5 Ways to Keep Your Handbag Looking New

Emily Jones handbags are a classic you’ll be able to wear forever. The great news is that because they’re made from recycled leather, they’re quite durable and you really could wear it forever if you take good care of it!

Here are 5 ways to keep your handbag looking new:

 1. Don’t overstuff.

Packing your bag to the brim can leave your handbag misshapen, and it also can weaken the closures, such as zippers and snaps. If you consistently put heavy items in your handbag, you also risk wearing out the strap over time.

 2. Be overprotective about spills and stains.

We don’t recommend putting anything liquid in your handbag, but if you must, at least put it in a sealed bag (we recommend reusable bags, of course). Use a table hook accessory so that you don’t need to place your bag on the floor when you’re at a restaurant. Also, be careful about your handbag rubbing against your darker denim clothing, and sometimes even darker clothing in general can bleed.

3. Store it with love.

We won’t go so far as Marie Kondo to say you should empty your bag at the end of the day, but we will say to store it in the storage pouch it came with. This will protect it from dust and debris, as well as friction (for example if you’re sliding it onto a shelf to put it away) and discoloration from sunlight. It’s ok to hang your purse for short periods of time, but it’s not ideal for general storage as it’s tough on the strap.

4. Maintain it regularly.

Every once in a while, it’s important to take everything out of the bag and wipe down the inside with a barely damp cloth to get out any dust and dirt that may be building up in the crevices. It’s ideal to wipe the outside of the bag after every wear before storing it lovingly as we mentioned above, but life is busy, and if you only have time to wipe it down every few wears, there’s no handbag police to stop you.

5. Make repairs quickly.

If you get a stain, the faster you act, the better chance you have of removing it. Blot it gently, never rub. Likewise, if you notice any kind of tear or issue with hardware, take it to a leather repair shop or tailor as soon as you can so that the damage does not spread.

For more care tips for your Emily Jones handbags and accessories, check out our post on How to Care for Recycled Leather.