroom earlier had placed his feet there, the bacteria and fungus are likely to stick to the underside of the handbag. Thereafter you will carry the same handbag everywhere you go. This makes you susceptible to the germs.

Your handbag can pick up germs from numerous sources such as the office, restaurant, coffee shops, public transportation, washrooms, or any other public place. So how can you ensure that your handbag is safe and germ-free? One effective way is to use a purse caddy to hang your bag. Purse caddies are like hooks, which can be secured to tabletops or other hard surfaces, and used to hang the handbag. They are small in size and can be carried in your bag. If a lady visits a place where there is no facility to hang her purse, she can use the handbag hanger to hang her handbag, thus keeping it dry and clean.

Handbag hangers are found in different styles and designs. The variety is so great that caddies to suit any occasion can be found. You will find simple, low-quality ones, elaborate ornate ones with gems, regular ones, customized caddies, foldable ones, the list just goes on. Designs on the purse caddies include cute cartoons, floral designs, monograms, bejeweled embellishments, amongst others. When you do buy a handbag hanger, find out how much weight it can bear. You don’t want to buy a caddy that cannot bear the weight of your bag.

One of the prime sources of germs is the handbag of a lady. If you want to ensure that your handbag does not become a cause for infection then use a handbag hanger to keep your purse off the floor.

Handbags are arguably the most important accessory for a woman. Once your look is complete, the only thing left is to add a touch of poise and you are all set – this final detail is added with a stylish designer handbag. After spending a fortune on that perfect designer handbag, you wouldn’t want it to be ruined due to your carelessness. Whether your designer handbag is Louis Vuitton, Gucci or an  Isaac Mizrahilive leather crossbody bag, it is very important you take proper care of your pricey possession. You would definitely not want to look down and find a pen mark on your Coach bag or have a dusty Anuschka hanging over your shoulder.

Taking proper care of your handbags preserves their longevity. Today, handbags are quite pricey and have become more of an investment. Only with proper care can you make it an excellent investment. Coach handbags are very desirable and are very popular. They are known for their quality and women who own them will flaunt them proudly for years. Caring for your Coach handbag isn’t a Herculean task. Just lightly clean it once a month with baby wipes. Baby wipes are gentle enough to be used on handbags. A fabric Coach bag usually comes with a fabric cleaner to clean its surface. Always store your handbag in a dust bag and never stack or crush your Coach handbag.

If you own the masterpiece Anuschka handbag, you truly have added color and class to your wardrobe. These hand-painted Anuschka handbags have been designed with paints that are developed over many years, which ensures that the colors won’t rub off on your clothes. However, these bags do require some attention. Like any other unique leather accessory, caring for an Anuschka handbag requires cleaning it with a damp cloth whenever necessary. Also avoid using any harsh chemicals.

Look on www.become.com for more on how you can take care of your designer handbags. As long as you take proper care of your handbags, they will continue to add color and glamour to your style for years to come!