Insights on Designer Handbags
Friday, January 28th, 2011
Choosing the right type of handbag and taking time to care for it will keep it looking new for years. It all depends on the user of the bag.
Always take time to clean your bag. Use the cleaner sparingly, it doesn’t take a lot. Doing this may change the color of the leather slightly because you are adding moisture to an otherwise fairly dry surface. If you do this regularly you’ll find that the bag won’t fray around the stitching or wear out quite as quickly. At eStyleSense.com we recommend and carry handbag care products made by Lovin My Bags. Lovin My Bags is the only company that has a line of products dedicated for handbags.
Most leather care products are for general use like cars or furniture, but these aren’t good for most aniline leathers. But no matter what type of leather cleaner you use, start with a small area in a non-visible place on the interior of the bag and test the product before cleaning the whole bag.
For those that choose fabric bags, you have to be prepared that they’ll eventually show evidence of dirt and hand oils. By wiping your bag gently with a damp, soft cloth from time to time will prevent dirt from seeping into the fibers.
Another important material users need to be aware of is brass. Brass looks great when it is new. And some people like the way brass looks after it is exposed to the elements and becomes oxidized, but others don’t. Be careful to keep the brass cleaner off the leather as it could change the color of the leather slightly.
For a Chloe Paddington, the lock has a dull finish to it. However, if your locks lacquer finish begins to wear off and you decide to clean it and completely remove the lacquer finish, it will become very shiny.
How quickly brass reacts to the elements depends on the elements to which brass is exposed. Sometimes moist air and even pollutants in the air will be enough to begin the oxidation process.
If you want to go for a bag that looks shiny and new right away, go with a bag made with gold-toned hardware and stay away from brass altogether.
Gold-toned and silver-toned hardware are easy to care for and continue to look like new throughout. If you’re gold or silver-toned hardware shows signs of losing luster, apply small amounts of liquid jewelry cleaner. Use the same steps. Test a small area first to see if the jewelry cleaner you use is safe for your hardware.
All categories of handbag owners should follow two simple steps when the bags are not used. Stuff them up so the bag will keep its shape. Place it inside the dust bag and keep it in a clean environment.
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