Our colleague Melissa Leventon, ASA and co-founder and principal at Curatrix Group, who specializes in textile and fashion appraisals and museum consulting, collaborated with us to share her tips for the proper handling and care of designer and luxury handbags.
Both investment-grade handbags and ordinary purses benefit from being well-cared-for. See below for tips on what to do, and not to do.
Avoid stress, strain, and environmental extremes: do not overstuff your handbag, which can cause zippers to fail and put unwanted stress on seams. Do not hang either a full or empty handbag from its handles or shoulder straps, as it can stretch and strain them and distort the bag. Water saturation and/or extremes of hot, cold, temperature, and humidity extremes can damage handbags; keep them dry and in temperate conditions. Handbags are best stored on shelves or inside drawers.
Storage: First, empty the bag completely and clean out the interior by wiping with a soft dry cloth or using a low-suction vacuum. Then, pad the bag to help maintain its shape. A piece of soft cloth, some crumpled acid-free tissue paper, a bag pillow, or a bag insert are easy ways to do this, and an insert can also help keep the interior of your bag clean during use. Take off accessories like locks, keys, bag charms, and removable straps, wrap them in cloth or acid-free tissue, and store them neatly inside the handbag.
Always store your handbag in its cloth dust bag to protect it from dirt and exposure to light. If it does not have a dust bag, you can easily buy or make one, or simply store your handbag in a well-washed cotton pillowcase. Avoid plastic bags and bins for storage; they can trap moisture, which encourages mold and mildew; off-gas; and, in some cases, lead to color transfer.
Ongoing care: Smooth leather and fabric bags can be wiped down with a soft, dry cloth to get rid of surface dirt; many brands recommend a microfiber cloth for this step. Address spots and stains as soon as possible after they appear, using a damp cloth and a bit of mild soap or a leather cleaner if your bag is leather—test an inconspicuous corner first to ensure this is safe before you begin. Make sure the bag is completely dry before storing or using it, and condition leather bags at least once or twice a year. Do not use water on suede or nubuck bags; instead, gently surface-clean with a suede brush or a soft, clean toothbrush and use a suede cleaner or a clean artist eraser to remove spots. If you are unable to rid your bag of stains or other problems, or hesitate to tackle it yourself, take it to a specialist bag cleaner or spa.
The above steps should keep your handbags in good condition for many years to come.
For more information:
https://www.fibrenew.com/blog/the-complete-guide-to-leather-care
https://www.wonderfulmuseums.com/museum/what-do-museums-use-to-preserve-leather-3/