Once you have bought a designer handbag, you will want to use it.
You will want people to see it, and you will want to enjoy it as often as possible.
Unfortunately, use also means wear and tear.
Some of the wear and tear can be prevented, some not.
Either way, there are a few things you can do to extend the life of your beautiful designer handbag.
First of all, prevent damage.
Do not place your handbag where it is likely to come in contact with water.
If you do carry bottles full of liquid with you, make sure the container does not leak.
If you carry pens with you, make sure the ink does not leak, and so on.
Just be sensible.
Sometimes there is nothing you can do, and your handbag will sustain some damage.
If and when that happens, apply the proper treatment.
How you take care of your handbag will depend on the material the handbag is made out of.
Usually the right care of handbags will be suggested by the maker of the bag, but there are some general guidelines to follow.
If your bag is made out of finished leather, remove dust and dirt with warm water and a splash of white vinegar.
For ink and other stains, use a white eraser, but be careful not to rub vigorously.
Vigorous rubbing will not remove the stain any better but may damage the surface.
If neither method helps, go to a professional.
Do not use alcohol or saddle soap under any circumstances.
Both will damage the leather.
Unfinished leather is more difficult to take care of since you cannot use water on it without the surface staining.
You can use the white eraser.
Again, do not rub - it will not help in any way.
For grease and oil stains, use cornstarch on both types of leather.
Simply allow it to soak up the grease and brush it off using a soft brush.
If your handbag becomes smelly for some reason, baking soda can be of real help.
Just sprinkle some into your handbag and let it work.
After a while, vacuum the soda out, and the smell will be gone along with the powder.
There are a number of pre-treatments available out there.
These will help prevent any damage to your handbag.
If you are ever in any doubt, or if you have any questions, visit a reputable handbag website or the manufacturer's website and look or ask for advice.
Your handbag needs and deserves tender loving care.