Storing and caring for your favourite handbag is very important if you want it to last and look it's best when you need it! Remember, your bag is a reflection of you. It is the single most worn item in your wardrobe. Keep it clean. The better you treat it, the better it will treat you!
How to Wash a Handbag
A handbag is something that we tend to forget to wash or clean very often, sometimes never. So how can you clean your handbag without damaging it? It's a lot easier than you think, and it can be done with something that you may already have to hand.
 Start by emptying your handbag and turning out all the pockets. Take a lint roller, or wrap your hand in sticky tape, and remove any debris from the inside of the handbag. Once all the debris is removed, inspect the inside of the handbag for stains and/or marks. Or at least once a month, completely empty your bag. Using the fabric nozzle on your vacuum cleaner or a computer keyboard vacuum, gently remove any dust from the corners and seams.
If you have stains or marks try using an alcohol-free baby wipe. If this does not remove the stain then lightly spray a dry cloth with a multi-purpose cleaner and pat the stain, never rub.Clean the remainder of the inside and the outside of the handbag with the alcohol-free baby wipes. If your bag is leather, you may want to follow up with a good leather cleaner in order to keep the leather in good condition.
How to Re-attach a Broken Handbag Strap
Determine the type of material the bag is made out of. Leather bags are more difficult to repair yourself, but cloth bags can easily be fixed with a needle and thread. Get metal fixtures from a crafts store if the straps are attached using metal rings. Most crafts stores have a section with these rings. Re-attach a cloth strap by fitting the strap back into place. Take care to make sure the strap is the right length. Pin it into place and sew it down. While it may not look perfect, handsewing a strap in place is a quick and easy fix.
Repair a thin leather strap with a heavy duty needle and thread. It is tough work on the fingers, but is the simplest way to re-attach any strap. Consider removing the entire strap and fitting the handbag for new straps. This could be a good opportunity to revamp your handbag to have longer or shorter straps, cloth or ribbon straps, wooden handles, or other decorative touches.
Fix unmanageably heavy leather handbags (or just leather straps) at a shoe repair shop. Shoe repairmen have the equipment to deal with any kind of leather repair, not just shoes, and are a great asset for handbag repairs.
Also, don't overstuff a bag; too much weight can weaken stitching or damage straps.
 Bag Liners
If you frequently change handbags why not consider buying a handbag liner made especially for the job.
You can move essential items such as keys and mobile phone in one smooth operation. This is a great way to tackle contents if your handbag has a special lining that you want to protect from make up and other lotions.
Bag Storage
Bags must be able to breathe, use cloth storage bags, or pillow cases.
Also, wrap any metal rings, fobs, chains, etc separately. These items, especially brass, will leave lasting impressions on your bags. It can be as simple as a piece of tissue paper wrapped around the metal or stuck between the metal and the leather. Also wrap tassels to keep them smooth.
Try stuffing your bag to help maintain the shape. Tissue paper is great for this purpose or discarded wrapping paper. If moths are a problem in your area, try putting a cedar ball or two into the bag.
Plastic bags and boxes are not recommended for long-term storage. Keep in a cool, dry place away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.
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How to fix a stuck zipper
Stop zipping as soon as you feel something is caught. Examine the zipper to locate the problem. The inner lining may be caught, so check the inside of the bag. Gently pull the lining away from the zipper. Tug lightly if necessary. Pull at the lining, not at the zipper. Pulling the zipper tab up or down will worsen the problem. If any teeth became separated as you removed the lining, push them back into place. Run your fingers along the length of the zipper and push the lining away from the zipper to prevent future snags. Use a little force to pull the zipper to the bottom. Then re-zip, making sure to avoid the lining as you go. If your handbags' zips have broken, it is still connected one side but has come off the other side, turn the bag inside out so you can see the underside of the zipper. Take the zipper to the beginning, there is a small plastic stop that stops the zipper from going any further. Cut the stop off, take the zipper off and try to put it back together, just like you would by zipping up a jacket.
TOP TIP: Keep these fasteners working smoothly by running a piece of natural beeswax (found in hardware stores) over a zipper's open teeth.
 How to Repair a Purse or Handbag
Clean and remove stains. Spots and stains on vinyl or patent leather can be easily removed by applying baking soda to a damp cloth and rubbing it gently over the spot. Then apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the entire purse and buff thoroughly. It should take the stain right out.
For heavier leather, use saddle soap for cleaning it. For finer leather, try a commercial leather cleaner and conditioner that you can commonly find at a shoe store.
For dark marks on light leather, use a simple pencil eraser. You can even use a basic eraser to take out any spots on suede.
Remove scratches. If you discover scratches on your leather purse, don't panic. Take some soft, creamy shoe polish and buff it thoroughly over the scratches.
Repair tears and holes. A tear in a purse doesn't mean you need to rush right out and buy a new one. For vinyl purses, find a vinyl repair kit at any hardware store. Simply apply a matching vinyl patch to the purse with glue. For leather purses, find a patch of leather from a craft store, or even an old purse or glove. Scrape the edges thin with a razor blade to keep them from forming a ridge. Spread contact cement around the edges of the tear and apply the patch. Rub with a soft cloth after the cement has dried. For suede purses, cut an exact patch so the edges meet exactly and apply it on the wrong side. Then brush the suede to hide the tear.
 Bag Safety
For safety on a day to day basis, always choose a bag with a full zip closure and inner zip pockets so random thieves cannot rifle through it in a moment. Open bags are much easier to lose items from as well as attracting pick-pockets.
If your bag has short handles hold the bag in the crook of your arm or by fully gripping the handles. If you are out in what you know to be a less than safe area and your bag has a shoulder strap, consider wearing the bag across the body, messenger style. You can hold it at the front of your body where you can keep a real eye on it.
MORE TIPS:
* If the weather is really bad and raining consider using a waterproof handbag.
* When carrying a light coloured bag consider using pencils rather than Biros - biro can be difficult to remove.
* Putting sharp-edged and pointed objects in your bag should be avoided to prevent undue tearing of the bag.
* On a day-to-day basis, be careful not to over-pack your bag. The extra weight can weaken stitching and weigh down both the bag’s straps and your back.
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