Tips and Care - Purse Cleaning and Storage

Opt for not hanging your purses on a hook or a hanger. Depending on the strap of the handbag, a hook or hanger can distort the shape of it. Instead, store your purses in an open basket in a clean, dry spot in your home. Make sure that the basket has a piece of fabric or cloth on the bottom of it.

Keep tissue paper stuffed into it. It will help to keep the bag in a nice shape when you’re not using it. If the purse has no flap or zipper on it, the tissue paper will also prevent dust from collecting in it. Since most purses already come with big wads of it, use that instead of having to buy some.

Have a few micro fiber cloths in the basket. They are soft cloths that make daily maintenance easy. It will shine up the hardware on the purse without scratching it and will also easily wipe off any dust that is on the outside. No need to wet the cloth, it will work perfectly when dry.

Make sure to store the basket that contains the purses off of the floor. Not only are they a magnet for pet fur, they are also susceptible if your dog or cat has an accident or decides to sleep on them.

Keep them stored out of direct sunlight. The light can distort the color of the purses and ruin them. It is best to keep them on a shelf in your closet where you can reach them but they are out of the way from anything that can ruin them.

Put any purses that you don’t use often in a piece of your luggage. It will save space, prevent damage and keep them clean.

Store purses and handbags in flannel dust bags, which often accompany the more expensive ones. If you don't have dust bags, use cotton pillowcases.

Wrap leather handles with cloth and place chain handles inside so they won't leave marks on the body of the purse.

Try using an air freshener to freshen the inside of your bags, If you do this, make sure to choose one that has a natural smell such as vanilla rather then an artificial floral fragrance. Also you don’t want the fragrance to be too strong, so consider keeping it in its wrapping and make small slits for the fragrance to escape. You can also use fragrant sachet, ones that you put in your dresser.

Place a saucer of baking powder on the floor at the back of your closet to absorb odors, should your storage space smell musty. You could also use an opened box of baking powder.

Clean your purses and handbags before putting them away. Use a suede or lint brush to remove superficial spots, but for deep stains, you may have to seek a professional cleaner's expertise. Always take snakeskin to a professional for cleaning.

Empty the purse of its contents before you begin. Once it's empty, open it as widely as possible and shake out any dirt or debris.

Care for patent leather with white vinegar and a clean cloth. Dampen the cloth with the vinegar, rub the scuff marks and wipe with a dry cloth. A small amount of vegetable oil may help remove a stubborn mark. A little petroleum jelly will give your patent leather a new shine, but won't remove marks.

Use leather cleaner on a leather purse. Use suede cleaner on a suede purse.

Apply a leather treatment and then water repellent to your new leather handbags and purses. Condition them occasionally to keep them pliable. Use a clean cloth to apply these products rather than placing them directly onto the purse. Don't apply these products to suede or patent leather.

Protect the outside of the bag with plastic wrap if you have to clean or polish the hardware. Metal cleaners can damage the leather or fabric if exposed to it.

Read any care instructions that came with the purse. Follow them carefully.

If the lining appears sturdy enough, gently vacuum out the interior to remove every bit of dust and dirt. Don't forget those dirty zip-up pockets.

Dry clean a fabric purse, or spot clean it with warm water and a gentle detergent such as Woolite using a clean, white cloth. Blot - don't rub - as you go.

Take velvet or silk purses to the dry cleaners.

STITCHING
Stitching can be a dead giveaway. Inconsistent stitching and sloppy construction in less visible areas, such as the underside of the bag or inside pockets, are details to look for immediately. Authentic designer bags tack on an extra zero on that price tag due to extra, carefully-crafted construction. They cost more because they are built more complexly. Counterfeit products usually do not have the care of construction that the real item has. If the construction looks simplistic, it's likely to be a phony.

MATERIALS
Many fakes are no longer made of PVC but of reasonably good leather, even lambskin; however, they are seldom as good as the materials labels like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Coach would use. Fake purses tend to be stiff and often have some sort of discoloration. When dealing with replica leather handbags, make sure the leather does not have an uneven look. Also, people generally assume designer bags should be lined, which is why many replicas are lined. But, on the contrary, real purses are not. Look for any kind of misspelling. In any quality product, the label is stitched in, but in Gucci counterfeits (for example),a cheap hand tag will hang from the handle. Look at authentic purses online, and study the real tags. That way, it will be easier to spot the fake labels. Fake labels are generally cheaply made, unclear in impression, and have a lesser quality of stitching (and the attachment of the label).

Examples: Sometimes cheaply replicated Coach bags will include tags with misspelled and run-on words or Burberry bags will often be stamped "Burberrys" instead of "Burberry - London" in gold or silver on one side.

PACKAGING
Luxury retailers put a great deal of care into packaging their products. This includes the works: tissues, wrapping paper, shopping bags, these extra touches are usually part of a real transaction. Look for items that have their original packaging. It's important that the box or bag the item comes in is neither too big nor too small, and is of the same brand as the purse you are purchasing. Makers of luxury goods seldom cram things into boxes or flimsy dust bags. Most luxury dust bags are made of thicker, soft cotton and flannel. Smaller items, like wristlets or wallets, will usually come in boxes.

DETAILS
Everybody knows that details can make or break a dress; well, the same goes for purses. The intricity of threads, leathers, fabrics, metals and stamping make a luxury bag what it is and should be...expensive. Most luxury items don't just come with authenticity cards; they also come with a product booklet with details on the details. Key things to look for when it comes to details: make sure the handles are of equal length, the logo is straight and firmly fastened, the details of the bag match up, and that the zippers are in full working order.

If you do not have a handbag to match your shoes, carry a black handbag; this is basic, though some fashion designers disagree that belts and shoes have to match so it doesn't really matter just as long as the ensemble looks good.

If you are a stickler on being organized, acquire handbags that have pockets, compartments and/or purses that have built in sections that will hold sunglasses, cell phones, keys, change, and etc.

Clutch bags are fashionable, however, they can jeopardise your safety. You could be an easy target for a purse snatch or it can be easily lost.

Always keep your purse/bag with you and hold close to your body. Purses have been stolen from grocery carts, snatched from behind or even straps have been cut from the shoulder.