Purchasing a designer handbag from your favorite luxury brand is an amazing experience that might cost you even more than your rent! However, it’s of no use if you don't know how to ensure proper upkeep of your bag and maintain it appropriately. Your new bag is not going to stay new forever, and that's a hard fact! Do you toss your designer bag on the floor, or stuff it in your closet like some old gym tote? Then it is more likely to get ruined faster. If you want your bag to retain its looks and feel for a longer time, follow the steps provided here.

Start with the basics

Checking the material of your bag first is a major need before you start scrubbing or wiping your bag unnecessarily! Different materials like leather, suede, canvas, patent, exotic skins have different maintenance processes and inappropriate means can ruin the texture of your bag.

Always make sure that you have read the maintenance manuals provided by the brand along with the bag. If you don’t have them, make sure to search for it online and in the website of the brand. You need to know the dos and don’ts well.

Keep it clean daily

Are you showing your bag love every day? Well, it can prove to be more beneficial than going out on a full-blown cleaning session every week. Day-to-day maintenance can be extremely beneficial in your case, as you can use a soft, dry cloth to wipe it daily.

Besides, make sure not to overload your bag with unnecessary load, as too much weight stretches it out and can mess with its handles. When not in use close the zip or buttons, as this can help in maintaining the shape and keeps dust outside.

Never put it on the floor

Do you put your bag down next to you on the floor at a café or a bar? Well, this is not the right thing at all, and you must strictly abstain from doing it. Keeping your luxury leather bag in the same place where your shoes have been is not the right idea at all!

You should always opt for a handbag hook, or when outside, use the back of your chair. Or else, another thing to do is hold it on your lap, if you don’t have anywhere else to place it. Always remember that grime, sticky residue, or mystery stains from public floors can ruin your bag.

Storage is everything

Never shove your bag into a random corner when you are not using it at all. If you don’t want your bag to get squashed, creased, or even scratched, make sure that you are using appropriate storage.

Always use acid-free tissue paper or bubble wrap to stuff the bag when not in use, which can help in maintaining the shape of the bag. Besides, you must use a dust bag, and keep it in a cool and dry place, avoiding any contact with direct sunlight. Do not hang your bag by its straps for a long period.

Spot clean spills ASAP

Have you ever accidentally spilled something on your bag? The experience must have been horrific! However, you need not panic in such situations, the first thing to do here is to dab it gently, with a soft and dry cloth, in the case of a leather bag.

You must use a damp cloth with a tiny bit of mild soap in the case of a bag made from fabric or canvas. Always blot the area, do not scrub! Remember that you are not washing dishes!

Watch the weather

Leather and water are not the perfect match by a long shot. Blot your leather bag dry with a clean towel if you get caught in the rain with your bag. Never use a hair dryer, as it can dry it out immensely and can cause unwanted cracks as well. Switching to a less delicate bag on a rainy day is a smart move that can save your bags!

After a downpour, all bags need appropriate drying off, as this can help maintain their quality. Besides, you can also purchase a leather protectant spray that is safe for your specific bag.

Rotate your bags

Do you wear the same dress or shoes every day? No, right? Similarly, rotating your bags is a good idea as well, as using the same one daily means that you are compromising the longevity of your bag! Giving your designer bag a break is mandatory.

Be picky about what you put inside

With luxury bags, carrying way more things than we need should be strictly prohibited. Keeping your bag in pristine condition requires a lot of effort, as you need to organize your stuff in small pouches and avoid tossing in water bottles or any other liquids. You should also take the onus of cleaning your bags every day.

Give it a deep clean every month

A monthly deep clean can work wonders in ensuring the greater longevity of your bags. You can use a leather cleaner, followed by a conditioner in the case of leather bags, and apply this with a microfiber, using circular motion. For a fabric bag, you can opt for a good fabric cleaner or even baby shampoo! Always let it air dry.

Know when to call the experts

When things get too bad, a simple DIY cannot fix it, you should call an expert! Professional help is required in the case of stains that won't budge, serious scratches, or even if your bag is having a shaggy shape.

Final thoughts

Your luxury handbag requires appropriate upkeep and maintenance! Without proper upkeep, it is bound to lose its charm in no time. These tips and tricks provided here highlight the things that you must do to ensure that you are able to properly maintenance of your handbags. These luxury handbags are largely sophisticated and require cautious maintenance. So, make sure to clean it daily and deep clean it once a month to maintain it in perfect condition!