How to Properly Care, Clean, and Store Your Luxury Goods
Your Guide to Preserving Designer Bags & Accessories
Designer goods from the finest luxury brands like Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton are known for their fine craftsmanship of the highest quality leathers and fabrics. Bags and accessories of this kind are often crafted from lambskin, calfskin, suede, coated canvas, and patent leather – just to name a few. What Goes Around Comes Around proudly sources pre-owned and vintage bags that will require the proper care to ensure their longevity and usage for years to come. Over time, even the most pristine bags will begin to build up wear and tear from prolonged use. Thankfully, knowing how to care for your bag will keep your pre-owned or vintage bag in great condition.
Leather
Most designer handbags you’ll come across are made from the finest lambskin and calfskin leathers. These leathers are rich and supple and over the years may acquire scuffs and marks from natural wear and usage. The best tactic to keeping your leather bag fresh and unfaded is to keep it out of direct sunlight. Direct natural sunlight will cause fading and discoloration which may create an unsightly appearance.
To prevent cracking and spots, you may also implore the use of a leather conditioner. Periodically using a conditioner will keep your bag looking fresh and clean. Finally, when you’re not using your leather bag, be sure to store it in a dust bag to prevent any further damage or scuffing.
Patent Leather
While Patent leather bags are beautiful to look at and wear, they take great care to ensure their longevity. Patent Leather bags and accessories are often crafted in a large array of bright and shiny colors that require the proper care to keep them looking their best. Similar to Calfskin and Lambskin leather bags, the best way to ensure your bag is kept fresh and wearable is to keep out of direct sunlight. Patent leather bags will fade and yellow much faster than regular leather bags.
Patent leather is also extremely susceptible to color transfer, so make sure you’re taking care in what you choose to wear with your bag - be wary of bright colors! The same can be said when storing your Patent leather bag. Ensure your bag is kept in a dustbag and away from other bags and clothing to prevent any further color transfer or scuffing.
Suede
Suede bags are always a top trending style and look wonderful when properly cared for. Suede is a type of leather with a soft and fuzzy-like texture made from the underside of animal hides.
Suede cannot get wet! Be mindful of the weather and environment that you wear your bag in as it will require professional care and cleaning to restore the condition. A Suede Brush may be used to remove exterior dirt, oil, and residue. As always, store your bag in a dustbag when not in use.
Embellishments
Often times a beautiful sight to behold, bags with exterior embellishments are meant to be worn out and about to parties and events. To ensure the exterior embellishments – crystals, ruffles, tassels, beads, etc., - are kept safe and securely attached to your bag, be mindful of what you wear with your embellished bag. Knitwear like sweaters may catch the embellishments and damage both your bag and outfit. Keep your bag with embellishments away from anything it may pull on to prevent any further damage or wear.
General Storage Tips
It only takes minutes to ensure your vintage or pre-owned bag is kept safe and wearable for years to come. Utilize these additional tips and tricks to keep your bag safe and clean when in storage. Always ensure any additional straps or handles are tucked safely inside your bag. If possible, stuff your bag with newspaper or bubble wrap to keep its structure and shape. Over time, bags may begin to sag or lose shape.
What Goes Around Comes Around’s collection and curation of vintage and pre-owned bags are sourced from highly regarded clients and vendors, and our buyers ensure that only quality bags are for sale on our website and in our stores. To keep yours wearable and in great quality make sure to utilize these steps and keep our dream of sustainability alive and well!
