Designer Handbags
Designer handbags represent a huge investment – which makes taking care of your handbags important. Failure to follow proper cleaning and care guidelines can end up with horrible results. While you should always look on the hang tag that comes with your designer handbags for recommended care and cleaning, the following tips are generally thought of as the best practice for handbag care.
- Leather. When you get your new leather designer handbag home, look to see if it is pre-treated. Some bags are not; the manufacturer wants the natural darkening that comes with time and age to take over. If the bag is not treated, it is recommended that you use a premium leather protector on the bag to keep it from getting stained. When your bag does get stained, buy some good leather cleaner for cleaning the bag. You can use the same type of cleaner that you use on your leather shoes. After removing stains, be sure to recondition the leather using leather conditioner and be sure to recondition your leather handbags twice each year to keep them from cracking and drying.
- Canvas or fabric. Canvas and fabric bags are all the rage, and they are simple to maintain and clean. Simply use mild soap and a damp cloth to spot clean your bag. Do not rub, but rather blot the stain or spot to remove. For stubborn areas, use an old toothbrush. For expensive designer handbags made from canvas or fabric, you might want to consider using a coat of Scotch Guard to protect the bag from getting dirty and stained.
- Suede. Suede designer handbags must be cleaned with a suede brush. This lifts off any surface dust and dirt. You can also utilize a pencil eraser to remove dry stains and dirt marks. A nubuck cloth can be used for ink stains on suede. Sadly, suede is easy to mar permanently, although there are suede cleaner kits that can be purchased that will remove some tougher stains. When you bring your suede bag home initially, buy some suede protector to apply to the bag to keep it from getting stained in the first place. And whatever you do, don’t use soap on suede – it will destroy it, literally.
- Silk. Silk designer handbags are also trendy right now, and silk is essentially easy to keep clean. If your silk bag gets dirty, use a solution of cool water for cleaning; simply sponge the bag with water and blot clean with a white cloth.