HS03 - Handbag Hygiene

Well, we all know how much clatter, dust and other little things assemble at the bottom of our handbags. Research shows that 20% of handbags are contaminated with more bacteria than a toilet seat. Therefore, we need to de-clutter, clean, wipe and do all that is necessary to ensure that your handbag is not a habitat to unwanted bacteria.

It might be ink stains, gum wrappers, pieces of Kleenex, cake crumbs, etc, you got to clean it and do it right while at it.

•  Cleaning the Inside

a) Debris

1. Empty all contents out and turn the bag inside out(if the lining is not fixed to the bag) and shake out all debris into the dust bin.
2. Make a mixture of hot water and vinegar. Equal parts.
3. Take a soft cloth and rub the inside of the bag, including all compartments with the mixture.
4. Let the inside air dry before putting it back.

b) Ink Stains

1. The most popular way is using hair spray. First turn the lining inside out. Then place paper towels/tissue on the other side of the lining to avoid discoloring in case the ink leaks. Spray some hairspray on the patch and dab with a cloth or paper towel. If the lining does not pull out, you can spray on the paper towel/cloth and rub on the stain with it. Repeat this process severally until the stain is gone. Then hang it out to dry.

c) Oil Patch

1. Rub a damp cloth with cornstarch(maize flour) and apply gently on the oil patch. This will absorb the oil. Later on, touch it up with a plain damp cloth to remove the residue of the cornstarch.

 d) Odor

1. To get rid of bad smell in the bag, you can place an open container of baking soda inside the bag for a day or two or air it outside for some hours. You can also clean the inside with vinegar and hot water and the smell will be gone.

• Cleaning the Outside

 Most handbags are made of different materials and each needs different cleaning methods. Leather is the one you should be most careful with. Most will do with wiping with sanitizers meant for that material so before cleaning research on the best method to clean that type of bag to ensure longevity.

Precautions:

• Avoid placing your bag on the floor wherever you go. Instead buy a handbag hook to be able to hang the handbag on the table if in a restaurant, on a chair in case you are in a meeting , etc.
• When shopping for handbags, try to go for those with  studs at the base to collect less dirt if you place them on the floor.
• Lastly, wipe away the base on the daily to reduce the germs that you will carry to your home.

As Always,

MDA